Lyrid Meteor Shower Peak

This year on April 22, the Lyrid meteor shower reaches its peak, continuing the oldest meteor tradition on record: people have watched these spring meteors for about 2,700 years. The first recorded sighting dates to 687 BC, when Chinese astronomers described stars falling like rain.

APR22

Thursday, April 22Every year on April 22

days to go

Roots: The Lyrids are debris from comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, a long-period comet that takes about 415 years to orbit the Sun and was last seen in 1861.
Also on Apr 22: International Girls in Ict Day
Hashtag: #LyridMeteorShowerPeak

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3 ways to celebrate

AFTER MIDNIGHT

Watch After Midnight

The best viewing is after midnight and before dawn on April 23, when the radiant near Vega climbs higher in the sky. The predicted peak falls at 01:11 UTC, the evening of April 22 in Central Time.

OUTSIDE

Hide the Moon

A bright waning gibbous Moon competes with the shower in 2027 and washes out all but the brightest meteors. Put the Moon behind a building or a tree so its glare stays out of your eyes.

OUTSIDE

Find Vega First

The Lyrids radiate from the constellation Lyra near the bright star Vega. Locate Vega first, then scan the wide sky around it.

Plan ahead

Lyrid Meteor Shower Peak is observed on April 22 every year. Here is where it lands for the next ten years, handy for planners, marketers and party people.

2026Wed, Apr 22this year

2027Thu, Apr 22

2028Sat, Apr 22

2029Sun, Apr 22

2030Mon, Apr 22

2031Tue, Apr 22

2032Thu, Apr 22

2033Fri, Apr 22

2034Sat, Apr 22

2035Sun, Apr 22

2036Tue, Apr 22

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Fast facts

A typical Lyrid peak produces about 18 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.

Lyrids occasionally surprise with outbursts of up to about 100 meteors per hour, recorded in 1803, 1922, 1945, and 1982.

The story

The Lyrids are the oldest known meteor shower, observed for about 2,700 years. The first recorded sighting was made by Chinese astronomers in 687 BC, who described stars falling like rain, and skywatchers have been looking for them every spring since.

Read the full story

The parent body is comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, a long-period comet that takes about 415 years to orbit the Sun and was last seen in 1861. Its debris radiates from the constellation Lyra near the bright star Vega, arriving at about 30 miles (49 kilometers) per second. A typical peak produces about 18 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.

The Lyrids also keep a wild card in the deck. They occasionally surprise watchers with outbursts of up to about 100 meteors per hour; heavier displays were recorded in 1803 in Virginia, 1922 in Greece, 1945 in Japan, and 1982 in the United States. Nobody can promise an outburst, but the possibility hangs over every Lyrid night.

In 2027 the shower peaks on the night of April 22-23, with the predicted peak at 01:11 UTC on April 23, the evening of April 22 in Central Time. Viewing is challenging this year: the full Moon falls on April 20, so a bright waning gibbous Moon washes out all but the brightest meteors. Watch after midnight and before dawn, and put the Moon behind a building or a tree if you can.