Meteor shower tonight: when and how to watch Lyrid meteors at peak visibility

Skywatchers in Washington state in the US will have a chance to see the Lyrid meteor shower at its peak this week, with bright shooting stars expected to light up the night sky.

The Lyrids, one of the oldest known meteor showers, were first recorded in China in 687 BC, according to NASA.

NASA says the meteor shower produces “bright and fast” meteors, with around 10 to 20 visible per hour under clear conditions.

In rare cases, activity can surge to as many as 100 meteors per hour, according to EarthSky. “Lyrids are known for their bright and colourful meteors, sometimes even producing fireballs” that “outshine the planet Venus,” the website said.

The peak viewing period is expected from around 10:00PM on Tuesday, April 21 through the early hours of Wednesday, April 22.

Experts recommend watching the entire sky rather than focusing on the constellation Lyra, where the meteors appear to originate.

For the best experience, NASA advises: “Lie flat on your back with your feet facing east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.”