Every April around Earth Day, the Lyrid meteor shower reaches its peak with about 10 to 15 meteors streaking through the night sky every single hour. These “Lyrid fireballs” have been documented as far back as 687 B.C., making this meteor shower the oldest one on record.
When does the Lyrid meteor shower peak in the Bay Area?
This year, the Lyrids are active from April 16-25, 2025, with the peak occurring from late at night on Monday, April 21st through early dawn hours on Tuesday, April 22nd. The Moon will be a waning crescent rising just before dawn, so moonlight will only slightly interfere with viewing the Lyrid meteor shower in 2025.
Where can I watch the Lyrid meteor shower in the Bay Area?
If you’re hoping to watch the Lyrid meteor shower around the Bay Area, you’ll want to scout out a dark sky outside of the city. Below are a few spots to consider, but check park opening hours because some of them will only let you stay overnight if you’re camping. If that’s the case, you can still look for pullouts on the road with a good view of the sky. Check this light pollution map to help you plan.
- Pinnacles National Park
- Mount Diablo State Park
- Mount Hamilton/Lick Observatory
- Point Reyes National Seashore
- Mount Tamalpais State Park
- Bolinas Ridge
- Henry W. Coe State Park
- Chabot Space & Science Center
How will moonlight affect the visibility of the 2025 Lyrid meteor shower?
During the Lyrids’ peak, the moon will be a waning crescent rising after 3:30 AM. As a result, moonlight is unlikely to interfere much with visibility.
Here are the sunset, sunrise, and moonrise times in San Francisco during the Lyrid meteor shower’s peak:
- Sunset at 7:51 PM on Monday, April 21st, 2025
- Moonrise at 3:37 AM on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025
- Sunrise at 6:24 AM on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025
How should I prepare to watch the Lyrid meteor shower?
As mentioned, the 2025 Lyrid meteor shower will peak from late at night on Monday, April 21st through the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 22nd. Make sure you check the weather before you hit the road late on Monday, and try to find a spot with low light pollution where you can comfortably lay back and gaze at the sky. The best viewing will likely be after midnight and before twilight.
Avoid looking at bright lights or your phone screen, and allow 20-30 minutes for your eyes to adjust as you watch the meteor shower. You don’t need any specialized equipment to watch the shower—meteors are best viewed with the naked eye.
Bring a jacket, blanket, chair, drinks, snacks, and anything else you might need to get comfortable for a late night of stargazing.
What’s the history of the Lyrid meteor shower?
As one of the oldest known meteor showers, the Lyrids usually break the “meteor drought” that follows the January Quadrantid meteor shower. The Lyrid meteors are produced from Comet C/1861 G1 (AKA Comet Thatcher) as Earth passes through the comet’s dust trail. They usually appear to emanate from the constellation Lyra, which lends its name to the meteor shower.
While the Lyrid meteor shower is somewhat less of a spectacle than the famous Perseids in July and August, there have been documented instances of the Lyrids making quite a commotion. In 1803, the shower was observed to produce upwards of 700 meteors per hour in a brilliant show over Richmond, Virginia.
Are there any other astronomical phenomena to look out for?
San Francisco’s Academy of Sciences has a great 2025 Pocket Almanac (PDF) where you can keep track of other exciting celestial events. Here are some save-the-dates:
- Sept. 7-8, 2025: Total Lunar Eclipse
- Sept. 21, 2025: Partial Solar Eclipse
- July 17-Aug. 23, 2025: Perseid Meteor Shower
- Nov. 6-30, 2025: Leonid Meteor Shower