The Lyrid meteor shower is set to peak with up to 20 meteors per hour, enhanced by dark skies from the new moon. Optimal viewing conditions forecasted across the UK.
The Lyrid meteor shower is set to peak during the night of April 21 to the early hours of April 22, 2024, offering a celestial display featuring between five to 20 meteors per hour. This meteor shower, which can produce bright fireballs, originates from the debris trail of Comet Thatcher, discovered in 1861. Occurring annually, this event is one of the oldest observed, with records dating back to 687 BC.
Viewers in the UK can expect better viewing conditions this weekend as forecasted by the Met Office, following less optimal weather earlier in the week. The peak viewing period coincides with a new moon on April 21, providing dark skies that enhance visibility. Spectators are advised to find a location far from city lights, lie back, and allow their eyes to adjust to the dark to best see the meteors radiating from the Lyra constellation.
The meteor shower’s activity is due to Earth passing through the comet’s debris stream. Historically, significant outbursts have occurred approximately every 60 years, the most recent in 1982 when up to 700 meteors an hour were recorded. Such events provide a unique insight into the dynamics of our solar system and offer a spectacular natural light show in the night sky.
