A spectacular stargazing event is happening this month—and you can watch it for yourself right here in Chicago!
The Lyrid Meteor Shower will light up the night sky on Wednesday, April 22.
Here’s what to know about the phenomenon and where to catch a glimpse in the Windy City.
All about the Lyrids
The Lyrid Meteor Shower occurs every year between April 16 and 25, producing up to 20 meteors per hour, according to Space.com.
In rare instances, the shower experience an “outburst” in which as many as 100 meteors per hour rain down.
The Lyrids are notable among common meteors for their dust trains, which can remain visible for several seconds at a time.
This year the meteor shower will peak in the very early hours of April 22, so be sure to wake up bright and early if you want to catch the stars falling in action.
Where to watch
The best areas to watch the meteor shower are locations with minimal light pollution. In Chicago, there’s no better spot than our sprawling lakefront.
We recommend heading to designated areas like the Montrose Moonrise Observation Point or the Adler Planetarium peninsula for unobstructed views.
Learn more about the Lyrids here.