Lyrids
Oldest recorded meteor shower, from comet Thatcher's debris.
The Lyrids, also known as the April Lyrids, are a meteor shower that occurs annually from about April 15 to April 29, with a peak typically around April 22–23. They are notable as the strongest annual shower of meteors from debris of a long-period comet, and have been observed and reported since 687 BC, making them the oldest recorded meteor shower.
Quick Facts
- Parent
- C/1861 G1 (Thatcher)
- Constellation
- Lyra and Hercules / (near HD 166988)
- Ra
- 18 · 10
- Dec
- +33
- Month
- April 15 – April 29
- Velocity
- 46.8
- Zhr
- 18/hr
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Lyrids have been observed and reported since 687 BC, as recorded in the Zuo Zhuan, which describes the shower on March 23.7, 687 BC (proleptic Julian calendar) with the words: 'On the 4th month in the summer in the year of xīn-mǎo (of year 7 of King Zhuang of Lu), at night, (the sky is so bright that some) fixed stars become invisible (because of the meteor shower); at midnight, stars fell like rain.' This makes the Lyrids the oldest known meteor shower with a recorded observation.
The source of the meteor shower is particles of dust shed by the comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher), a long-period comet with an orbital period of about 415 years. The shower occasionally intensifies when planets steer the one-revolution dust trail of the comet into Earth's path, an event that happens about once every 60 years, resulting in an April Lyrid meteor outburst. In 1982, amateur astronomers counted 90 April Lyrids per hour at the peak, and similar rates were seen in 1922. A stronger storm of up to 700 per hour occurred in 1803, observed by a journalist in Richmond, Virginia, who described it as 'Shooting stars... from one until three in the morning, those starry meteors seemed to fall from every point in the heavens, in such numbers as to resemble a shower of sky rockets.'
In Australian Aboriginal astronomy of the Boorong tribe, the Lyrids represent the scratchings of the Mallee fowl (represented by Vega), coinciding with its nest-building season. Lyrid meteors are usually around magnitude +2, but some can be brighter, known as 'Lyrid fireballs', which cast shadows for a split second and leave behind smokey debris trails that last minutes.
Reader's Guide
The Lyrids hold a unique place in meteor astronomy as the oldest continuously recorded meteor shower, with observations dating back to 687 BC in Chinese historical texts. This long observational record provides a rare window into the behavior of a long-period comet's debris stream over millennia. The shower's parent comet, C/1861 G1 (Thatcher), has an orbital period of about 415 years, making the Lyrids the strongest annual shower from a long-period comet, primarily because its orbital period is relatively short compared to other intermediate long-period comets (200–10,000 years).
The shower's typical rates of 5 to 20 meteors per hour, averaging around 10, are modest, but its occasional outbursts—occurring roughly every 60 years when the one-revolution dust trail intersects Earth—can produce dramatic displays, such as the 1803 storm of up to 700 meteors per hour observed in Richmond, Virginia, and the 1982 outburst of 90 per hour. These outbursts are caused by the gravitational steering of the comet's one-revolution dust trail by planets, replacing earlier ideas of a 60-year dust cloud orbit.
The Lyrids also have cultural significance, being incorporated into the Australian Aboriginal astronomy of the Boorong tribe, who associated the shower with the Mallee fowl's nest-building season. For observers, the best viewing conditions are in rural areas away from light pollution, on nights without the Moon, as light pollution reduces visible counts. The meteors travel at about 47 km/s and typically appear at magnitude +2, with occasional fireballs that can cast shadows and leave persistent smoke trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best night to watch the Lyrids?
The Lyrids reach their peak around April 22–23, though the active window stretches from roughly April 15 through April 29. For the best viewing, aim for the night of the 22nd or 23rd when debris density is highest.
What comet is responsible for the Lyrids?
The Lyrids are created by dust and debris shed by comet C/1861 G1, commonly called Comet Thatcher. Because Thatcher orbits the Sun roughly every 415 years, the Lyrids are the most powerful annual shower tied to a long-period comet.
Where in the sky should I look for the Lyrids?
The radiant sits near the constellations Lyra and Hercules, close to the brilliant star Vega. In practice, meteors can appear all over the sky, but they seem to streak outward from that general region.
Why are the Lyrids considered special among meteor showers?
They hold the record as the oldest meteor shower with a written record, having been observed as far back as 687 BC. That makes them one of the longest-running natural sky events documented by humans.
How many Lyrid meteors can I expect to see per hour?
On a typical peak night you'll see somewhere between 5 and 20 meteors per hour, with the average hovering around 10. That's a modest rate compared to big showers like the Perseids, but the Lyrids are known for occasional bright fireballs.
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