If you’re based in the UK, chances are you’ll catch a glimpse of the 2026 Lyrid meteor shower tonight.
Although the annual celestial event has been ongoing since last Wednesday (15 April), it is expected to peak this evening, with as many as 18 meteors an hour. According to the Greenwich Royal Observatory, Lyrids are bright, fast meteors that sometimes have trains. Sometimes referred to as shooting stars, the Lyrid meteor shower, in particular, is associated with Comet Thatcher, and is a result of the Earth passing through its trail of material.
As the skies are set to be particularly clear this evening, it is anticipated that many will have an unobstructed view of the shower.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What time is the 2026 Lyrid meteor shower tonight?
The key to getting a good view of the Lyrid meteor shower – or any meteor shower, for that matter – is clear skies and darkness. Generally speaking, this is why it’s best to wait until the early hours of the morning on the peak day to catch a glimpse of the action. That said, you should be able to spot some activity pre-midnight, with BBC Weather suggesting stargazers look up at the skies from 22:00 BST.
If you can stay up later, however, the Royal Observatory recommends waiting until the moon has set, so that there’s reduced light pollution and a clearer view – meaning from around 02:00 BST. “By this point the Earth will have spun towards the cloud of debris, and it will be easier to spot Lyrid meteors,” they explain. As mentioned, this year’s Lyrid meteor shower has already begun, but reaches its peak tonight and is set to last until 25 April.
How and where to watch it in the UK
When it comes to how to view a meteor shower, it’s pretty simple: just look up.
The Royal Observatory suggests placing a blanket on the ground and lying horizontally, so you’re facing the skies and not straining your neck. You can also set up a reclining deckchair. Whichever method you decide, be sure to set up shop away from artificial light sources, such as street lamps, as this will hinder your view.
In terms of location, the forecast is set to be ideal for meteor shower-spotting this evening, though there will be some cloud in Northern Ireland, which will later clear.
The good viewing conditions are also set to continue on Thursday night, per the BBC, before more cloud moves in across eastern Scotland and England on Friday.
What actually is a meteor shower, and how often do they occur?
Meteor showers and storms occur when the Earth passes through streams of debris from comets and asteroids.
These small bits of debris, known as meteoroids, are no larger than a grain of sand, but as they travel at tens of kilometres per second through space, they interact with the Earth’s atmosphere, heat up, and cause a flash of light.
Almost 3,000 years ago, Chinese astronomers recorded the first Lyrid meteor shower. It happens every year, but Comet Thatcher takes 415 years to complete its orbit of the Sun. The next time the comet itself will be visible from Earth will be in 2283.
Beyond the Lyrid meteor shower, there are a range of other celestial events. You can find the full schedule of 2026 meteor shower dates here.
