☄️

How Many Days Until the Lyrids?

Find out how many days are left until the Lyrid meteor shower peaks in 2027, the exact date, and simple tips on how to watch it.

186 Days Left
Target Date: Thursday, April 22, 2027

⏱️ Lyrid Meteor Shower Remaining Time Breakdown

  • Total Months span: ~6.1 months
  • Total Weeks factor: 26.6 weeks
  • Business Days Left: 134 Days
  • Target Day: Thursday

What Is the Lyrid Meteor Shower?

The Lyrids are one of the oldest known meteor showers, with records of them stretching back more than 2,600 years. They light up the sky every April and are named after the constellation Lyra, near which they appear to begin.

The Lyrids are a medium-strength shower, usually producing around ten to twenty meteors an hour at their peak. They are known for being bright and fast, and they sometimes leave glowing trails that linger for a moment after the meteor has passed.

Every so often the Lyrids surprise watchers with an outburst, briefly sending up to a hundred meteors an hour. These rare surges are unpredictable, which adds to the shower's appeal.

When Can You See the Lyrids in 2027?

The Lyrids peak on Thursday, April 22, 2027. The shower is active for about ten days in mid to late April, but the peak night offers the best display.

As with most meteor showers, the darkest hours before dawn are the prime viewing time. This is when the constellation Lyra rises high in the sky and the meteors are at their most frequent.

Where Do the Lyrids Come From?

The Lyrids are made of debris left behind by a comet called Thatcher, which orbits the Sun once every 415 years. The comet itself will not return until the 2200s, but the trail it left behind still crosses Earth's path each year.

As our planet passes through this ancient stream of dust every April, the tiny particles burn up in the atmosphere and appear as meteors. It is a yearly reminder of a comet that people alive today will never see with their own eyes.

How to Watch the Lyrids

No special equipment is needed to enjoy the Lyrids. Because the meteors can appear across large parts of the sky, your own eyes are the best tool for the job.

Find a dark spot away from city lights, lie back, and take in as much of the sky as you can. Give your eyes about twenty minutes to adjust to the dark. The hours after midnight are best, and mild April nights make the Lyrids one of the more comfortable showers to watch.

Lyrid Meteor Shower at a Glance

Event
Lyrid Meteor Shower
Peak Date
Thursday, April 22, 2027
Parent Comet
Comet Thatcher
Radiant
Constellation Lyra
Best Viewing
After midnight to dawn

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the Lyrids peak in 2027?

−
The Lyrid meteor shower peaks on Thursday, April 22, 2027, with the best views after midnight.

Why are the Lyrids special?

+
They are one of the oldest recorded meteor showers, observed for more than 2,600 years, and can sometimes produce surprise outbursts.

Do I need a telescope to see the Lyrids?

+
No. The Lyrids are best seen with the naked eye from a dark location away from city lights.

What comet causes the Lyrids?

+
They come from debris left by comet Thatcher, which orbits the Sun once every 415 years.

What comes right after the Lyrids?

+
The Hubble Space Telescope anniversary follows on April 25th.