All articles tagged with #pre dawn viewing
The Eta Aquarids are forecast to peak in the pre-dawn hours of May 5-6, offering up to about 50 meteors per hour under clear skies as they streak across the sky at roughly 40.7 miles per second; for best views, look east toward the Aquarius radiant before dawn, with activity tapering after the peak but some meteors visible through about May 21; the shower comes from debris left by Halley’s Comet, which orbits the Sun every 76 years.
In 2026 the Lyrid meteor shower runs April 16–25, with peak activity around 4 p.m. EDT (2000 GMT) on April 22; the best viewing for U.S. observers is in the pre-dawn hours of April 22, when up to about 18 meteors per hour radiate from near Vega in Lyra. A 27%-lit waxing moon sets around 2 a.m., dark skies will help; to maximize your chances, head away from city lights, give 20–30 minutes for night adaptation, use red light, avoid binoculars, and look toward the radiant (near Vega) after moonset.
After a long quiet spell, the Lyrid meteor shower returns with fast, bright meteors and ideal viewing before dawn; at its peak on Wednesday morning (April 22), observers can expect about 10–20 meteors per hour under dark skies, with Vega rising and the Moon set by around 1:15 a.m., and the debris originates from Comet Thatcher (1861 G1), offering a classic, ancient meteor display.
The Lyrid meteor shower peaks in late April, with the best viewing under dark, clear skies in the pre-dawn hours for observers across the Northern Hemisphere, including Germany; find a location away from light pollution for the most meteors visible.