The first meteor shower of the spring will soon light up the New York skies.
The Lyrids meteor shower, which became active on Tuesday, April 14, is expected to hit its peak activity this week before ending April 30, according to the American Meteor Society.
Lyrids are made up of leftover debris from the comet Thatcher, according to NASA. That debris produces fast and bright fireballs when it hits and burns up in Earth’s atmosphere, creating the Lyrids meteor shower, which is the oldest known meteor shower.
Here is everything you need to know, including when the Lyrids meteor shower will peak in NY, how to see it and the 2026 meteor shower schedule.
When will the Lyrids meteor shower peak in NY?
Meteor showers become most visible when the Earth passes through the densest part of the cosmic debris. This is known as the shower’s “peak” and is when you will have the best opportunity of seeing it’s bright flashes of light.
The Lyrids meteor shower, which returns like clockwork every April, is expected to peak at night between April 21 and 22, according to the American Meteor Society. That being said, Time and Date currently expects New York’s peak days to be on April 22 and 23, as it predicts reduced visibility from the weather on April 21.
Generally, the best time to see the Lyrids meteor shower is during the dark hours on the Northern Hemisphere, specifically between midnight and dawn.
To see the best times, dates and viewing directions to see the shower’s peak in your city, visit Timeanddate.com.
How to get the best views of the Lyrid meteor shower in NY
Though the Lyrids meteor shower doesn’t typically produce the long, glowing tails like other “shooting stars,” it can produce bright flashes of light known as fireballs.
The Lyrids, which, according to astronomers, radiate from a bright star in the constellation Lyria known as Vega, are usually easy to spot if the clouds and moon don’t obscure the view.
On the night of April 22, when the shower is expected to peak, the moon will only be 27% full, indicating that there will be very minimal lunar interence, according to the American Meteor Society. The weather on the other hand, could potentially impact the views in New York, so it is important to keep track of the visibility in your area.
To find the star Vega, look above the horizon toward the northeast between about 9 and 10 p.m. ET. Throughout the night, Vega will climb upward until it is high enough in the sky that meteors radiating from that direction streak across, according to Earth Sky.
Experts suggest finding a location with low light polution, like city and street lights, if you want to get the views of meteors. The Adirondack Mountains are typically known for providing good views of meteor showers in New York.
2026 meteor show schedule
The Lyrids meteor shower is one of the first of the year and its activity will overlap with another meteor shower known as the Eta Aquariids, which won’t hit its peak until May 5 and 6. Other opular showers, like the Perseids, Alpha Capricornids and Southern Delta Aquariids, are just a few months away.
Here is the meteor shower schedule for 2026, according to the American Meteor Society:
Contributing: USA Today
—Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York state. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Lyrids meteor shower peaks in New York this week
Reporting by Madison Scott, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
