Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks April 21-22, 2026

The Lyrid meteor shower, one of the oldest recorded celestial events, began its annual display this week and will reach its peak on the night of April 21 into the early morning of April 22, 2026, offering skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere a chance to see up to 20 swift streaks of light per hour under clear, dark conditions.

Active from April 15 through April 29, the shower produces meteors as Earth plows through the dusty trail left by Comet C/1861 G1, also known as Comet Thatcher. This long-period comet, discovered in 1861, orbits the sun every 415 years and last passed near Earth around that time; it will not return until approximately 2278. According to NASA, the debris consists of small particles that burn up upon entering Earth's atmosphere at speeds of about 29 miles per second, creating bright flashes visible to the naked eye. While typical rates hover around 10 to 20 meteors per hour, the Lyrids are known for occasional outbursts that can surge to 100 or more, as seen in historical events in Virginia in 1803, Greece in 1922, Japan in 1945, and the United States in 1982.

Observers can spot Lyrids radiating from a point near the bright star Vega in the constellation...