Meteor shower
Lyrids 2027: when and where to see them
The Lyrids peak on the night of 22–23 April 2027. Under a dark sky you could see up to 18 meteors an hour.
Is it clear for the Lyrids tonight? Check your sky- Peak night
- 22–23 April 2027
- Meteors an hour (ZHR)
- up to 18
- Best time
- after midnight
- Moon
- 95% lit
- Radiant
- Lyra
- Speed
- 49 km/s
The Moon this year
The Moon is 95% lit and up for most of the night. It will hide the fainter meteors, so expect fewer than usual and look away from it.
About the Lyrids
The Lyrids are one of the oldest recorded showers: Chinese observers described them more than 2,600 years ago. Rates are modest, but they sometimes surprise with outbursts and produce bright fireballs. The radiant is near Vega, one of the brightest stars of spring nights.
Where to look
The meteors seem to fly out of a point in Lyra, the radiant, but they can appear anywhere in the sky. Look about halfway up, at a wide area of sky away from the Moon and street lights, and give your eyes 20 minutes to adjust to the dark.
How to watch
- Get away from town lights if you can. A dark sky shows several times as many meteors.
- Lie back on a mat or a reclining chair, so you can watch a big piece of sky without craning your neck.
- Keep your phone away, or use a red screen: one glance at a bright screen undoes your night vision.
- Dress warmly and be patient. Meteors come in bursts, with quiet spells in between.