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Lyrid Meteor Shower Begins, Peaking April 21-22

The ancient Lyrid meteor shower, active until April 26, offers optimal viewing in the Northern Hemisphere, while the Eta Aquarids follow with a peak on May 5.

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The Lyrids meteor shower streaks across the sky over Austria on April 21, 2020 in Niederhollabrunn. The annual display us caused by the Earth passing through a cloud of debris from a comet called C/186 Thatcher.
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Overview

  • The Lyrid meteor shower, caused by debris from Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, is active from April 17 to 26 and will peak between April 21 and 22.
  • Observers can expect to see 10-20 meteors per hour during the Lyrids’ peak, with occasional bright fireballs enhancing the display.
  • The Eta Aquarids, originating from Halley’s Comet, will peak on May 5, offering stronger activity in the Southern Hemisphere with up to 30 meteors per hour visible.
  • Optimal viewing for both showers requires dark skies away from city lights, with pre-dawn hours providing the best visibility.
  • The Lyrids, one of the oldest recorded meteor showers, have been observed for over 2,700 years, with historical records dating back to 687 BC in ancient China.