How to Watch the Lyrid Meteor Shower in the Bay Area Monday Night

This Monday night, as the Lyrid meteor shower peaks, Bay Area stargazers will be treated to a celestial feast. With records going back more than 2,700 years, the Lyrids are one of the earliest known meteor showers, distinguished by their swift, brilliant meteors and sporadic fireballs. Everything you need to know to attend the exhibition is right here.

🌠 What Are the Lyrids?

Every April, Earth travels over Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher's debris trail, causing the Lyrid meteor shower. These meteors are famous for their speed—they can travel 29 miles per second across the sky—and their sporadic bright flashes, which can frequently be seen even in places with a lot of light pollution.

Depending on viewing circumstances and any activity bursts, viewers should anticipate seeing between 10 and 20 meteors per hour at its peak.

🕒 When to Watch

Peak evening: Monday, April 22, until the early hours of Tuesday, April 23

The radiant point, the region of the sky where the meteors seem to originate, rises higher in the sky during the best viewing hours, which are after midnight to shortly before dawn.

The moon will be a waning gibbous this year, so some of the fainter meteors may be obscured by its brightness. However, you can still see a respectable display if you have patience and choose a suitable location.

📍 Best Places to Watch in the Bay Area

Locate a dark area with a clear view of the sky, away from city lights, to increase your chances of viewing the meteors. Here are a few fantastic spots in the Bay Area:

• Marin County's Mount Tamalpais State Park has a high altitude and comparatively less light pollution.

• Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda is a level area with decent sky view, yet light pollution could be an issue.

• Berkeley Hills' Grizzly Peak Boulevard is a well-liked spot for stargazing because it is convenient and offers expansive views.

• Half Moon Bay and Pescadero State Beach are coastal locations with views of the ocean and dark skies.

• A more isolated choice for dedicated meteor watchers is Henry Coe State Park on the South Bay.

🔭 Viewing Tips

1. The best way to watch meteors is with the unaided eye, therefore no telescope is needed.

2. Allow your eyes to get used to the darkness; this process takes around 20 to 30 minutes.

3. You will be looking up for a long time, so make sure your chair or blanket is comfy.

4. Wear layers because evenings in the Bay Area can get cold, even in the spring.

5. Avoid screens: To protect your night vision, turn your phone to red light mode or keep it dim.

🌌 Where to Look

You do not have to stare straight at the constellation Lyra to see the meteors, even though they seem to emanate from it. Just be patient and look at the sky, especially the eastern portion. Your chances of seeing the meteors as they streak across the sky increase with the size of your field of vision.

Final Note

The greatest time to see the Lyrids this year will be in the early pre-dawn hours when the sky is at its darkest because the Moon will be in a waxing gibbous phase, which is bright but sets after midnight.

The Lyrids only visit once a year, so get a blanket, choose a peaceful hilltop, and remember to make a wish!