The Lyrids (LYR) are active Apr 14 – Apr 30 and peak around April 22, 2027, with a zenithal hourly rate of about 18 under ideal skies. They come from comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher), hit the atmosphere at 49 km/s, and are best seen after midnight. The moon will be about 97% illuminated at the peak.
Peak
Apr 22
2027
ZHR
18
meteors/hour, ideal sky
Moon at peak
97%
Full Moon
Radiant
RA 271°
Dec +34°
Lyrids 2027: best time and expected rate by state
| State | Best time (local) | Radiant altitude | Est. rate/hour (dark sky) | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4:35 AM | 87° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Alaska | 2:20 AM | 46° | 13 | 97% (up) |
| Arizona | 4:17 AM | 87° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Arkansas | 4:51 AM | 85° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| California | 4:29 AM | 82° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Colorado | 4:41 AM | 82° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Connecticut | 4:05 AM | 77° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Delaware | 4:23 AM | 80° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| District of Columbia | 4:43 AM | 82° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Florida | 5:21 AM | 84° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Georgia | 5:13 AM | 84° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Hawaii | 4:35 AM | 77° | 18 | 96% (up) |
| Idaho | 4:49 AM | 75° | 17 | 97% (up) |
| Illinois | 4:21 AM | 80° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Indiana | 5:09 AM | 80° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Iowa | 4:29 AM | 77° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Kansas | 5:01 AM | 82° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Kentucky | 5:08 AM | 82° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Louisiana | 5:02 AM | 86° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Maine | 3:49 AM | 75° | 17 | 97% (up) |
| Maryland | 4:41 AM | 82° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Massachusetts | 4:01 AM | 77° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Michigan | 4:49 AM | 73° | 17 | 97% (up) |
| Minnesota | 4:05 AM | 71° | 17 | 97% (up) |
| Mississippi | 4:45 AM | 86° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Missouri | 4:39 AM | 82° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Montana | 4:32 AM | 71° | 17 | 97% (up) |
| Nebraska | 4:55 AM | 77° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Nevada | 4:06 AM | 80° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| New Hampshire | 3:54 AM | 75° | 17 | 97% (up) |
| New Jersey | 4:23 AM | 80° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| New Mexico | 4:45 AM | 84° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| New York | 4:15 AM | 77° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| North Carolina | 5:07 AM | 85° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| North Dakota | 4:37 AM | 71° | 17 | 97% (up) |
| Ohio | 4:54 AM | 80° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Oklahoma | 5:07 AM | 85° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Oregon | 4:19 AM | 75° | 17 | 97% (up) |
| Pennsylvania | 4:32 AM | 80° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Rhode Island | 3:59 AM | 77° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| South Carolina | 5:13 AM | 87° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| South Dakota | 4:02 AM | 75° | 17 | 97% (up) |
| Tennessee | 4:21 AM | 85° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Texas | 5:30 AM | 86° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Utah | 4:57 AM | 82° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Vermont | 4:00 AM | 75° | 17 | 97% (up) |
| Virginia | 4:45 AM | 82° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Washington | 4:03 AM | 71° | 17 | 97% (up) |
| West Virginia | 4:55 AM | 82° | 18 | 97% (up) |
| Wisconsin | 4:08 AM | 75° | 17 | 97% (up) |
| Wyoming | 4:34 AM | 75° | 17 | 97% (up) |
Computed for each state's central location on the peak night. Rate = ZHR × sin(radiant altitude); light pollution and haze reduce it further.
How to photograph a meteor shower
- Use your widest fast lens (14–24 mm, f/1.4–2.8) and point it about 45–60° away from the radiant, where meteors leave longer trails.
- Shoot continuously with an intervalometer: 10–25 s exposures at ISO 1600–6400 for as long as the batteries last.
- Bright meteors are rare — expect a handful of keepers from hundreds of frames, then composite them.
- Dew forms quickly on clear nights; a lens heater band saves the session.
- Choose a dark location from the state pages below and arrive before astronomical dusk to set up.
FAQ
When do the Lyrids peak in 2027?
Around April 22, 2027; activity runs Apr 14 – Apr 30.
What time is best to watch the Lyrids?
After midnight, when the radiant is highest and the sky is darkest.
Will the moon interfere with the Lyrids in 2027?
The moon is about 97% lit at the peak. Plan to shoot when the moon is down or keep it behind you.