While some astronomical events like the blood lunar eclipse only come around once every couple of years, there’s at last one we can count on for an annual burst of celestial magic. The Lyrid meteor shower takes place in April each year, illuminating the sky with dazzling light shows and – if you’re lucky – even shooting stars.
It’s expected to peak this weekend, on Saturday, April 22, so you’ve got some time do start planning ahead. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Lyrids display.
What is the Lyrid meteor shower?
The April Lyrids is a meteor shower taking place from April 14 to April 30 each year. It creates vast light shows in the night sky, due to meteors entering the Earth’s atmosphere, travelling at speed, and then vapourising.
When does it start in the UK and when does it peak?
Each year, the Lyrids appear between April 14 and April 30. In 2023, the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower in the UK is expected to take place on the night of Saturday, April 22.
How can I watch the Lyrid meteor shower in the UK?
To start, you’ll have to plan to be up in the early morning, after midnight, when the radiant point will rise and you’ll have a better chance of spotting the meteors. You’ll want to be as far away from any lights (sorry, Londoners), and allow some time for your eyes to adjust to darkness and look towards the darkest part of the sky. Good luck!
When’s the next meteor shower?
Missed out on the Lyrids? The Eta Aquariids, active between April 19 and May 28, are due to peak before dawn on May 6 with up to 50 meteors per hour.
Plus: These are officially the UK’s best places to go stargazing.
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