Lyrid Meteor Shower

astronomy · space · meteors · spring

Annual sky show. The Lyrids happen every April when Earth passes through debris left behind by Comet Thatcher. This creates one of the oldest known meteor showers that people have watched for over 2,000 years.

Peak viewing dates. The best nights to watch are around April 22 to 23 each year, when the most meteors streak across the sky. The shower runs from about April 15 to April 29, so you have plenty of chances to catch it.

Look toward Lyra. The meteors appear to come from a spot near the constellation Lyra and the bright star Vega. You don't need to stare directly at Lyra, though - meteors can appear anywhere in the sky.

Cosmic leftovers. The meteors are actually tiny bits of ice and rock, mostly smaller than grains of sand, that burn up in Earth's atmosphere. When they fall at speeds of 110,000 miles per hour, the friction creates the glowing trails we see.