With a seven-planet parade and the first total lunar eclipse since 2022, 2025 has had plenty of astronomical events to keep stargazers satisfied.
What they haven’t had are some good meteor showers, but that will change tonight when the Lyrid meteor shower peaks.
The Lyrid meteor shower is one of the oldest known showers, according to NASA. Stargazers can consistently catch a glimpse of it during late April.
Here’s what to know about the Lyrid meteor shower and when to watch it.
When does the Lyrid meteor shower peak?
The milky way and meteors of the April Lyrids annual meteor shower are seen in 2018 in the night sky over the Baltic Sea island of Fehmarn in northern Germany.
Between April 17-26, anyone living within the Northern Hemisphere will be able to catch a glimpse of the passing meteors. The Lyrid meteor shower will peak between April 21-22.
The Lyrid are known for being fast and bright, but they can be hard to spot as they don’t leave long, glowing dust trains behind them and they’re fewer in number compared to more active showers like the Perseids.
You can generally expect to see about 18 meteors per hour during peak times. Very rarely, however, the Lyrid will surprise you with as many as 100 meteors per hour, according to NASA.
Can you see the Lyrid meteor shower in Florida?
The western stretch of the United States will have the best view of the Lyrid meteor shower, but we’ll be able to catch some of the passing meteors down here in Florida, too.
Which way should I look for the Lyrid meteor shower in Florida?
Finding the Lyrid meteor shower radiant point can be a little tricky if you’re not familiar with where to find certain stars and constellations. Throughout the night, the Vega star in the constellation Lyra will point toward the Lyrid radiant, but you should be able to look generally northeast to spot meteors from the shower.
What time is the best to see the Lyrid meteor shower in Florida?
Best time will be during the second half of the night, between roughly 1 to 5 a.m., which is typically the darkest time of night. There will be some possible challenges, however.
The waning crescent moon’s light could blot out the view of some of the meteors. Incoming weather could also threaten visibility.
How many meteors can I expect to see during the Lyrids shower?
Under ideal conditions, which typically consist of a moonless night in an area with low light pollution, you could expect to see up to 20 meteors per hour.
However, with the current predicted conditions, between 10-15 meteors is probably a more realistic estimate, according to EarthSky.org.
The Lyrids is known for its unpredictable bursts of meteors, however, so it’s best to keep your eyes peeled.
How long will the Lyrid meteor shower last?
The Lyrid meteor shower actually runs between April 17-26, so you’ll have a chance to look up at the dark sky and catch a passing meteor until Saturday. The peak will happen tonight through tomorrow night.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Lyrid meteor shower happens tonight. How to watch in Florida
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