Salt Lake City, Utah – Stargazers across Utah may catch a dazzling display overnight as the Lyrid meteor shower reaches its peak late Tuesday into early Wednesday, with up to 20 meteors per hour streaking across the sky.
According to the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City, the best viewing window will occur from late evening April 22 through dawn on April 23. While skies are expected to remain partly cloudy over much of the state, northern Utah and southwest Wyoming may see increased cloud cover that could limit visibility. Southern Utah, however, should have more favorable conditions.
The moon will be just 30% full, offering darker skies that enhance meteor visibility. Viewers are encouraged to seek out dark, open areas away from city lights. The meteors will appear to radiate from the constellation Lyra, which rises in the northeastern sky by 10 p.m.
The Lyrids are one of the oldest known meteor showers, with records dating back to 687 B.C. This year’s shower began April 16 and continues through April 25, but tonight marks the peak.
Clear skies or not, the next chance for major meteor activity won’t come until the Eta Aquarids in early May. Stay tuned for updates as conditions evolve.
