Tonight is the Lyrid Meteor Shower, visible all over the world, but strongest in the Northern Hemisphere. In Manchester, the Lyrid Meteor Shower will peak late this evening and into the early hours of Thursday morning.

The Meteor Shower will be even more visible than usual tonight due to a Waxing Crescent moon, and stargazers have the opportunity to see between 10 and 20 shooting stars an hour.

What Is A Meteor Shower?

A Meteor Shower occurs when the Earth passes debris that has been left behind by asteroids or comets in space. As these bits of debris, called meteoroids, enter Earth’s atmosphere at rapid speeds, they burn up and create streaks of light – shooting stars.

The Lyrid Meteor shower is named so because it happens annually, it is the result of the Earth passing through dust left behind by Comet Thatcher, a comet discovered in 1861.

How Can I See The Lyrid Meteor Shower Tonight?

While the Lyrid Meteor Shower has been visible since 16 April, it will be easiest to spot tonight. Gareth Lever, chair of the Salford Astronomical Society said: “The Lyrid meteor shower is always a lovely event to catch. While it’s not usually the most intense shower of the year, it can still produce some really bright, fast meteors, which makes it well worth watching.

“This year’s peak on Wednesday evening into the early hours should give people a good opportunity to see a few, especially if the skies stay clear.

“For the best views, we’d recommend getting as far away from streetlights as possible. Darker locations like parks, countryside spots, or anywhere with an open, unobstructed view of the sky will really help. You don’t need any special equipment either, just your eyes and a bit of patience.

“If you can, give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the dark, and try to look away from your phone, this makes a big difference. The later it gets, especially after midnight, the better your chances.”