Stunning Lyrid Meteor Shower to Light Up the Night Sky This April; Here’s When and How to Watch

A celestial spectacle is underway this April as the Lyrid meteor shower returns for the year, providing astronomy enthusiasts an opportunity to observe one of the oldest meteor showers known to humankind.

With good weather conditions at night, the Lyrid meteor shower can be observed, with about 10 to 15 meteors visible per hour.

Peak of the Lyrid Meteor Shower

The Lyrid meteor shower will reach its peak between April 21 and April 22, 2026, with the Moon at about 27% illumination, making for favorable viewing conditions.

It will be most visible in the Northern Hemisphere, where the radiant is higher in the sky. As such, California’s location in the Northern Hemisphere makes the event more visible in the region.

Favorable Time to Watch Lyrid Meteor Shower in California

The best time to watch this astronomical phenomenon for people living in California is on April 22, from after midnight till dawn, when the radiant will be at the highest. Darker nighttime skies will lead to better visibility.

The radiant rises during the evening and reaches its highest point by dawn, making the period between midnight and dawn the most favorable for viewing. There will also be another opportunity to catch a glimpse of the shower in the early morning hours, around 4 to 5 a.m., in the northeastern sky near the star Vega.

The weather conditions allow enthusiasts to observe at least 10 to 15 meteors per hour. On some occasions, the Lyrids produce outbursts with rates of  up to 100 meteor per hour.

Also, it should be pointed out that the meteors will be very luminous, some will be seen as fireballs, creating a trail after themselves.

Where Should One Look In The Sky For Lyrid Meteor Showers?

These meteoroids are said to originate from the constellation Lyra, near Vega. Look toward the northeastern sky. However, note that meteors can appear anywhere, not just near the constellation.

The meteor shower will become more visible as the night progresses. For the best view, it is advised that one selects an area that is free from urban light pollution. 

The ideal way to watch is by lying on your back while facing east. Allow at least 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness.

Lyrids Overview

The Lyrids are a relatively ancient meteor shower, with a history of nearly 2,700 years based on recorded Chinese observations, according to NASA.

The Lyrids occur each April as Earth passes through a trail of particles from Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher). This comet orbits the Sun roughly every 422 years and has not returned since its 1861 visit. At present, it has completed only about half of its orbit.

There are two distinct features associated with the Lyrids. First, some meteors may shine brightly enough to create fireballs that illuminate the night sky and briefly cast shadows. Second, the Lyrids occasionally display outbursts, roughly every 60 years, due to denser regions in the comet’s debris stream.