The Lyrids 2026 peak overnight April 22–23. The moon is a waxing crescent that sets early, so the best viewing window is after midnight through dawn on April 23, especially from 2 AM to 5 AM local time. Expect around 10–20 meteors per hour under dark skies.
2026 Lyrids Quick Facts
Peak Night
April 22–23, 2026
Active Period
April 16 – April 25, 2026
Expected Rate
10–20 meteors/hour at peak
Moon Phase
Waxing Crescent (sets early evening)
Viewing Conditions
GOOD
Radiant
Constellation Lyra (near Vega)
Meteor Speed
49 km/s (110,000 mph)
Parent Comet
C/1861 G1 (Thatcher)
First Recorded
687 BC (oldest documented meteor shower)
When to Watch
Peak Night: April 22–23, 2026
The best time to watch is the overnight of Wednesday, April 22 into the early morning of Thursday, April 23, 2026. The crescent moon sets well before midnight, leaving dark skies for the prime viewing hours.
Hourly Breakdown
10 PM – Midnight: Radiant rising; occasional early meteors (5–8/hour)
4 AM – Dawn: Best window as radiant climbs high; watch until twilight
Secondary Viewing Nights
Can’t make peak night? These nights still offer decent activity:
April 21–22: 50–60% of peak rate
April 23–24: 50–60% of peak rate
The Lyrids drop off fairly quickly after peak, so the night of April 22–23 is by far the best bet.
Where to Look
Finding the Radiant
Lyrid meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Lyra, near the brilliant star Vega — one of the brightest stars in the night sky and easy to spot. Look for it high overhead in the pre-dawn hours.
Best Viewing Strategy
Face east/northeast after midnight and allow your eyes 20–30 minutes to dark-adapt
Look about 45–60 degrees up from the horizon, not directly at Vega
Scan the whole sky — meteors streak outward from the radiant in all directions
Lie flat on a recliner or blanket for the widest field of view
Avoid your phone screen — white light kills night vision fast
Finding Vega & Lyra
Vega is one of the three stars of the Summer Triangle asterism
It rises in the northeast around 10 PM in late April and climbs high by 3 AM
Use a free stargazing app like Stellarium or Sky Map to pinpoint it instantly
Best Locations to Watch the Lyrids
North America
Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania – Gold-tier dark sky park on the East Coast
Big Bend National Park, Texas – Some of the darkest skies in the lower 48
Great Basin National Park, Nevada – Remote, high-altitude, and spectacularly dark
Jasper National Park, Canada – Designated Dark Sky Preserve
Acadia National Park, Maine – Excellent East Coast option with ocean backdrop
Europe
Galloway Forest, Scotland – UK’s first Dark Sky Park
Brecon Beacons, Wales – International Dark Sky Reserve
Alqueva, Portugal – Starlight Tourism Destination with warm spring nights
La Palma, Canary Islands – World-class dark skies, comfortable April temperatures
Southern Hemisphere
The Lyrids strongly favor Northern Hemisphere viewers — the radiant is very low or below the horizon from south of the equator. If you’re in Australia, New Zealand, or South America, wait for the Eta Aquariids in May which are far better from the south.
The Lyrids are famous for occasional outburst years where rates suddenly spike to 90–100+ meteors per hour. This happened in 1982 and most recently in 1999. No outburst is predicted for 2026, but the Lyrids always carry that tantalizing possibility — nature’s version of a lottery ticket.
Bright Fireballs
Even in standard years, the Lyrids produce a notable number of bright fireballs — meteors bright enough to cast shadows. Their relatively fast entry speed (49 km/s) means they produce vivid, brief streaks with occasional persistent glowing trains.
Spring Skies
April nights are a pleasure — not too cold, no summer insects yet, and the spring Milky Way arc is beginning to appear. The Lyrids are a natural excuse to get outside and reconnect with the night sky after winter.
2,700 Years of History
There’s something deeply moving about watching the same meteor shower that ancient Chinese astronomers recorded in 687 BC. The comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1) won’t return for another 415 years, yet every April its ancient debris burns up above us right on schedule.
Photography Guide
Camera Settings
Mode: Manual (M)
ISO: 1600–3200
Aperture: f/2.8 or wider (f/1.8–f/2.4 ideal)
Shutter Speed: 15–25 seconds
Focus: Manual infinity — use live view on Vega to nail it
White Balance: Daylight or 4000–4500K
Essential Gear
Sturdy tripod — non-negotiable
Wide-angle lens — 14–24mm captures more sky
Intervalometer — for continuous shooting without touching the camera
Extra batteries — cold April nights drain them faster
Red headlamp — preserves dark adaptation
Framing Tips
Point your lens toward the northeast sky, centered roughly on Vega
Include a compelling foreground — a tree line, mountain ridge, or body of water
Use an intervalometer to fire continuous 20-second exposures and stack the best frames later
Shoot for at least 2 hours — patience is everything with meteor photography
Warm jacket — April nights are cool even in spring
Thermos with a hot drink
Red flashlight or red-mode headlamp
Stargazing app (brightness turned all the way down)
Bug spray (just in case)
Camera gear (optional but rewarding)
Pre-Night Checklist
Check the weather forecast — clear skies are essential
Find a dark-sky location away from city lights
Scout your spot during daylight hours
Charge all devices and pack spare batteries
Arrive at least 30 minutes before your watch begins to dark-adapt
FAQ
When is the Lyrid meteor shower in 2026?
The Lyrids peak on the night of April 22–23, 2026. The shower runs April 16–25 but peak night is far and away the best.
How many meteors will I see?
Expect 10–20 meteors per hour under dark skies. From suburban areas with light pollution, you may see 5–10 per hour. In outburst years rates can hit 100+, though no outburst is predicted for 2026.
Do I need a telescope?
No — meteor showers are always best with the naked eye. Telescopes drastically narrow your field of view and you’ll miss most meteors.
Can I see the Lyrids from the Southern Hemisphere?
Barely — the radiant is very low on the northern horizon from south of the equator. Southern viewers are much better served by the Eta Aquariids in May.
What time is best to watch?
The window from 2 AM to dawn on April 23 is peak. The radiant is highest in the sky and dark conditions are optimal after the crescent moon sets.
What if it’s cloudy?
The night of April 21–22 offers 50–60% of peak rates as a backup. Beyond that, April 23–24 is also usable. After April 25 the shower fades quickly.
Plan Your Lyrid Night Out
The Lyrids are a great excuse for a spring stargazing trip. Find guided experiences and dark-sky stays near you.