The Northern Hemisphere's first meteor shower of spring, the Lyrids, will peak on the night of April 21-22. This year, the annual meteor shower will be visible in a nearly moonless night sky, which promises to be a spectacular sight.
At the height of the meteor shower, you can expect about 18 shooting stars per hour, according to the American Meteor Society. However, since the shower will peak during daytime in North America and the waning moon will appear as a crescent after midnight on April 21, the best time to view — assuming clear skies — will be just after dark.
The Lyrids originate from the debris left behind in the inner solar system by Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1). The name refers to the year the comet was discovered, according to NASA. In fact, it was spotted during its last visit to the inner solar system in 1861. Comet Thatcher orbits the Sun every 422 years, and its next visit is expected in 2283.
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