The Lyrid meteor shower is an annual celestial event that graces our skies in April. In 2025, this display of shooting stars will be active from approximately April 16th to April 25th, reaching its peak on the night of April 21st and the early morning of April 22nd. This shower is produced by the debris of Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, a long-period comet that orbits the Sun roughly every 415 years. As Earth passes through the comet’s dusty trail, these particles enter our atmosphere at high speeds, burning up and creating the streaks of light we know as meteors.

When to Watch

• Active Period: Mark your calendars for April 16th to April 25th, 2025. During this time, you might spot Lyrid meteors.
• Peak Activity: The best time to see the highest number of meteors will be on the night of Monday, April 21st, into the early hours of Tuesday, April 22nd.
• Optimal Time: While meteors can appear anytime after nightfall, the hours after midnight until dawn generally offer the best viewing opportunities. This is because the radiant of the shower, the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to originate, rises higher in the sky during these hours. The higher the radiant, the more meteors are typically visible.
• Consider the Moon: In 2025, the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower occurs around the time of a waning crescent moon. The Moon will rise around 3:41 AM on April 21st. While it won’t be a full moon, its light might still slightly reduce the visibility of fainter meteors. The best viewing window will be in the late evening of April 21st before the moonrise. After the moon rises, try to position yourself so that the Moon is behind you to minimize its glare.

How to See the Lyrid Meteor Shower

1. Find a Dark Location: The most crucial factor for a good meteor shower viewing experience is to escape light pollution. City and suburban lights can significantly wash out the fainter meteors. Venture out to a rural area, a park away from city lights, or any location with a dark, unobstructed view of the sky. If you are in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, try to move away from the main town areas towards higher altitudes or less populated regions.
2. Allow Your Eyes to Adapt: Once you reach your viewing spot, give your eyes at least 15 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Avoid looking at bright lights, including your phone screen, during this time. This will allow your pupils to dilate fully, making it easier to spot fainter meteors.
3. Dress Comfortably: April in Solan can still have cool nights, especially at higher elevations. Dress warmly in layers and bring a blanket or a comfortable chair so you can lie back and observe the sky for an extended period. Meteor watching is often a waiting game, so comfort is key.
4. Look in the Right Direction: The Lyrid meteors will appear to radiate from a point near the constellation Lyra, specifically close to the bright star Vega, which is one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Lyra rises in the northeast in the evening and will be higher in the sky towards dawn. However, you don’t need to stare directly at the radiant. Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, and those seen farther from the radiant will have longer trails. Scan a broad expanse of the sky for the best chances of spotting meteors.
5. No Special Equipment Needed: Unlike some astronomical events, you don’t need binoculars or a telescope to view a meteor shower. In fact, these can restrict your field of view, making it harder to spot meteors. The naked eye is the best tool for meteor watching.
6. Be Patient: Meteor activity can be sporadic. You might see several meteors in quick succession, followed by a lull. Be patient and keep looking at the sky for an extended period to maximize your chances of seeing a good number of Lyrids.
7. Look for Fireballs: The Lyrid meteor shower is known to occasionally produce bright meteors called fireballs, which are significantly brighter than typical shooting stars and can leave persistent trains (glowing trails of ionized gas) in their wake. Keep an eye out for these spectacular events.
8. Consider the Timing in Solan: Given your location in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India, the radiant of the Lyrid meteor shower will rise in the northeast. Check a local astronomy app or website for the precise rise time of the constellation Lyra for your specific location on April 21st. Remember that the optimal viewing will be in the pre-dawn hours of April 22nd.

What to Expect

• Meteor Rate: Under ideal dark sky conditions, you might see up to 10-20 meteors per hour during the peak of the Lyrid shower. However, this number can vary.
• Speed and Brightness: Lyrid meteors are known for being relatively fast and can be quite bright.
• Occasional Outbursts: While not predictable, the Lyrid shower has been known to produce occasional “outbursts” with significantly higher meteor rates (up to 100 per hour). However, 2025 is not predicted to be one of these outburst years.