When and where to see the Lyrid meteor shower’s peak

The 2025 Lyrid meteor shower is expected to peak overnight Monday, April 21, into the morning of Tuesday, April 22, according to NASA.

During the Lyrids’ peak, 10 to 20 fast and bright meteors can be seen per hour, according to NASA. Local forecasts will include detailed information on how clear the night sky will be in various locations.

Where is the Lyrid meteor shower visible?

The meteors are best seen from the Northern Hemisphere, though the shower can also be observed from south of the equator, according to NASA.

For the best experience, viewers should face roughly east and lie down outside in a safe, dark place away from bright lights. The meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.

What time is the Lyrid meteor shower?

Meteors will be visible from about 10:30 p.m. local time on April 21 until dawn the next day, with the best viewing happening around 5 a.m. on April 22.

NASA advises viewers give their eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the dark so that they can spot meteors.

What are meteors?

Meteors, space rocks that enter Earth’s atmosphere, streak through the sky every day, but meteor showers — when many meteors hit Earth’s atmosphere over a short period of time — happen less frequently. Meteors leave streaks of light behind them as they pass through the atmosphere, giving them the appearance of a shooting star.

While most meteors burn up as they fall toward Earth, some survive the trip and are then considered meteorites.

What makes the Lyrids unique?

The Lyrids can be surprising; while viewers can expect 10 to 20 meteors per hour during peak, heavier showers have seen as many as 100 meteors per hour, according to NASA.

The meteors don’t usually leave glowing trains behind them, but they can produce occasional bright flashes.

Lyrid meteors originated from comet C/1861 G1, which was discovered on April 5, 1861, by A. E. Thatcher.

They’re named for the constellation Lyra and the meteors appear to radiate from an area near the star Vega, the brightest star in this constellation.

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