- The Lyrid Meteor Shower is active through most of April, but peaks tonight
- Eagle-eyed stargazers will be able to spot up to 18 shooting stars every hour
It’s something that features on many people’s bucket lists.
And now you might finally get the chance to see a shooting star, with a stunning meteor shower set to peak this evening.
The Lyrid Meteor Shower is active through most of April, but will officially reach its peak tonight.
Eagle-eyed stargazers will be able to spot up to 18 shooting stars overhead every hour – and experts say you don’t even need a telescope!
Here’s everything you need to know about the Lyrid Meteor Shower, including how and when to see it from the UK.
What is the Lyrid Meteor Shower?
The Lyrid Meteor Shower occurs around mid to late April, when the Earth passes through debris from the Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher.
‘These objects are moving extremely fast (about 50km/s) compared to the relatively still atmosphere,’ the Royal Museums Greenwich explained.
‘In fact, they fall so fast that the air in front of them can’t get out of the way fast enough, instead getting rapidly squashed and heating up.
‘This causes the surface of the meteor to reach temperatures as high 1600°C, glowing brightly, which is visible as a short-lived streak of light in the sky.’
The Lyrids will be visible all across the sky, although they appear to originate from the constellation of Lyra, which is where they get their name.
When is the Lyrid Meteor Shower?
This year, the Lyrid Meteor Shower has been running since 14 April, and will end on 30 April.
However, it will reach its maximum this evening.
What’s the best time to see it?
If you can stay awake, the best time to see the meteor shower will be in the early morning of April 23.
‘Wait until after midnight when the radiant point, in the constellation of Lyra, will have risen in the East,’ Royal Museums Greenwich advised.
‘The later in the morning you wait, the higher the radiant will rise and the fewer meteors will be hidden below the horizon.
‘But the closer you get to sunrise the brighter the sky is going to become, so plan accordingly!’
Tips for seeing shooting stars
If you’re heading out to see the meteor shower, the key thing is finding a dark site with an unobstructed view of the sky.
Wrap up warm and bring plenty of snacks – patience is key!
‘Simply fill your view with the sky and wait,’ Royal Museums Greenwich said.
‘Lying on the ground is a great way to see as much as possible – blanket optional but highly recommended.
‘Reclining deckchairs make an even more comfortable way to view the sky.
‘Also, even though summer is rapidly approaching, remember to wrap up warm!’
What if I miss it?
If you miss the Lyrids, there’s good news – there’s another shower in just a few days!
The Eta Aquariids began on April 19 and run through until May 28.
However, the peak is on May 6, so make sure to mark this down in your diary.
Dr. Thomas Hughes is a UK-based scientist and science communicator who makes complex topics accessible to readers. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
