Lyrids: One of the Oldest Recorded Meteor Showers

The Lyrids peak every April, producing a modest but reliable meteor display.
They originate from debris left by Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher.
The shower appears to radiate from the constellation Lyra, near the bright star Vega.
Lyrids produce around 10–20 meteors per hour at peak.
They are known for occasional outbursts, with rates of 100+ meteors per hour.
Lyrid meteors are bright and often leave smoky trails in the sky.
Records of the Lyrids go back more than 2,600 years, making them the oldest known meteor shower.
Observations date to 687 BC in China, where the shower was documented as “falling stars.”
They’re visible from both hemispheres, best in the hours before dawn.
The Lyrids connect today’s skywatchers to ancient stargazing traditions.