How to spot the 2025 Lyrids and Eta Aquarids meteor showers

The Lyrids and Eta Aquarids meteor showers are set to illuminate the night skies in the upcoming weeks. This year, these celestial displays will overlap in April, with the radiant Lyrids reaching their peak on the night of 21 April and the Eta Aquarids shining brightest between midnight and dawn on 5 May.

Exploring the Lyrids meteor shower

The Lyrids originate from debris left behind by the Thatcher comet, which interacts with the Earth’s atmosphere, creating the mesmerizing streaks of light that grace the night sky. The radiant of this meteor shower lies in the constellation Lyra in the northern hemisphere, near the brilliant star Vega. With a history of over 2700 years, the Lyrids are known for their occasional bright meteors despite having lower rates compared to other showers, as explained by Margaret Campbell-Brown from Western University in Canada.

Timing of the Lyrids meteor shower

This year, the Lyrids will be active from 17 April to 26 April, peaking on the night of 21 April and best observed just before dawn on 22 April.

Tips for viewing the Lyrids

To catch the Lyrids at their best, head to the northern hemisphere during the dark hours before dawn. These meteors typically appear as swift streaks of light, with occasional bursts of brightness. While viewers in the southern hemisphere may see fewer meteors due to Lyra being below the horizon, the shower can still be observed to a lesser extent. Dress warmly and find a dark, clear spot for optimal viewing, as the Lyrids are known to produce around 5 to 6 meteors per hour on an average night and up to 10 to 20 meteors during peak activity.

Insights into the Eta Aquarids meteor shower

The Eta Aquarids consist of icy and rocky remnants from Halley’s comet, which enter the Earth’s atmosphere and light up the night sky as they disintegrate. The radiant of this shower is located near Eta Aquarii, a prominent star in the Aquarius constellation. While the Eta Aquarids are known for occasional strong outbursts, this year is expected to see more moderate activity, according to Campbell-Brown.

Timing of the Eta Aquarids meteor shower

In 2025, the Eta Aquarids can be observed between 20 April and 28 May, with the peak viewing time falling between midnight and dawn on 5 May.

Tips for viewing the Eta Aquarids

The southern hemisphere offers the best vantage point for witnessing the Eta Aquarids, although they can also be seen in the northern hemisphere closer to the horizon. Viewers in the north will have a limited window to observe the meteors as the radiant rises just a couple of hours before dawn. On a clear night, sky gazers can expect to see around 10 to 30 meteors per hour from the northern hemisphere and up to 30 meteors per hour from the southern hemisphere, with some meteors leaving glowing dust trails in their wake.

Expert advice on meteor-spotting

To enhance your chances of witnessing these celestial spectacles, venture away from city lights to darker areas with unobstructed views of the sky. Bring along a star map to help locate the meteor shower origins in the constellations, and make yourself comfortable with a reclining chair or mat. Remember to dress warmly and keep your eyes peeled for meteors well after sunset and in the hours leading up to dawn.

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