The Lyrid Meteor Shower Peaks April 21/22 and Here’s Where to Watch it Near Edmonton
The 2026 Lyrid meteor shower peaks April 21/22, 2026, offering the best viewing in the early morning hours of April 22. Expect 10–20 meteors per hour, with favorable viewing conditions as the Moon will set shortly after midnight, leaving dark skies for the peak. The meteors appear to originate from the constellation Lyra.
Where to Watch the Lyric Meteor Shower Near Edmonton
Elk Island National Park
Miquelon Lake
Beaver Hill Nature Preserve
Named after constellation Lyra, the Lyrids are one of the oldest recorded meteor showers—according to some historical Chinese texts, the shower was seen over 2,500 years ago. The fireballs in the meteor shower are created by debris from comet Thatcher, which takes about 415 years to orbit around the Sun. The comet is expected to be visible from Earth again in 2276.
How to See the Lyrids Meteor Shower
You won’t need any special equipment or a lot of skills to view a meteor shower. Even though all you really need is a clear sky, lots of patience, and our handy Interactive Meteor Shower Sky Map with a visibility conditions meter to see a meteor shower, the following tips can help maximize your shooting star viewing experience.
You don’t need fancy gear or expert knowledge to enjoy a meteor shower. A clear night sky, some patience, and a helpful sky map with visibility info are really all it takes. That said, a few simple steps can make the experience much better.
Start by choosing a dark location away from city lights. When you arrive, give your eyes about 15–20 minutes to adjust fully to the darkness.
Grab the kids and settle in for a pyjama party, late-night in the car for a fun reason to stay up late
After settling in, lie back and look up at the sky. Use a sky map to locate where the meteors seem to originate (called the radiant). The higher that point is in the sky, the more meteors you’re likely to catch.
Even though meteors appear to come from one spot, they can streak across any part of the sky, so keep your gaze wide and relaxed.
