Lyrid Meteor Shower 2026 Peak

What this countdown tracks

The clock counts down to the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower on the night of April 21–22, 2026 — one of the oldest recorded meteor showers in human history, with reliable Chinese observations going back to 687 BCE.

About this celestial event

The Lyrids are debris shed by Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, a long-period comet with an orbit of roughly 415 years. Earth crosses Thatcher's debris stream every April, producing a moderate but consistent shower with a zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) of about 18 meteors per hour at peak. The radiant sits near the bright star Vega in the constellation Lyra, which rises in the north-east in late evening and is high overhead before dawn.

The Lyrids have a long historical pedigree. Records from the Zuo Zhuan describe a 687 BCE shower in which "stars fell like rain" — almost certainly the Lyrids in outburst — and the shower has been observed continuously by Chinese, Korean and Japanese astronomers ever since. Occasional outbursts to ZHR 90 or above occurred in 1803, 1922, 1945 and 1982, but most years the shower is quiet and dependable. The Lyrids are notable for producing bright fireballs, sometimes called "Lyrid fireballs," which can leave persistent trains visible for several seconds.

Best viewing

For 2026 the predicted peak is on the night of April 21 into the morning of April 22, with maximum rates expected in the early-morning hours UTC of April 22. Moonlight is a key factor: the Moon is near new in 2026, so dark-sky conditions favour observation. The radiant is best placed for Northern Hemisphere observers from about 02:00 local time onward, when Lyra is high in the south-east. Southern Hemisphere observers will see lower rates with the radiant near the northern horizon.

Lie back facing the zenith, allow your eyes 15–20 minutes to dark-adapt, and avoid looking at phone screens or any white light. A reclining chair, warm clothing, and a thermos of hot tea make the difference between an hour of observing and a full night.

Past peaks

• 2025 Lyrids — typical ZHR of 18 with moderate Moon interference
• 2023 Lyrids — clear skies across North America produced a strong show
• 1982 Lyrids — outburst to ZHR ~90 observed from Florida
• 1922 Lyrids — outburst over Greece
• 1803 Lyrids — observed by US astronomers in Virginia, the first major recorded American meteor display

How to observe

NASA's Meteor Watch, the American Meteor Society and the International Meteor Organization publish predicted peak times and live observer-reported rate counts. EarthSky, Sky & Telescope and BBC Sky at Night provide observer guidance. The Virtual Telescope Project usually streams the peak live for cloudy-sky regions. Best results come from naked-eye observation under a Bortle 4 or darker sky, away from city lights.

Related countdowns

The Lyrids sit between the Quadrantid meteor shower 2026 and the Eta Aquariid meteor shower 2026 on the spring meteor calendar. Pair with the March equinox 2026 and the Perseid meteor shower 2026 for a full-year view.

FAQ

When does the Lyrid meteor shower peak in 2026? The night of April 21 into the morning of April 22, 2026. What is the Lyrids' parent body? Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, a long-period comet with a 415-year orbit. How many meteors per hour can I expect? A ZHR of about 18 at peak under truly dark skies — typically half that under suburban skies. Where should I look? Toward the zenith with the radiant in Lyra (near Vega) high in the eastern sky after midnight.