Lyrid Meteor Shower to Illuminate U.S. Skies with Annual Celestial Display
The Lyrid meteor shower, an astronomical event observed for over 2,700 years, is set to peak on April 22, 2026. This annual meteor shower is known for its fast and bright meteors, with the best viewing times occurring from the late evening of April 21 through dawn on April 22. The shower is expected to peak at 3:15 p.m. Eastern time, according to EarthSky. The moon, in its waxing crescent phase, will set a couple of hours after midnight, providing a dark sky for optimal viewing conditions. The Lyrids typically produce 10 to 20 meteors per hour, although outbursts of up to 100 meteors per hour have been recorded. The meteors originate from debris left by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which orbits the sun every 415 years.