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Meteor ShowerOne of the oldest known showers

Lyrid Meteor Shower

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Lyrid Meteor Shower

Record
Some attribution details are unavailable.
Known details

International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/P. Horálek (Institute of Physics in Opava) / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

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Northern Hemisphere, after midnightWhere it's visible
~18 / hourPeak rate
YesVisible from the U.S.
96%Moon at peak
Viewing advice

Northern hemisphere favoured. Lyra climbs high after midnight in the north and stays low from southern latitudes.

The best time to see Lyrid Meteor Shower in 2027 is April 22-23, 2027. Timing status: Predicted dates.

Ancient dust from Comet Thatcher lights up spring.

One of the oldest recorded showers, the Lyrids bring a modest but reliable spring display, with the occasional bright fireball. Best after midnight, well away from city lights.

Moon at the peak: waning gibbous, 96% lit (poor). A near-full moon floods the sky, so only the brightest meteors will show. Better in a darker-moon year.

Why it happens

Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher)
Inclined 80° to Earth's orbit. Every April, Earth reaches the node where this comet's dust crosses its path, and the debris burns up as the shower.
3D by Ian Webster

Where to view it

Best seen far from city lights. Tap a spot to plan a trip around it.

Brighter = more light pollution · NASA Black Marble
Lyrid Meteor Shower: The longer you look at this image of Cerro Pachón in Chile, the more you see
Photo information

Lyrid Meteor Shower

Photo
International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/P. Horálek (Institute of Physics in Opava)
Licence
CC BY 4.0
Original
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Changes
Cropped

In season during April 22-23, 2027

Natural events whose season is on while this peaks, so one trip could catch both the sky and the ground.

Next time: Lyrid Meteor Shower, April 22-23, 2028

Related cosmic events

More sky events connected by phenomenon, region, or travel window.

Frequently asked questions

When is Lyrid Meteor Shower 2027?

Lyrid Meteor Shower 2027: April 22-23, 2027.

When is Lyrid Meteor Shower 2028?

Lyrid Meteor Shower 2028: April 22-23, 2028.