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Lyrid meteor shower 2025: Where and when to watch the show in India?
The shower is expected to peak overnight from Monday, April 21, to Tuesday, April 22 (today), 2025. It will undoubtedly be enjoyable for both night owls and early risers!
The meteor shower's radiant point is located close to the bright star Vega and the constellation Lyra. The spectacular shower peaks around April 22–23 every year.
This year, the meteor shower will peak between Monday and Tuesday, then progressively decrease and eventually vanish from the skies by Saturday, April 26.
What makes 'The Lyrids' special?
For more than 2,700 years, people have been captivated by the Lyrids. They have charm and the occasional surprise, but they are not as intense as the Perseids or Geminids. These meteors are particles of debris left behind by Comet Thatcher, which circles the Sun roughly every 415 years. The dazzling bursts we call shooting stars are caused by those tiny pieces streaking through our atmosphere as Earth crosses its dusty course.
Up to 18 meteors per hour, including the uncommon but exciting "fireballs", incredibly bright meteors that leave glowing trails in their wake, could be produced during this year's Lyrid shower. The ideal moment to witness the action? When visibility is at its finest and the sky is at its darkest, right before sunrise.
When can Indians watch the Lyrid Meteor Shower?
Just before sunrise, when the sky is at its darkest and offers the best vision, is the ideal moment to look up if you want to see the action. Although the Northern Hemisphere is the ideal place to watch the Lyrids, fortunate viewers in select Southern Hemisphere locations may still be able to get a look.
For locations in India, the ideal time for observation is from midnight to 5:00 am, right before sunrise, on April 23.
Unfortunately, because of the weather and the location of the meteor shower, visibility is either very limited or unlikely for watchers in India this year.
Best places to witness the Lyrid Meteor Shower?
For those in the United States, Canada, Europe, or parts of northern Asia, go to an open, dark place away from city lights for the finest view. NASA claims that the most spectacular views of this celestial show can be found in rural areas with low levels of light pollution.
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(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two consecutive successful tests of quasi-ballistic missile Pralay from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha — The flight tests were carried out as a part of user evaluation trials to validate the maximum and minimum range capability of the missile system. 'The missiles precisely followed the intended trajectory and reached the target point with pin-point accuracy meeting all the test objectives. — Pralay is an indigenously-developed solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile employing state-of-the-art guidance and navigation to ensure high precision. The missile is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads against various targets. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct. — The first test of Pralay (which means widespread destruction) was conducted in December 2021. 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The term 'hypocenter' with reference to an earthquake refers to: (a) the location below the Earth's surface where the earthquake starts (b) the location on the surface of the Earth where it cracks (c) the location from where the seismograph measures the intensity of the earthquake (d) the location adjacent to the seismically prone region Explanation — A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami waves of up to 16 feet, which had started to American shores along Hawaii's islands and off the coast of northern California. — An earthquake is an intense shaking of the ground caused by movement under the Earth's surface. It happens when two blocks of the Earth suddenly slip past one another. This releases stored-up 'elastic strain' energy in the form of seismic waves, which spread through the Earth and cause the shaking of the ground. — The Earth's outermost surface, crust, is fragmented into tectonic plates. The edges of the plates are called plate boundaries, which are made up of faults — zones of fractures between two blocks of rock. The tectonic plates constantly move at a slow pace, sliding past one another and bumping into each other. As the edges of the plates are quite rough, they get stuck with one another while the rest of the plate keeps moving. — Earthquake occurs when the plate has moved far enough and the edges unstick on one of the faults. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) says that 'the location below the Earth's surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the Earth is called the epicentre.' Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. With reference to 'ham' radio, consider the following statements: 1. It is used for educational and knowledge purposes. 2. Communication can be set up between two licensed hams. 3. In India, individuals below the age of 21 are not permitted to operate a ham radio. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Explanation — Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian astronaut, used a ham radio from the International Space Station to communicate with schoolchildren in his home country. — Amateur radio, sometimes known as ham radio, is a licensed radio service that uses radio waves to create communication. Ham radio service is mostly used for educational and informational purposes, as well as emergency or SOS communications. Trained ham operators can establish contact between two licensed amateur radio operators using a designated frequency, a transceiver, and an antenna. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct. — Communication might be hyper-local, global, or space-based. In India, everyone over the age of 12 is entitled to use a ham radio. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issues these licenses. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. — In 1983, amateur radio was used for the first time on a space shuttle to communicate between space and Earth. — The ISS also contains a ham radio, called the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), which is frequently used to coordinate astronaut-student contacts. The goal of such exchanges is to encourage the next generation. — This teaching opportunity is supported by amateur radio organisations, as well as space agencies in the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, and Europe, which provide equipment and operational support. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. With reference to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), consider the following statements: 1. It was established as a successor to INCOSPAR in 1969. 2. It is the nodal space agency under the Department of Space (DoS), which was formed in 1972. 3. Its core mandate includes designing launch vehicles, satellites, and applying space technology for societal development. 4. ISRO functions autonomously under the Ministry of Science & Technology. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 4 only (b) 1, 2 and 3 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) All of the above Explanation — Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of India. The organisation is involved in science, engineering and technology to harvest the benefits of outer space for India and the mankind. — ISRO is a major constituent of the Department of Space (DOS), Government of India. The department executes the Indian Space Programme primarily through various Centres or units within ISRO. — ISRO was previously the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), set up by the Government of India in 1962, as envisioned by Dr. VikramA Sarabhai. — ISRO was formed on August 15, 1969 and superseded INCOSPAR with an expanded role to harness space technology. DOS was set up and ISRO was brought under DOS in 1972. — The prime objective of ISRO/DOS is the development and application of space technology for various national needs. — ISRO has developed satellite launch vehicles, PSLV and GSLV, to place the satellites in the required orbits. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. (Other source: What are Population III stars? (a) the first stars in the universe (b) the recent stars in the universe. (c) the smallest, long-living, dim stars. (d) None of the above Explanation — The very first stars — so-called Population III stars — were unlike any we see today. Born from pristine hydrogen and helium, they were massive, short-lived, and intensely bright. Some may have been hundreds of times the mass of our Sun, burning hot and dying young in titanic supernovae that scattered heavy elements across space. These explosions seeded the universe with the ingredients for future generations of stars, planets, and eventually, life. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. With reference to 'reionization', consider the following statements: 1. It is an important phenomenon in our universe's history as it presents one of the few means by which we can (indirectly) study these earliest stars. 2. Scientists have recently discovered when the first stars were formed and when the reionization process started to occur. Which of the above given statements is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation According to 'The energetic ultraviolet light from these first stars was capable of splitting hydrogen atoms back into electrons and protons (or ionizing them). This era, from the end of the dark ages to when the universe was around a billion years old, is known as 'the epoch of reionization.' It refers to the point when most of the neutral hydrogen was reionized by the increasing radiation from the first massive stars. Reionization is an important phenomenon in our universe's history as it presents one of the few means by which we can (indirectly) study these earliest stars. But scientists do not know exactly when the first stars formed and when this reionization process started to occur.' Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 119) Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 121) Daily subject-wise quiz — Science and Technology (Week 120) Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 120) Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 120) Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 120) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. Manas Srivastava is currently working as Senior Copy Editor with The Indian Express (digital) and leads a unique initiative of IE - UPSC Essentials. He majorly writes on UPSC, other competitive exams and education-related projects. In the past, Manas has represented India at the G-20 Youth Summit in Mexico. He is a former member of the Youth Council, GOI. A two-time topper/gold medallist in History (both in graduation and post-graduation) from Delhi University, he has mentored and taught UPSC aspirants for more than five years. His diverse role in The Indian Express consists of writing, editing, anchoring/ hosting, interviewing experts, and curating and simplifying news for the benefit of students. He hosts the YouTube talk show called 'Art and Culture with Devdutt Pattanaik' and a LIVE series on Instagram and YouTube called 'LIVE with Manas'.His talks on 'How to read a newspaper' focus on newspaper reading as an essential habit for students. His articles and videos aim at finding solutions to the general queries of students and hence he believes in being students' editor, preparing them not just for any exam but helping them to become informed citizens. This is where he makes his teaching profession meet journalism. He is also the editor of UPSC Essentials' monthly magazine for the aspirants. He is a recipient of the Dip Chand Memorial Award, the Lala Ram Mohan Prize and Prof. Papiya Ghosh Memorial Prize for academic excellence. He was also awarded the University's Post-Graduate Scholarship for pursuing M.A. in History where he chose to specialise in Ancient India due to his keen interest in Archaeology. He has also successfully completed a Certificate course on Women's Studies by the Women's Studies Development Centre, DU. As a part of N.S.S in the past, Manas has worked with national and international organisations and has shown keen interest and active participation in Social Service. He has led and been a part of projects involving areas such as gender sensitisation, persons with disability, helping slum dwellers, environment, adopting our heritage programme. He has also presented a case study on 'Psychological stress among students' at ICSQCC- Sri Lanka. As a compere for seminars and other events he likes to keep his orating hobby alive. His interests also lie in International Relations, Governance, Social issues, Essays and poetry. ... Read More
