Lyrid meteor shower at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Activity window | about April 14 to April 30 |
| Peak | around April 22 |
| Zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) | about 18 (occasionally higher) |
| Radiant | Lyra, near the bright star Vega |
| Parent body | comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher |
| Entry speed | about 49 km/s |
These values follow the International Meteor Organization (IMO) calendar. For dates of every major shower, see the meteor shower calendar.
A shower with a long history
The Lyrids are one of the oldest known meteor showers. Ancient Chinese records describe what is generally thought to be a Lyrid display more than 2,600 years ago. In modern times the shower was linked to comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. That comet takes several centuries to orbit the Sun, so no one alive today will see it return.
Over the centuries, the comet’s dust has spread along its orbit, and Earth passes through it each April.
Normal years and outbursts
In most years the Lyrids are a moderate shower, with a ZHR of about 18. From a dark site that usually means 10 to 15 meteors an hour around the peak. Lyrids are medium-fast and fairly bright on average, and some leave persistent trains.
Now and then, though, the shower surprises observers. In 1803 observers in the United States reported a strong display. In 1982 American observers saw a brief outburst with a ZHR close to 100. Such outbursts are rare and hard to predict, which is part of the shower’s appeal.
Where to look
The radiant lies near Vega, one of the brightest stars in the sky, in the small constellation Lyra. From mid-northern latitudes Vega rises in the northeast in the evening and is high overhead in the hours before dawn. That makes the period from about midnight until the start of morning twilight the best time.
Observers in the Southern Hemisphere can see some Lyrids too, but the radiant stays lower, so rates are smaller.
As always, you do not need to stare at the radiant. Watch a broad area of sky. If you trace a meteor back and it points toward Vega, it is a Lyrid.
Moonlight
The Lyrids are a modest shower, so a bright Moon can take away a large share of what you would otherwise see. Check the moon phases for late April. The moonrise and moonset times for your area will tell you whether you can find a dark window before dawn.
Viewing tips
- Find Vega first. It is the brightest star high in the east after midnight in late April.
- Head for dark skies. Modest showers reward dark sites the most.
- Give your eyes time to adapt. About 20 to 30 minutes, without phone screens.
- Lie back and look up. A reclining chair or blanket lets you take in a wide stretch of sky.
- Dress in layers. Spring nights can be much colder than spring days.
- Watch the nights around the peak. The maximum is fairly short, but meteors appear for several nights around it.
For more of what is above the horizon on a particular night, see the sky tonight.