Scroll down in the article for the 4 viewing tips.

One of the oldest recorded celestial events will light up the night sky this week as the Lyrid meteor shower reaches its peak. Read more below.

The Lyrids, active each year from April 16 through April 25, are expected to peak in the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 22, 2026, with the best viewing window beginning late Tuesday night.

Skywatchers may see 10 to 30 meteors per hour under ideal conditions, though occasional surges have historically produced even higher counts.

The Lyrids have been observed for more than 2,600 years, with records dating back to 687 B.C.E. by Chinese astronomers. The meteors originate from debris left behind by Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher), a long-period comet that passes through the inner solar system roughly every 415 years.

As Earth moves through this trail of dust and rocky particles, the debris enters the atmosphere at speeds of up to 110,000 miles per hour, burning up and creating the bright streaks commonly known as shooting stars.

The best time to view the Lyrids is after midnight through predawn hours, when the meteor shower’s radiant point is highest in the sky. The radiant is located in the constellation Lyra, near the bright star Vega in the northeastern sky.

Experts recommend looking slightly away from the radiant to catch longer, more visible streaks.

This year, viewing conditions are favorable, as the moon will set after midnight, leaving darker skies during peak activity.

4 Tips for viewing:

🔦Find a dark location away from city lights

⏳Allow 20–30 minutes for your eyes to adjust

🔭No telescope or special equipment is needed

🫸🏽Be patient — meteors often appear in bursts

While the Lyrids are considered a moderate meteor shower compared to others throughout the year, they are known for producing bright meteors and occasional glowing trails that linger briefly in the sky.

For those willing to stay up late — or wake up early — the annual event offers a reliable and historic springtime sky show.