How to Observe the Lyrids Meteor Shower This April

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:54:00 +0200

The Lyrids meteor shower, a classic celestial event, will reach its peak from the night of April 21 to the early morning of April 22, 2026. Visible primarily from the northern hemisphere, this spectacle will show 15 to 20 meteors per hour under dark skies. The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Lyra, and viewers can locate this radiant by finding Vega, the fifth-brightest star in the sky. Observers should allow their eyes 20-30 minutes to adjust to the darkness for optimal viewing. The shower will be visible from 10 PM to dawn, with the early morning hours offering the best conditions. The moon’s early crescent phase will minimally interfere with the view. The Lyrids are caused by Earth passing through debris left behind by comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher). After the Lyrids, other meteor showers like the Eta Aquarids and Perseids will follow throughout the year, offering more opportunities for skywatchers to enjoy these spectacular events.