Where and When to Watch the Lyrids Meteor Shower near Edmonton
Buckle up parents, because we’ve got a fun night out worth staying up past bedtime for - this month. The Lyrids Meteor Shower is popping up between April 15 and 29th, 2024, with a peak viewing period on April 22, 2024. Bundle up, grab the sleeping bags and find your nearest dark sky preserve, or a dark part of the city to sit outside, sip on something warm, and look up at the sky with your kids.
Did you know? Most meteor showers are caused by debris from a passing comet. For the Lyrids, the comet is named Comet Thatcher.
What’s so famous about the Lyrids Meteor shower? This meteor shower you can watch from Edmonton area, is best known for producing up to 20 shooting stars every hour. Stay up late for this one and view the meteor shower after dark.
The best time to catch the meteor shower is Late evening April 21 until dawn April 22. The predicted peak is 9:23 UTC on April 22. The peak of the Lyrids is narrow in 2024. As the the full moon falls at 23:49 UTC on April 23. So meteor watching will be impacted by a bright waxing gibbous moon.
Fun fact: In a moonless sky, about a quarter of Lyrid meteors leave a persistent train, a trail of ionized gas that glows for a few seconds after the meteor has passed.
Here’s where to watch the Lyrids Meteor Shower near Edmonton
Beaver Hills Preserve
Located east of Edmonton, Beaver Hill encompasses Elk Island National Park and Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area. Here, the stars shine brighter, the air is fresher and the view is 10/10. Head out to Elk Island National Park for an incredible viewing experience during the peak in Edmonton!
Jasper National Park
Take a trip to Jasper and enjoy the dark sky, gorgeous scenery and a wonderful place to catch the Lyrids Meteor Shower. Look up, if you plan to be in Jasper through the viewing period!
