18 meteors per hour: Watch Lyrid meteor shower
When and how to see the oldest Lyrid meteor shower in Ukraine (photo: freepik.com)
Every spring, Earth passes through the trail of debris left by Comet Thatcher, and that can only mean one thing – the Lyrids are back. One of the oldest meteor showers will once again light up the night sky. In April 2025, it will be visible even to the naked eye, and during its peak night, up to 18 meteors per hour may be seen. Time and Date tells what is known about this meteor shower, when and how to watch it.
What is the Lyrid meteor shower?
The Lyrids are a meteor shower that appears annually in the second half of April. Its source is the comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which leaves a trail of dust and debris behind it. When these particles enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up, leaving behind bright flashes – the very same "shooting stars."
The Lyrids have been known for over 2,600 years – the first mentions of them appear in ancient Chinese chronicles.
When to watch the Lyrid meteor shower
The first spring meteor shower – the Lyrids – lasts for almost two weeks. In 2025, it will be visible from April 14 to 30, but its peak will occur tomorrow, April 22, at 16:00 Kyiv time.
According to scientists, during the peak of the meteor shower, up to 18 meteors per hour may be seen. The point from which they appear to originate is the constellation Lyra, which astronomers call the radiant point of the meteor shower. The spectacle will give the impression that stars are coming from the constellation and falling to Earth.
The constellation Lyra and its brightest star, Vega, will be visible in the sky as soon as it gets dark. However, scientists do not recommend starting observations of the meteor shower at night, since the Moon is in a waning phase and will be only 38% illuminated. On April 22, it will rise at 3:52 Kyiv time.
How to watch the meteor shower
- Check the weather forecast – you need clear skies.
- Find a place without city lights – it could be a forest, a park, or a natural area a few kilometers outside the city.
- Turn your back to the Moon and allow your eyes to adjust to the night darkness
- The best way to watch the meteor shower is with the naked eye
- The best time for observation in Ukraine is the night of April 21 to 22, before dawn.
Earlier, we wrote about a civilization on Mars that may have been destroyed by a nuclear explosion.
