Missed the Lyrids meteor shower? The Eta Aquarids, with up to 50 meteors per hour, is soon
The Lyrid meteor shower lit up Texas skies early Tuesday, giving stargazers the perfect chance to enjoy a celestial display.
Though not as dramatic as some of the more famous meteor showers, the Lyrids are a reliable annual event, producing up to 20 meteors per hour at their peak. The shower is caused by debris left behind by Comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861, according to timeanddate.com.
Named after the constellation Lyra, the Lyrids are one of the oldest known meteor showers — with records from China indicating it was observed more than 2,500 years ago. Comet Thatcher, the source of the Lyrids, takes about 415 years to orbit the Sun and won't be visible from Earth again until 2276.
But if you missed it, don't fret. The Eta Aquarids is just days away.
You won't have to wait long for another chance to catch falling stars.
The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is already active, and annually comes from April 19 to May 28. Peak viewing is expected on May 5 and 6.
This shower tends to be more of a spectacle, producing up to 50 meteors per hour at its peak. It's named after Eta Aquarii, one of the stars in the constellation Aquarius.
The Eta Aquarids is one of two meteor showers created by debris from Comet Halley. Earth crosses Halley's orbital path twice a year — once in spring and again in fall. The second crossing creates the Orionid meteor shower, which typically peaks around October 20.
Comet Halley takes about 76 years to complete one orbit around the Sun. The next time it will be visible from Earth is in 2061.
Unless clouds obstruct the view, Texans will have the opportunity to see the meteor shower in early May. The best viewing will be during the pre-dawn hours, from around 1 a.m. to 3 a.m., when the sky is darkest.
Texas is home to several International Dark Sky Communities, designated by the International Dark-Sky Association for their commitment to reducing light pollution and preserving night skies.
Dripping Springs, located about 23 miles west of Austin, was the first in Texas to earn this title in 2014 and the sixth in the world.
In addition to these communities, Texas also boasts several Dark Sky Places, which include larger natural areas like parks or preserves dedicated to protecting the night sky. These areas typically have minimal artificial light and offer educational opportunities about astronomy.
Notable examples of Dark Sky Places in Texas include Big Bend National Park, Enchanted Rock, and Devils River State Natural Area.
Here are the areas officially recognized for Dark Sky initiatives in Texas, which will be the best viewing places for the upcoming meteor showers.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Eta Aquarids meteor shower 2025: When and where to watch in Texas
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