Lyrid Meteor Shower 2026: Date, timings, visibility and more
Follow UsThe Lyrids will peak on the night of April 21, making after hours the best time to view them.
The highest frequency of meteors is expected between 2:00 AM and 4:30 AM on April 22.
Expect about 10 to 15 meteors per hour during the peak window.
The Lyrid meteor shower is known as one of the oldest recorded celestial displays, with observations spanning over 2,700 years. It occurs annually every April, and many suggest that it is one of the most beautiful sights one can witness. Given that some time has passed now and we’re almost close to the end of April, the return of the meteor shower in the skies is expected this week. Without wasting much time, let’s take a deep dive and understand the date, timings, visibility and other details regarding the Lyrid meteor shower 2026.
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Lyrid Meteor Shower 2026: Timing and visibility
First and foremost, let’s understand the date and timings of the meteor shower. While the Lyrids are active throughout the second half of April, one important thing here is that the shower will reach its peak on April 21 and will be visible up until the early morning of April 22.
If you’re based out of metro cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru, the best suggested viewing time is during late hours. The highest frequency of meteors is expected between 2:00 AM and 4:30 AM on April 22 in India. During this time, it is expected that roughly 10 to 15 meteors would be visible per hour.
Thankfully, the viewing conditions are particularly good for India this time around. Reports suggest that the moon will set early in the evening. Because the radiant point sits high in the northern sky, the sighting would be better for those situated in the north or the central part of India. While it will remain visible nationwide, the visibility around these parts of the country will be a bit better.
Tips for Best Viewing
Most might think that you would need large telescopes or binoculars to enjoy the meteor shower, but that’s not true at all. The best part about meteor showers is that you just need a wide and unobstructed view of the sky, which can be provided with your bare eyes.
An important tip would be to avoid viewing your smartphone screen regularly during the period, as the blue light will reset your night vision. It takes about 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness. So if you are willing to capture the meteor shower using your camera or smartphone, it is recommended to set it up on a tripod and place it somewhere else.
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