The Lyrid meteor shower is best viewed from dark, open skies in the Northern Hemisphere, away from city lights, in the hours after sunset or in the pre-dawn hours around the peak.
Where to see it now
- Northern Hemisphere locations with clear skies and low light pollution are ideal (e.g., rural areas, dark sky parks).
- Peak times for 2026 were expected around April 22, with visibility typically best after midnight and before dawn as the radiant near Vega in Lyra rises high.[4][7]
Tips to maximize your view
- Check local moon phases: a dim crescent moon is favorable; bright moonlight can wash out fainter meteors.
- Find a location with an unobstructed horizon in the direction of Lyra/ Vega; give your eyes 15–30 minutes to adapt.[1][4]
- Bring a reclining chair, warm clothing, and a thermos; avoid viewing from bright urban areas.[9][1]
Illustrative expectation
- You can typically expect around 15–20 meteors per hour under good conditions, with occasional brighter fireballs during peak windows.[1][4]
If you’d like, tell me your current city or a nearby dark-sky location and I’ll suggest specific viewing sites and the best local times for this week.[4]
Sources
The Lyrid meteor shower is active between April 16 and April 25. Here's how to see it.
www.space.comConditions are good to spot spring's first display of shooting stars
www.independent.co.ukThe Lyrid meteor shower will put on a show this weekend assuming the moon and light pollution don't get in the way.
www.space.comAlthough clouds and the spring's 'pink moon' will thwart some stargazers, many parts of the UK will see the oldest meteor shower known to man.
news.sky.comThe ancient cosmic spectacle will be able to viewed every night until April 25
www.gbnews.comThe Lyrids are back in April 2026! Find the peak time, where the meteor shower is visible, and the best local hours to watch – plus a quick checklist to catch the most “shooting stars.”
starwalk.spaceA nice time to look to the skies
theweek.comThe Lyrid Meteor Shower is making its annual appearance, promising a spectacular display of fast and bright meteors lighting up the sky. Visible from most parts of the world, this celestial event peaks between April 16 and April 25, with the best views anticipated on April 22. Don't miss this enchanting astronomical experience!
opentools.aiThe Lyrids are back! Here's where to look and how to spot these shooting stars.
www.space.comNEW YORK (AP) — This year’s Lyrid meteor shower is getting a boost thanks to a dim crescent moon. Skywatchers could see 10 to 20 shooting stars per hour soar across the spring sky, according to NASA, when the fiery display peaks Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. The show will be visible across the globe, but views will be best in the Northern Hemisphere. And there’s no risk of the crescent moon photobombing the Lyrid shower. It’ll set before…
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