Lyrids meteor shower 2024

The Lyrids meteor shower is taking place right now, between April 16 and 25, 2024. However, this year the conditions for observing it from Spain are not the most favorable.

Because?

• The full moon: It coincides almost entirely with the peak of rain activity, which is expected for the night of April 22 to 23. Its brightness will make it difficult to observe the faintest meteors.
• Dates: The peak of activity occurs in the morning, around 9 am (official peninsular time).

Despite these difficulties, it is still possible to see some Lyrids if the right conditions are met.

What do you need?

• Stay away from light pollution: The darker the sky, the better. The ideal is to go to a place away from the cities.
• Patience: Observing the meteor shower takes time. Don't expect to see a constant shower of stars.
• Lie on your back and look up at the sky: It is not necessary to use binoculars or telescopes.
• Adapt your vision to the dark: Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness before you start looking for meteors.

Where to see it in Spain?

Although the conditions are not the best, in Spain there are some places where you can have a better chance of seeing the Lyrids meteor shower:

• The Canary Islands: Being far from the Iberian Peninsula, they have less light pollution.
• Mountainous areas: Also far from the lights of cities.
• National parks and nature reserves: These places usually have dark skies and are protected from light pollution.