Skywatchers across the Northern Hemisphere will get a chance to witness two celestial events this week: the annual Lyrid meteor shower and a planetary alignment featuring several bright planets. The Lyrids, known as one of the oldest and most consistent meteor showers, will reach their peak between the night of April 21 and the early morning of April 22, 2025.
Here’s what you need to know to catch this year’s cosmic show.
What is the Lyrid Meteor Shower?
The Lyrid meteor shower occurs every April as Earth passes through a stream of debris left by Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher), a long-period comet with a 415-year orbit around the Sun. The event has been observed for over 2,600 years, with Chinese astronomers documenting it as early as 687 B.C.E. According to historical records, they described the meteors as “stars falling like rain.”
As per NASA, the Lyrids occur when particles from the comet’s trail — often no larger than grains of sand — enter Earth’s atmosphere at speeds approaching 30 miles per second. These high-speed collisions create frictional heat, causing the particles to vaporize in bright flashes we recognize as meteors or “shooting stars.”
When to watch
The 2025 Lyrid meteor shower is active from April 17 to April 26, but the best time to view it will be the night of April 21 into the early morning hours of April 22. That’s when the shower is expected to reach its peak activity, according to the American Meteor Society.
Under dark, clear skies far from city lights, viewers can expect to see up to 15 meteors per hour. The Moon will be a waning crescent — about 34% illuminated — and will rise around 3:30 a.m. local time, meaning sky conditions should remain relatively dark for most of the night, improving visibility during the earlier hours of the peak.
Where to look
The radiant point of the Lyrids — the point from which meteors appear to originate — lies near the constellation Lyra, which rises in the northeast. Lyra contains Vega, the fifth brightest star in the sky. As the night progresses, this radiant climbs higher overhead, providing better viewing conditions for Northern Hemisphere observers.
However, you don’t need to locate Lyra to enjoy the meteor shower. Meteors will streak across all parts of the sky, so the best strategy is to find an open, dark location with as wide a view of the sky as possible. Avoid city lights, buildings, and trees that might obstruct your view.
How to watch the Lyrids
No special equipment is required to enjoy the Lyrids. In fact, using telescopes or binoculars can limit your field of view. However to enhance your experience it will be advised to find a dark spot in rural areas or high ground. Further, keeping a close eye on the weather forecast of the area can help in a successful experience.
Here’s what you need to know to catch this year’s cosmic show.
What is the Lyrid Meteor Shower?
The Lyrid meteor shower occurs every April as Earth passes through a stream of debris left by Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher), a long-period comet with a 415-year orbit around the Sun. The event has been observed for over 2,600 years, with Chinese astronomers documenting it as early as 687 B.C.E. According to historical records, they described the meteors as “stars falling like rain.”
As per NASA, the Lyrids occur when particles from the comet’s trail — often no larger than grains of sand — enter Earth’s atmosphere at speeds approaching 30 miles per second. These high-speed collisions create frictional heat, causing the particles to vaporize in bright flashes we recognize as meteors or “shooting stars.”
When to watch
The 2025 Lyrid meteor shower is active from April 17 to April 26, but the best time to view it will be the night of April 21 into the early morning hours of April 22. That’s when the shower is expected to reach its peak activity, according to the American Meteor Society.
Under dark, clear skies far from city lights, viewers can expect to see up to 15 meteors per hour. The Moon will be a waning crescent — about 34% illuminated — and will rise around 3:30 a.m. local time, meaning sky conditions should remain relatively dark for most of the night, improving visibility during the earlier hours of the peak.
Where to look
The radiant point of the Lyrids — the point from which meteors appear to originate — lies near the constellation Lyra, which rises in the northeast. Lyra contains Vega, the fifth brightest star in the sky. As the night progresses, this radiant climbs higher overhead, providing better viewing conditions for Northern Hemisphere observers.
However, you don’t need to locate Lyra to enjoy the meteor shower. Meteors will streak across all parts of the sky, so the best strategy is to find an open, dark location with as wide a view of the sky as possible. Avoid city lights, buildings, and trees that might obstruct your view.
How to watch the Lyrids
No special equipment is required to enjoy the Lyrids. In fact, using telescopes or binoculars can limit your field of view. However to enhance your experience it will be advised to find a dark spot in rural areas or high ground. Further, keeping a close eye on the weather forecast of the area can help in a successful experience.
You may also like
2 killed, 6 injured in US university shooting (Ld)
NCW chief arrives in Bengal for probe into Murshidabad violence, says aim is to "boost confidence among scared women"
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou sends clear message to critics after Eintracht Frankfurt win
Jesus death and resurrection films to watch this Easter weekend and where to stream
Perishers - 18th April 2025
