Tips from an expert on how to view the Lyrid meteor shower this weekend.

      The Lyrid meteor shower

      Next week promises to be exciting for stargazers, with the Lyrid meteor shower expected to be visible over the weekend and reaching its peak on Monday night. If you're eager to experience this delightful cosmic display, Robert Massey, Deputy Executive Director of the Royal Astronomical Society, has provided some tips on how to achieve the best viewing experience no matter where you are.

      The Lyrids will be active from April 17 to April 26, peaking on the night of April 21 to 22. Although you won’t see long and bright trails like in other meteor showers, you might catch fleeting flashes known as fireballs.

      “With the Lyrids, you can anticipate a brief flurry of short-lived light streaks – often referred to as ‘shooting stars’,” Massey explained in a video. “During the peak of this shower, you might spot around 10 to 15 meteors an hour, so it's not overly prolific… but it's definitely worth it if the sky is clear.”

      A meteor shower occurs when Earth travels through a cloud of debris in its orbit, remnants from comets or asteroids. In the case of the Lyrids, the debris originates from the tail of Comet Thatcher, which takes over 400 years to make one complete orbit around the sun and hasn’t approached since 1861. However, the debris it left behind continues to exist, and Earth encounters it once a year, resulting in meteors as these particles burn up in the atmosphere.

      For those wanting to see the meteor shower, the northern hemisphere should offer good visibility, as the moon won’t rise until late at night—provided there are no clouds obstructing the view.

      “The great thing about a meteor shower— and the Lyrids are no exception— is that special equipment isn't necessary,” Massey added. “The best tools are your eyes gazing at the sky. In this case, the radiant— the point from which they appear to originate— is located in the constellation Lyra, close to the bright star Vega, which is part of the Summer Triangle.

      “If you're observing in the early hours of the morning—which is the optimal time—just look up if the sky is clear. The radiant will be somewhat towards the east, but it’s not crucial to focus on a specific direction.”

      To maximize your viewing experience, you’ll want to be patient and allow your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. Find a comfortable spot, like a deck chair, with a good sky view, and avoid looking at bright lights, such as your phone, to enhance your night vision.

      Georgina has been a space writer at Digital Trends for six years, focusing on human space exploration and planetary topics.

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