Lyrid Meteor Shower 2025 Date, Time, And Where To Watch In India: Have you ever witnessed a meteor shower lighting up the night sky? If not, April 2025 presents a perfect opportunity. The Lyrid meteor shower, one of the oldest known meteor showers, is set to dazzle the sky. The Lyrid Meteor Shower, also known as the April Lyrids, is one of the oldest known meteor showers in history. It takes place every year between April 15 and 29. This year, the shower is set to reach its peak during the night of April 21 to 22, 2025, with an expected rate of around 18 meteors per hour. Skywatchers may even be treated to a few dazzling fireballs lighting up the night sky.
What Is A Lyrid Meteor Shower?
The Lyrids are an annual meteor shower occurring each April, resulting from Earth passing through debris left by Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1). As these particles enter Earth's atmosphere, they burn up, creating bright streaks across the sky. Historical records trace the Lyrids back to 687 BC, making them one of the oldest documented meteor showers .
According to the NASA Science portal, “The Lyrids meteor shower, which peaks during late April, is one of the oldest known meteor showers. The Lyrids have been observed for 2,700 years. The first recorded sighting of a Lyrid meteor shower goes back to 687 BC by the Chinese.”
Lyrid Meteor Shower 2025 Date
In 2025, the Lyrid meteor shower will be active from April 17 to April 25, with the peak occurring in the early hours of April 22, 2025.
The Lyrid meteor shower, which began on April 17, 2025, marks the second major meteor event of 2025, following the Quadrantids that lit up the skies back in January. This year, the Lyrids are expected to put on their best show between the night of April 21, 2025, Monday, and the early hours of April 22, 2025, Tuesday, as Earth moves through the thickest patch of debris left behind by Comet Thatcher.
Lyrid Meteor Shower 2025 Time
The Lyrid meteor shower will be active from 17 to 26 April 2025, it’s expected to reach its peak at around 1:00 pm (13:00 UTC) on 22 April, around 8:00 am Eastern Daylight Time. The best time to catch this celestial display is during the early hours of 22 April 2025, ideally between 3:00 am and 5:00 am, according to Space.com.
Lyrid Meteor Shower 2025: Visibility From India
The Lyrid meteor shower is best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere, but visibility in India this year is expected to be quite limited. Due to less favourable weather and the shower’s position, most Indian cities may miss out. However, as per recent reports, there’s still a slim chance of spotting 10-20 meteors in the hour before dawn on 23 April, 2025, if skies stay clear.
Where To Watch Lyrid Meteor Shower 2025?
The Planetary Society portal states that, “The Lyrids are mostly limited to skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere, but may also be somewhat visible from the Southern Hemisphere. Meteors will appear to come from an area near the constellation Lyra, which will remain below the horizon for most observers in the Southern Hemisphere. Meteors will streak out from this area of the sky in all directions.”