Where and when to see the Lyrid meteor shower peak
AP News • • science
Key Points:
- The Lyrid meteor shower will peak Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with 10 to 20 shooting stars visible per hour, aided by a dim crescent moon that sets before the event begins.
- The shower is caused by Earth passing through debris left by comet Thatcher, an icy comet that returns every 415 years, with the Lyrids being one of the oldest recorded meteor showers dating back over 2,500 years.
- Best viewing conditions are in the Northern Hemisphere after midnight, away from city lights, with meteors appearing to radiate from the constellation Lyra in the northeastern sky.
- Observers are advised to allow 15 to 30 minutes for their eyes to adjust to the dark and to avoid looking at phones to enhance visibility of the meteors.
- The next major meteor shower will be the Eta Aquarids in early May, originating from debris left by Halley’s comet.
