Home / Editor's Pick /

Clear viewing conditions: Lyrids meteor shower now active

15:00
18 April 2023

Clear viewing conditions
Lyrids meteor shower now active

meteorregn lyriderne

The oldest meteor shower on record is now active as the Lyrids shine overhead, and early viewing conditions are positive.

Between 10 and 20 meteors an hour are to be expected as the shower peaks on April 22nd, though you can already spot the shower which lasts until April 25th.

Despite being known as shooting stars, they are nothing more than tiny pieces of material left in the wake of certain celestial bodies, such as asteroids and comets.

These objects move extremely fast at around 120,000 mph and you may be shocked to know that an estimated 25 million meteoroids enter the atmosphere each day but are far too tiny to make any impact.

How to spot the shower

NASA recommend: Finding a dark area, lay on your back with your feet facing east, look for the Lyra constellation, look slightly away from the constellation allowing meteors to soar across your view.

The high speeds cause the meteor's surface to reach temperatures of up to 1600C and glow brightly. This is what we see as a brief streak of light in the sky.

The Lyrid meteor shower is associated with the long-lived comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher. In fact, it is the oldest recorded meteor shower still visible today, first recorded in 687 BC.

The Lyrids will be visible across the sky, but if you follow their path backwards, it will look like they are coming from the constellation Lyren, which contains the star Vega.

High pressure is helping suppress cloud cover at night, clearing the skies for optimal viewing. An approaching new moon on April 20th also ensures minimal disturbance from moonlight, which can obscure smaller meteors.

Be sure to check the WeatherRadar to see current and expected cloud cover and find a perfect opening to head out under the stars.

Ryan Hathaway
More on the topic
Monday 1 September 2025

Amy up first!

2025/26 storm names released
plit image showing the aurora borealis and a weather map. On the left, the night sky glows with green and pink aurora above silhouetted trees. On the right, a weather map of the UK and Ireland displays scattered showers over western and northern areas, clearer skies with moon symbols elsewhere, and temperatures between 11°C in Cork and 15°C in London.
Monday 1 September 2025

Good visibility

Possible aurora arrives in the evening
The image is split into two scenes: on the left, dark grey storm clouds loom heavily over rooftops of brick houses, creating a dramatic sky; on the right, large clouds stretch across a calmer evening sky above the sea, with silhouettes of offshore wind turbines visible on the horizon.
Sunday 31 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Unsettled week with plenty to snap
All weather news
This might also interest you
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
Friday 22 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Sunny start for some, overcast later
Sunday 17 August 2025

Your weather - Your shots

Summer shots from a warm week
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement