Lyrid Meteor Shower 2026: Peak Time, Where to See, Visibility Forecast
The Lyrids peak on April 22, 2026 and can bring ~18 meteors per hour under dark skies. In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s your best chance to spot “shooting stars” until the famous Perseids in August! This guide gives you the peak time, where the meteor shower is visible, and a few quick tips to see more streaks per hour. Want the easiest way to prepare? The free Sky Tonight app shows you exactly where to look in your sky and reminds you when the best viewing window starts.
Contents
- Lyrid Meteor Shower 2026: Quick Facts
- Lyrids 2026: When and where to see
- How to see the Lyrid meteor shower 2026?
- What is the Lyrid meteor shower?
- What causes the Lyrid meteor shower?
- April Lyrids F.A.Q.
- The Lyrids 2026 key facts: peak time, visibility, and where to see
- Other Meteor Showers in April 2026
Lyrid Meteor Shower 2026: Quick Facts
- Active: April 14–30
- Expected peak date & time: April 22, 19:40 GMT (3:40 PM ET / 2:40 PM CT / 1:40 PM MT / 12:40 PM PT / 20:40 BST)
- Meteors/hour: 18
- Moon illumination: 34%
- Radiant location: Lyra (near Vega)
- Parent body: Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher)
- Best visible from: Northern Hemisphere
The April Lyrids are one of the oldest recorded meteor showers, observed for at least 2,700 years. Usually producing around 18 meteors per hour, they can sometimes surprise observers with brief outbursts reaching up to 90 meteors per hour.
Lyrids 2026: When and where to see
In 2026, the Lyrids will peak on the night of April 22 — two days before the First Quarter Moon. This means moonlight will cause only mild interference, allowing decent visibility under dark skies. Observers who can shield the Moon behind a tree, building, or hill will have an even better chance of spotting fainter meteors. You can also try observing during the late-night and pre-dawn hours when the radiant is high in the sky, and the Moon is lower or below the horizon.
When to watch the Lyrid meteor shower in 2026?
The Lyrids are expected to reach their maximum activity around 19:40 GMT on April 22, though the exact timing may vary by several hours — possibly between 16:40 GMT on April 22 and 00:00 GMT on April 23.
For the best experience, start observing after 22:30 local time if you’re located in the Northern Hemisphere and well after midnight (typically 01:00–02:00 local time) if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere. By this time, the radiant will already be high enough in the sky for you to see a decent number of meteors.
Note: the peak occurs during daylight for much of the Americas, so the best rates will be seen after midnight and before dawn on April 22.
Below are the local times of the April Lyrid meteor shower in various locations around the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond.
Lyrid meteor shower time schedule in the USA & Canada
| Time zone | Example cities | Expected April Lyrids Peak | Best observing window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, GMT−4) | New York, Washington, D.C., Toronto | April 22, 3:40 PM | April 22, 12:00 – 6:00 AM |
| Central Daylight Time (CDT, GMT−5) | Chicago, Dallas, New Orleans | April 22, 2:40 PM | April 22, 12:00 – 5:30 AM |
| Mountain Daylight Time (MDT, GMT−6) | Denver, Calgary, Albuquerque | April 22, 1:40 PM | April 22, 12:00 – 6:30 AM |
| Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, GMT−7) | Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver | April 22, 12:40 PM | April 22, 12:00 – 6:00 AM |
Lyrid meteor shower time schedule in Europe
| Time zone | Example cities | Expected April Lyrids Peak | Best observing window |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Summer Time (BST, GMT+1) | London | April 22, 20:40 | April 22, 20:30-01:30 |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST, GMT+2) | Paris, Berlin, Rome | April 22, 21:40 | April 22, 21:30-02:30 |
| Eastern European Summer Time (EEST, GMT+3) | Athens, Bucharest, Helsinki | April 22, 22:40 | April 22, 22:30-03:30 |
Lyrid meteor shower time schedule in Asia
| Time zone | Example cities | Expected April Lyrids Peak | Best observing window |
|---|---|---|---|
| India Standard Time (IST, GMT+5:30) | New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru | April 23, 01:10 | April 23, 01:00-06:00 |
| China Standard Time (CST, GMT+8) | Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen | April 23, 03:40 | April 23, 03:30-05:30 |
| Japan Standard Time (JST, GMT+9) | Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo | April 23, 04:40 | April 23, 04:30-05:00 |
Lyrid meteor shower time schedule in the Southern Hemisphere
| Time zone | Example cities | Expected April Lyrids Peak | Best observing window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Western Standard Time (AWST, GMT+8) | Perth, Broome | April 23, 03:40 | April 23, 03:30-06:30 |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST, GMT+10) | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane | April 23, 05:40 | April 23, 05:30-06:30 |
| New Zealand Standard Time (NZST, GMT+12) | Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch | April 23, 07:40 | April 23, 01:00-07:00 |
| South African Standard Time (SAST, GMT+2) | Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria | April 22, 21:40 | April 23, 01:00-02:30 |
| Chile Standard Time (CLT, UTC-4) | Santiago, Valparaíso, Concepción | April 22, 15:40 | April 22, 01:00-07:00 |
| Argentina Time (ART, GMT−3) | Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Rosario | April 22, 16:40 | April 22, 01:00-07:00 |
| Brazil Time (BRT, GMT−3) | São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília | April 22, 16:40 | April 22, 00:00-06:00 |
Where can I see the Lyrids?
The Lyrids are visible from both hemispheres, but they favor observers in the Northern Hemisphere. The radiant point of the Lyrids is located in the constellation Lyra, near the bright star Vega — one of the brightest in the night sky. From mid-northern latitudes, the radiant appears above the horizon around 20:30 local time and reaches its highest point in the early morning hours. In the Southern Hemisphere, the radiant rises much later and stays lower in the sky, so the meteor rate will be lower.
You can easily track the radiant position using the Sky Tonight app: just type “Lyrids” in the search bar, tap the target icon, and follow the arrow on the screen to find the radiant in your sky. Remember: the higher the radiant is in the sky, the more meteors you're likely to see!
Find more meteor shower tips and a quick photography guide in our colorful infographic.
How to see the Lyrid meteor shower 2026?
The Lyrids are active from April 14 to 30 each year, with a peak on April 22. During the peak, observers can see about 18 meteors per hour under perfect viewing conditions. Flying at a velocity of 49 kilometers per second, the Lyrid meteors can produce bright fireballs, though they usually lack persistent trails. Here’s how to improve your chances of seeing the shooting stars:
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Find the dark, unobstructed sky. Meteors are best seen against the darker backdrop, so it’s best to get away from city lights. Also, they can appear anywhere in the sky (not necessarily near the radiant): the more sky you can see, the better. Avoid areas where the view is blocked by tall buildings or trees.
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Adapt to the darkness (at least 15-20 minutes). That way, your eyes will be more sensitive to light and you'll be able to see dimmer meteors. Do not look at bright objects, like a fire or a phone screen, otherwise the desired effect will be lost.
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Patience pays off. Spend more hours observing to increase your chances. Be ready to give it at least an hour of your time.
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Get comfortable. Bring a blanket or chair, dress warmly, and pack a thermos with a hot drink to make your stargazing experience more enjoyable.
Remember, stargazing can be challenging, but it's worth the effort! Find even more meteor-hunting tips in our dedicated article.
What is the Lyrid meteor shower?
The Lyrids are one of the oldest known meteor showers: they have been observed for 2,700 years. The first recorded observation of these fast, bright meteors by Chinese skygazers dates to 687 BC!
Although the April Lyrid meteor shower is not as prolific as the famed August Perseids or the December Geminids, it can occasionally amaze observers with as many as 90 meteors per hour: such surges were observed in 1803, 1922, 1945, 1982, and 1985. It’s difficult to predict such outbursts, which are one of the reasons why the Lyrids are worth watching. Unfortunately, no outburst of activity is expected in 2026.
What causes the Lyrid meteor shower?
The parent body of the Lyrid meteor shower is a long-period comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher) discovered on April 5, 1861, by the amateur astronomer A. E. Thatcher. When our planet passes through the trail left by the comet, the pieces of dust and debris comprising it burn up in the terrestrial atmosphere, producing dazzling lights in the sky. The constellation Lyra is not the source of the Lyrids; the radiant situated in the constellation only helps observers determine which shower they are watching on a particular night.
April Lyrids F.A.Q.
Where to see the April Lyrid meteor shower 2026?
The April Lyrids are best seen from the Northern Hemisphere, where the radiant in the constellation Lyra climbs higher in the night sky. Still, observers at northern latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere can catch a handful of Lyrids – and even spot a couple of bright fireballs!
What is the peak time of the April Lyrids 2026?
The Lyrids are expected to peak around 19:40 GMT on April 22, but the exact timing can vary by several hours, from 16:40 GMT on April 22 to 00:00 GMT on April 23. To be safe, plan to observe over a wider time frame around the peak rather than aiming for a single moment.
What is the best April meteor shower 2026?
The April Lyrids are April’s standout meteor shower, bringing up to 18 meteors per hour under a faint waxing crescent Moon. They’re also the best upcoming shower for Northern Hemisphere skywatchers until the famous Perseids in August.
What are the best viewing spots for the Lyrid meteor shower?
The best Lyrids' viewing spots are simply the darkest, clearest places you can safely reach. Head away from city lights, choose a place with a wide, unobstructed view of the sky (fields, beaches, hilltops, or open parks work great) and, if possible, a bit of elevation to avoid haze.
The Lyrids 2026 key facts: peak time, visibility, and where to see
In 2026, the Lyrids will peak on April 22, at around 19:40 GMT, under the waxing crescent Moon. That means moonlight will cause only slight interference, allowing observers under dark skies to enjoy a good view. You can expect to see around 18 meteors per hour. The meteor shower is best seen from locations in the Northern Hemisphere. For the best experience, head outside in the late evening, when the radiant in Lyra climbs high in the sky, and keep the Moon out of your direct line of sight.
Use the Sky Tonight app to check when the radiant is highest above the horizon for your location, and enjoy one of the year’s most classic meteor showers. If you want to see how well-prepared you are for the meteor hunt, take our short and fun quiz!
Other Meteor Showers in April 2026
The April Lyrids are undoubtedly the best April meteor shower. However, if you are a dedicated meteor hunter, here are a few lesser-known showers you can watch for:
- April 6: Zeta Cygnids
- April 10: April Epsilon Delphinids
- April 15: Pi Serpentids
- April 15: Alpha Virginids
- April 21: Nu Cygnids
- April 24: Pi Puppids
- April 29: H-Virginids
- April 30: April Rho Cygnids
Read more about these April meteor showers, as well as the ones in the following months, in our full guide on meteor showers from March to June of 2026. And if you want to plan for the year ahead, take a look at our infographic, featuring the best meteor showers of 2026.
