Lyrid meteor shower peak

The Lyrid meteor shower reaches its 2026 peak late Monday, April 21, into early Tuesday, April 22, with dark skies expected to help visibility. (science.nasa.gov) NASA says the best viewing starts around 10 p.m. local time on April 21 and runs through the night, while EarthSky says the strongest activity should come after midnight and before dawn on April 22. (jpl.nasa.gov) (earthsky.org) Under dark skies, viewers can expect about 10 to 15 Lyrids an hour, and the American Meteor Society lists the moon at 27% full for the peak night. (earthsky.org) (amsmeteors.org) A meteor shower happens when Earth crosses a trail of dust left behind by a comet, and those tiny bits of debris burn up in the atmosphere as streaks of light. NASA says the Lyrids come from debris shed by Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. (science.nasa.gov) The shower appears to radiate from the constellation Lyra near the bright star Vega, but you do not need to stare at that point to see meteors. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory says to look generally toward the eastern sky as the radiant climbs higher overnight. (jpl.nasa.gov) This year’s setup is favorable because the moon will set after midnight, leaving the peak morning with little moonlight. EarthSky says that will give skywatchers a dark, moonless window before dawn on April 22. (earthsky.org) The Lyrids are one of the oldest recorded meteor showers. NASA says people have observed them for about 2,700 years, and the American Meteor Society describes them as a medium-strength shower that can still produce occasional fireballs. (science.nasa.gov) (amsmeteors.org) The shower stays active beyond the peak, but the sharpest display is expected on the night of April 21 into the morning of April 22. For most viewers, the simplest plan is to get away from city lights, let your eyes adjust, and watch the sky until dawn. (science.nasa.gov) (earthsky.org)