Lyrid Meteor Shower in 2016

In 2016, the Lyrids are expected peak on April 22 and 23. A Full Moon on April 21, 2016 will make it difficult for observers to view the meteor shower.

When Can I See the Lyrids?

The Lyrid Meteor Shower is usually active between April 16 and April 25 every year. It tends to peak around April 22 or April 23. The best time to watch it is after midnight and before dawn.

Dust From Comet Thatcher

The Lyrids are created by debris from comet Thatcher, which takes about 415 years to orbit around the Sun.

Where Can I See the Lyrids?

Considered to be the oldest known meteor shower, the Lyrids are named after constellation Lyra. The radiant point of the shower - the point in the sky where the meteors seem to emerge from - lies near the star Vega, one of the brightest stars in the sky during this time of the year.

While people in the Northern Hemisphere are best located to view the Lyrids, those in mid Southern Hemisphere latitudes can also see the shower between midnight and dawn.

Astronomers suggest looking up towards the East to see shooting stars from the Lyrids, the table below shows the exact direction of the Lyrids from your location.

NASA