This Year, The Lyrids Meteor Shower Above Arizona Will Peak On Earth Day In A Celestial Celebration

Earth Day happens once a year, but it doesn't always coincide with the peak of a meteor shower. On April 22 - Earth Day - the Lyrids meteor shower will be at its most active point. What a way to celebrate our planet!

Meteor showers occur all throughout the year, but the Lyrids are particularly special because they take place around Earth Day in mid-to-late April.

This year, the shower will actually peak on Earth Day, making for a celestial celebration visible from all over the world.

While the Lyrids aren't a particularly active meteor shower, they make up for it with brightness.

In fact, it's one of the brightest meteor showers of the entire year!

The Lyrids typically produce about 18 meteors per hour - which, compared to the upwards of 150 seen in the Geminids, doesn't sound like much - but there are rare exceptions.

Once every 60 years or so, a "Lyrid outburst" occurs, a phenomenon that sent more than 700 meteors hurtling through the sky back in 1803.

Sadly, the full moon will further complicate things this year.

The meteors will have to compete with its brightness, so don't expect the most dazzling performance you've ever seen.

Here's the good news: viewing the Lyrids doesn't require any special equipment (nope, not even a pair of binoculars).

Even with several factors working against us, we can still observe the shower with our naked eyes.

In general, a good rule of thumb with celestial events is to find the most remote viewing location possible.

That shouldn't be too difficult here in Arizona, considering we have some of the darkest skies on Earth.

We can't wait to celebrate our home planet in such a special way.

Don't forget to stay up past midnight on April 22 and enjoy the show!

Click here to learn more about the Lyrids.

Will you be watching the Lyrids meteor shower peak on Earth Day this year? If so, where in Arizona do you plan on viewing it from? Let us know in the comments section, and check out our previous article for more information about dark skies in Arizona.