Get ready, stargazers! It’s that time of year when the annual Lyrid meteor shower lights up Canada’s night skies, and it’s about to reach its peak!
Named after the constellation Lyra, the Lyrids are one of the oldest known meteor showers, with records dating back 2,700 years to 687 BC. The meteors themselves are fragments of rock and dust left behind by Comet Thatcher, which orbits the Sun in a highly elliptical path.
As Earth passes through the cloud of debris each year, the tiny particles burn up as they enter the atmosphere, creating brilliant streaks across the sky we call shooting stars.
In 2025, they’ll be visible from April 14 to April 30, with the best viewing happening from the night of April 21 into the early morning hours of April 22.
Observers this year may be able to see over 80 meteors per hour, and better yet, there will be minimal moonlight during the peak as a crescent moon will only rise a few hours before dawn on April 22. This means skies will stay darker for longer, making for prime viewing conditions.
For the best viewing experience, plan to be on the lookout during the night of April 20 and into the predawn hours of April 21 and 22. No special equipment is needed to enjoy the show. Just find a dark, open area away from city lights, and give your eyes 15 to 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
Once your eyes adjust, look for the radiant point — the area in the sky where the meteors appear to originate. For the Lyrids, that’s the constellation Lyra, which rises in the northeast after sunset and climbs higher through the night.
Before heading out, don’t forget to check your local weather forecast — cloudy skies could block the view.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed for clear skies on the 21st!