Arizona's Dark Sky Parks Offer Prime Viewing for Lyrids Meteor Shower
The Lyrid meteor shower, a prominent astronomical event, is currently visible across the United States, with Arizona offering some of the best viewing locations due to its numerous International Dark Sky Places. The shower, which occurs when Earth passes through debris left by comets, is expected to peak on the night of April 21-22, 2026. During this peak, observers can expect to see approximately 18 meteors per hour, with potential surges exceeding 100 meteors per hour. Arizona's top viewing spots include Oracle State Park, Saguaro National Park, and Flagstaff, the world's first International Dark Sky City. The Lyrids are best viewed from midnight to dawn, with the radiant point near the constellation Lyra in the northeastern sky.