CONNECTED BY EARTH: NASA’s investment in space – both the unique Earth science conducted in orbit and the technology developed by living in space and exploring the solar system and universe – returns benefits every day, particularly when it comes to environmental issues.

From documenting and understanding Earth’s changing climate to creating green technologies, NASA helps us live more sustainably on our home planet and adapt to its natural and human-caused changes.

To celebrate Earth Day this year (April 22), NASA is hosting a virtual Earth Day event from Wednesday through Saturday.

The event platform will feature live presentations by NASA scientists, as well as interactive chats with Earth science experts.

Visitors can explore the connections between Earth’s atmosphere, water cycle, forests, fields, cities, ice caps, and climate through videos and interactive science content, a kid-friendly fun zone, a scavenger hunt, hundreds of downloadable resources, and more.

Some content also will be available in Spanish.

Registration is free and open to the public. To participate, visit: http://go.nasa.gov/JoinEarthDay2021.

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METEOR SHOWER: The Lyrids Meteor Shower is happening this week. The chance to catch the view began Monday and will last through Friday, with Thursday the optimal day to watch.

The moon is waxing – staying out longer after dark each night – so you’ll want to watch the time of moonset carefully.

No matter where you are on Earth, the best time to watch is typically between midnight and dawn. The Lyrids are active each year from about April 16 to 25.

It’s the shower that always breaks the meteor drought that happens each year from January through mid-April, according to EarthSky.org.

The Lyrids are always welcome, even though the shower produces 10 to 15 meteors per hour at the peak of the event.