Although the meteor shower peaks during the night of April 22 (the peak is predicted for 9:40 p.m. CEST), the peak is not particularly sharp, so it can be observed on both the preceding and following nights. The highest number of meteors will be visible on the night of April 22–23, 2026. Meanwhile, the Moon will appear in the evenings around the peak of the shower, just a few days before the first quarter. The best time to watch for meteors from Lyra is in the early morning hours (from 2 a.m. until dawn), when the radiant in the constellation Lyra—from which the meteors appear to originate—is high above the horizon.

To observe the shower, you need to choose a location at least 50 km away from cities, ideally in the mountains or on high ground with a clear view, as the meteors radiate randomly across the sky from the constellation Lyra and are relatively faint. It’s practically pointless to watch the shower from cities—the glow of light pollution will outshine most of the meteors, and you’ll only see one or two all night. You don’t need a telescope to watch; just bring warm gear (clothes, a sleeping bag, a camp chair, or a sleeping pad), head out into the open, and look anywhere in the sky.

You can also try to photograph the phenomenon. You’ll need a tripod, a camera capable of long exposures, and a wide-angle lens. First, mount the camera on the tripod and check to make sure it isn’t shaking—for example, due to the wind. Next, set a higher ISO, focus the lens to infinity, set the longest possible exposure, and aim at any part of the sky. Use the self-timer or a remote control to ensure the camera doesn’t shake during this step. Repeat the process (or use continuous shooting) until the desired meteor enters the frame.

The Lyrid meteor shower is one of many fascinating phenomena we can observe in the Czech Republic throughout 2026. You can find a complete list of the most remarkable celestial events to look forward to on this page.

Contact details:

Mgr. Petr Horálek

RNDr. Tomáš Gráf, Ph.D.