The night sky is due for a wondrous display: the Lyrid meteors. Meteors are also known as shooting stars (despite not being stars) and they create bright, colorful streaks of light as they hit the Earth’s atmosphere. On a regular, clear night, sky watchers can see up to 10 meteors an hour. But during a meteor shower, especially during its peak, they can see so many more. Don’t miss the Lyrid meteors, because experts are saying it’s the last noteworthy meteor shower for 2025.
What are the Lyrid Meteor Showers?
Dutch-American meteor expert Peter Jenniskens describes the Lyrids as “the proverbial swallow of spring for observers in the northern hemisphere,” to Space.com. Especially after “the low meteor rates in the cold months of February and March.” They are named after the constellation Lyra, and are the oldest recorded meteor showers. Historical Chinese texts describe the phenomenon, dating it back over 2,700 years.
Read More: The Last Places for Unspoiled, Starry Nights on Earth
When is the 2025 Lyrid Meteor Shower?
Fortunately, the Lyrids are coming at an optimal time. The shower should peak on Tuesday morning, April 22, when the moonlight is less likely to interfere. This year, sky enthusiasts are in luck because the moon will be a waning crescent that’s only 36% illuminated. Plus, it is not set to rise until around 3:30 AM, leaving the sky dark and the perfect backdrop to an annually stunning celestial display
When is the Peak Time?
In general, the annual Lyrid Meteor Shower is active between April 16 and 25, peaking around on the 22nd or 23rd. However, the peak time is unclear. It may come at 10:30 UT or as late as 18:00 UT. Although the Lyrid Meteor Shower reliably comes every year, it may be difficult to spot depending on the weather conditions in 2025. That being said, the best view comes during predawn hours, just before daybreak. Additionally, Lyrids tend to be brighter and faster than other meteors.
Where to See the Lyrids
Generally, Lyrid meteors are best seen from the northern hemisphere, but they can be viewed from various sites all over the world. In the north, the radiant (the point where the shower seems to come from) rises above the horizon in the northeast around 9 or 10 PM. When it’s predawn, the radiant point will be almost directly overhead. In the south, the radiant won’t rise until predawn, and won’t rise high in the sky, according to Earth Sky. Look northward and you may catch a few fiery sights.
What is a Meteor Shower?
Meteors come from leftover particles from comets and broken asteroids. According to NASA, when comets pass around the sun, they leave a trail of dusty debris. As Earth passes through these trails every year, the bits crash into the atmosphere and disintegrate, creating fiery streaks of color visible on clear nights in different parts of the sky. In the case of the Lyrids, the radiant is near the constellation Lyra.
Read More: Minerals Discovered in Meteorite Could Hold Secrets to Asteroid Formation
How to Watch the Lyrid Meteor Shower
Fortunately for casual sky watchers, no special equipment is needed to watch a meteor shower. It’s also a good opportunity for novices who struggle to catch celestial shows. You can use the Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map on Time and Date to pinpoint the direction of the radiant and stay updated on visibility conditions. Keep in mind that although showers seem to come from the radiant, the meteors can appear all over the night sky.
More Tips for Watching Meteor Showers
- Find a secluded space to view the sky that’s away from light pollution.
- Your eyes take about 20 minutes to get used to the dark, so use red lanterns to keep your vision adjusted.
- Avoid looking at your phone and staring directly at the moon.
- Check the outdoor temperature and dress for the weather.
- Bring a blanket, sleeping bag, or chair to relax in; sometimes it takes time for the shower to finally appear.
More Upcoming 2025 Meteor Showers
- The Alpha Capricornids Meteor Shower: It will run from July 7 through August 15, and peak around July 30–31. The moon will be in the waxing crescent phase, leaving the sky dark and the ideal backdrop for a fiery display, according to Travel and Leisure.
- The Orionids Meteor Shower: Starting from October 2 until November 12, this meteor shower is expected to peak around October 21–22. Although the Orionids aren’t usually fast, they are bright, especially with the shower coinciding with a new moon.
- The Ursids Meteor Shower: 2025 will end with the Ursids, which will coincide with the December solstice. Peaking from December 21–22, the shower can have outbursts from 25 to 100 shooting stars an hour. The moon will be at 2% illumination, so enjoy the show not knowing what to expect next.
Read More: Celestial Wonders of Spring 2025: Blood Moon, Shooting Stars, and More