The Lyrid meteor shower is about to streak across the night sky, peaking between Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 22. This year’s show will be visible worldwide, but clouds and storms may spoil views in parts of the U.S.
Formed from debris left by comet Thatcher, the Lyrids are the oldest known meteor shower, observed for thousands of years. The meteor shower becomes active every April as our planet passes through the debris trail.
When to see the Lyrids:
– Peak activity: Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 22
– Best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during midnight to dawn hours
Where to see it:
– Look above the horizon toward the northeast between 9 to 10 p.m. ET towards Vega, a bright star in the constellation Lyra.
– Avoid city lights for better views.
Cloud forecast:
– Storms and clouds expected across the eastern U.S. during peak shower activity.
– Clear skies ideal for viewing in the West Coast and Southwest U.S., including central Texas.
Expected meteors per hour:
– 10-20 meteors visible during peak hours, with occasional fireballs producing bright flashes.
The Lyrids are composed of debris from comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which takes nearly 416 years to orbit the sun. The meteor shower has been observed for over 2,700 years, making it a historic event for stargazers.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/04/18/lyrid-meteor-shower-2025-peak-time-forecast/83113292007