The Lyrids meteor shower is finally here, providing sky-gazers with a reason to keep their chins up after months without a spectacular display. The shower began on April 17 and will last until Saturday, with the densest concentration of meteors expected to fly by Monday night into Tuesday.
According to Dr. Bill Cooke, lead for NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office, careful observers in the Northern Hemisphere can expect around five streaking lights per hour during the peak hours. However, light from the waning crescent moon may make it harder to spot the celestial show.
For optimal viewing, Cooke recommends finding a location with minimal light pollution and allowing your eyes 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. It’s also essential to avoid looking at your cell phone, as the bright screen can destroy your night vision.
The Lyrids are one of the oldest known meteor showers, dating back 2,700 years, and originate from the parent comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher). While they tend to be relatively predictable each year, occasional outbursts of 100 meteors per hour occur unpredictably, averaging about every 60 years.
If you miss the peak of the Lyrid shower, there are several other meteor showers to look forward to in 2025. The American Meteor Society and EarthSky have predicted peak dates for upcoming meteor showers, including the Eta Aquariids, Southern Delta Aquariids, and Perseids.
Additionally, this year offers eight full moons to witness, with supermoons occurring in October, November, and December. Finally, two eclipse events will take place in 2025: a total lunar eclipse on September 7-8 and a partial solar eclipse on September 21.
Remember to plan ahead and find the best viewing spots for these celestial events. With the right preparation and patience, you can witness some of the most breathtaking displays in the universe.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/21/science/lyrids-meteor-shower-april-2025/index.html