Buckle up, space fans—a meteor shower is on the way. While it’s nothing to be scared of, it is a unique astrological event you won’t want to miss. From April 17 through April 26, Earth will pass through the debris trail of the Lyrid meteor shower. To help you catch a glimpse, we’ve broken down where, when, and how to watch this dazzling display.
What is the Lyrid meteor shower?
Before diving into how to watch this celestial event, it helps to understand what it is and where it comes from. According to NASA, the Lyrids are “one of the oldest known meteor showers,” first recorded as far back as 687 BC—making observations of this event nearly 2,700 years old.
Like all meteor showers, the Lyrids originate from debris left behind by comets and asteroids. As Earth travels through this trail of dust and rocky fragments each year during its orbit around the Sun, those particles burn up in our atmosphere, creating the bright streaks we see in the sky.
Every April, the Lyrids put on their annual display, typically producing 10 to 20 meteors per hour at their peak, which usually falls around April 21-22. However, on rare occasions, the shower intensifies with as many as 100 meteors visible per hour, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. With a bit of luck, this could be one of those standout years.
Where to see the Lyrid meteor shower
The good news: the Lyrid meteor shower is visible from both hemispheres, though it tends to be more active in the Northern Hemisphere. For the best view, NASA recommends heading to a spot far from city lights and giving your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness—this makes it much easier to spot faint meteors streaking across the sky. The shower is typically visible from moonset until just before dawn, offering a wide viewing window.
While Earth passes through the Lyrids’ debris trail from April 17 to 26, the best nights to watch are April 21 and 22, when activity peaks. For optimal visibility, The Old Farmer’s Almanac suggests looking away from the Moon as its brightness can wash out the night sky.
Upcoming meteor showers
If you miss the Lyrid meteor shower, don’t worry—there are plenty more celestial shows to come this year. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac Instagram page, the next meteor shower is set to peak on May 4. To avoid missing out, mark your calendar and set aside some time to step outside and catch the display.
Kate (she/her) is the associate editor of The Pioneer Woman Magazine. She writes features, commerce, and travel content. Kate brings nearly five years of home, food, and lifestyle experience to the role, including time as editorial assistant at Good Housekeeping. Her bylines have appeared in Woman’s Day, Food Network Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Dream Kitchens & Baths, and more. When she’s not writing, Kate can be found lazing in the park with a sudoku in hand.
