Skywatchers in Iowa have an opportunity to see the annual Lyrid meteor shower lighting up the night sky this week.
The Lyrid meteor shower begins in mid-April and builds toward a peak later in the month. Here’s everything to know about the Lyrids meteor shower, including when it peaks and what causes it.
When is the Lyrids meteor shower?
In 2026, the Lyrids meteor shower is scheduled to last between April 14 and April 30, according to the American Meteor Society.
Formed from debris left behind by Comet Thatcher, the Lyrids are the oldest known meteor shower, having been observed by humans for thousands of years. Each April, Earth passes through this trail of particles, producing bright streaks of light in the night sky.
Known for their fast, bright meteors, the Lyrids typically produce about 5–6 meteors per hour under dark skies, according to NASA, with rates reaching 10–20 per hour at peak activity.
Lyrids meteor shower peak: Dates when activity is highest
The Lyrid meteors will hit their peak in activity between April 21 and April 22, according to the Planetary Society.
Meteors are best viewed between midnight and dawn, when skies are darkest in the Northern Hemisphere. For the clearest views of the Lyrids, observers should head to rural areas or other dark locations away from light pollution.
When is the next meteor shower in 2026?
A full list of meteor showers still to come this year from TimeandDate.com includes:
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: When can you see the Lyrid meteor shower in Iowa?
Reporting by Cooper Worth and Eric Lagatta, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
