The easiest way to find Lyra is to locate Vega, the constellation’s brightest star. This time of year, it can be found low in the northern sky in the hours running up to dawn.
Unfortunately, from our part of the world, the constellation Lyra is never high in the sky. Despite this, it is worth getting up early to try to spot some Lyrid meteors this year. Before dawn tomorrow and Monday morning will be the best time to head out, as the shower peaks just before dawn.
Meteors are caused by high-speed cosmic debris vaporising high in Earth’s atmosphere. In the case of the Lyrid meteors, the material comes from Comet Thatcher, which last passed close to the sun in 1861 and won’t return for more than 400 years.
If the sky is clear, you may see as many as 10 Lyrid meteors per hour just before dawn. You won’t need binoculars or a telescope.
