Lyrid Meteor Shower April: When and Where to Watch

The Lyrid meteor shower, one of the oldest recorded meteor showers in human history, is currently active and will peak on the nights of April 21 and 22, 2026, offering skywatchers the best opportunity to observe up to 20 meteors per hour under optimal conditions.

According to the American Meteor Society and NASA, the shower began on April 14 and will continue through April 30, with its peak activity occurring after 10 p.m. Local time on April 21 and extending into the early hours of April 22. During this window, observers in dark, moonless skies may see between 10 and 20 meteors per hour, with the potential for occasional bright fireballs — sudden, intense flashes of light caused by larger debris particles burning up in the atmosphere.

The Lyrids are caused by Earth passing through debris left behind by Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1), a long-period comet that orbits the sun once every approximately 415 years. As these tiny particles enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed, they vaporize, creating the streaks of light commonly referred to as “shooting stars.” While not as prolific as the Perseids in August, the Lyrids are notable for their fast and bright meteors, a characteristic highlighted by NASA’s meteor shower documentation.