Every year, around the second week of April, Earth passes thru a stream of debris left behind by a comet, resulting in the Lyrid meteor shower. This annual event offers a captivating display of shooting stars, also known as meteors, streaking across the night sky.

The Comet’s Legacy

The Lyrid meteor shower originates from the tail of comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher,a celestial wanderer discovered in 1861. This comet has an extensive orbit of 422 years around the sun. It will not return to the inner solar system untill 2283.

What to Expect

According to the International Meteor Organization (IMO) and NASA,the Lyrid meteor shower is known for its fast and bright meteors. While not as prolific as the Perseid meteor shower in August, the Lyrids offer a reliable and gorgeous display.

The shower typically produces a rate of 10 to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. Visibility is generally better in the Northern Hemisphere, though observers in the Southern Hemisphere can still catch a glimpse, albeit with a lower meteor rate.

While most meteors leave short trails of light, some can create breathtaking “fireballs” as they burn up in the atmosphere.

Expert Advice on Viewing

The Royal Astronomical Society offers guidance on how to best observe the Lyrid meteor shower. Here’s a helpful video:

Robert Massey, Deputy Executive Director of the Royal Astronomical Society, explains that does not need special equipment, such as a telescope, to observe the phenomenon. Instead, he advises to Seek the constellation of the lyre through its bright star Vega and wait for the rain of stars.

NASA recommends that Best hours of observation are after the “born” of the moon and before dawn, and suggests ideally choosing a darker area, far from the bright pollution of cities.