The yearly Lyrid meteor shower is visible again in the springtime heavens this week. It has been ongoing since April 16, reaching its height late on Wednesday, April 22, and into the early hours of Thursday, April 23. A sky map for the view eastward from London at 12:01 a.m. BST on April 23 highlights the meteors’ starting point, called the radiant, in the Lyra constellation near the luminous star Vega. Meteors seem to spread out from this spot in every direction, with a peak rate of around 18 per hour. These meteors are known for their brightness and speed, occasionally creating lingering smoky trails. Historical accounts of the Lyrids date to 687 BC. More recently, they have been linked to Comet Thatcher, identified in 1861. The particles that ignite in Earth’s atmosphere to form the shower originated from the comet’s dusty trail. Optimal viewing occurs after midnight once eyes adapt to darkness, which requires 20 to 30 minutes. Observers in the southern hemisphere face challenges as the radiant remains low on the northern horizon.
