The second major meteor shower of 2025 is on the way, with the Lyrid meteor shower set to peak April 21-22, experts say.
“The Lyrids are left-over debris from Comet Thatcher,” said Chris Sirola, associate professor of astronomy and physics at the University of Southern Mississippi. “Comet Thatcher last appeared near us in 1861 and won’t return again until 2283.
“Their radiant is in the constellation of Lyra the Harp. It’s a constellation far to the north in the sky, so it’s visible most of the year here in Hattiesburg. You may have to wait until the early hours of the morning to see it in April.”
According to NASA, the Lyrid meteor shower is one of the oldest known meteor showers and has been observed for over 2,700 years. It was first documented by the Chinese in 687 BC.
The Quadrantid meteor shower peaked in early January.
Here’s what to know.
When can you see the Lyrid meteor shower?
The Lyrids are active from April 17-26, peaking overnight April 21 into early April 22, according to the American Meteor Society.
The Lyrids are noted for fast and bright meteors, but not as fast and plentiful as the Perseids which happens in August. The meteors also don’t typically have long tails, but they can produce bright flashes called fireballs.
How to watch the Lyrids
The Lyrids are best viewed during the night’s dark hours, per NASA.
Though named after Lyra because the meteors seem to emerge — or radiate — from near the Vega star in the constellation, NASA advises stargazers to look away from the constellation for longer views.
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Here are some general viewing tips from the space agency:
Find an area well away from street lights and the light pollution of cities.
Come prepared for winter temperatures with a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair.
Lie flat on your back with your feet facing the east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.
It should take less than 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt so that you can see streaking meteors. But be patient, NASA warns: the show will last until dawn.
What causes the Lyrid meteor shower?
Meteor showers occur when the Earth passes through dusty debris trails left by comets and broken asteroid bits as they orbit the sun, NASA says. The debris collides with Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.
The Lyrids debris comes from comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, named for A.E. Thatcher, who discovered it on April 5, 1861, NASA said.
How can you watch the Lyrids in Michigan?
Keep an eye on the weather forecast ahead of the Lyrids’ peak for viewing chances in Michigan. Clear, dark skies are essential for good viewing.
The Lyrid meteor shower is visible in the northern hemisphere, though it can be seen in the southern hemisphere near where constellation of Lyra is visible.
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When will the next meteor shower be?
If you can’t glimpse the Lyrids, don’t worry, there’ll be another chance to catch meteors this season.
The Eta Aquarids are set to peak May 5-6, 2025.
Meteors, meteorites, meteoroids — which is it?
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Those are words that sound similar, but there are important differences.
Meteoroid: A body in space. Asteroids are larger rocks in space, but there’s no official distinction.
Meteor: A body passing through the atmosphere. If the meteor is large enough to show some dimensions or sparks, it’s often called a fireball.
Meteorite: A meteor that survives the fall to the Earth’s surface.
Meteor shower: When we see a lot of meteors streaking across the sky in a small amount of time, usually a matter of a few days.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How to view Lyrid meteor shower in Michigan in April