How and when to watch the Lyrid meteor shower
CNN • • science
Key Points:
- The Lyrid meteor shower is expected to peak on Wednesday around 4 p.m. ET, with the best viewing opportunity for the Northern Hemisphere occurring from Tuesday night until dawn Wednesday morning.
- The waxing crescent moon will provide dark skies ideal for viewing, and observers may see 10 to 20 meteors per hour under favorable conditions, though the shower is considered medium strength and meteors are moderately fast and faint.
- The Lyrids originate from comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher) and have been observed for over 2,700 years, making them the oldest known meteor shower; occasional surges of up to 100 meteors per hour occur roughly every 60 years, with the next expected around 2040.
- For optimal viewing, experts recommend finding a dark location away from light pollution, allowing eyes to adjust for about 45 minutes, and avoiding looking at bright screens to preserve night vision.
- Following the Lyrids, other notable meteor showers in 2026 include the Eta Aquariids (May 5-6), Perseids (August 12-13), and Geminids (December 13-14), offering multiple opportunities for sky-watchers throughout the year.
