Chance to see shooting stars tonight from France

People across France can expect to see a shower of shooting stars tonight, with activity peaking at around 05:00 on Tuesday morning (April 22). 

NASA states that stars should be visible to the naked eye after about 22:30 local time, until dawn, with “up to 15 meteors per hour near the peak under dark skies.” 

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This phenomenon is known as the April Lyrids and has been observed for 2,700 years, occurring annually as Earth passes through a stream of comet dust.

The Lyrids are named after the constellation Lyra from which the stars appear to come, however the constellation is not the source of the meteors.

Tips for spotting the Lyrids

NASA recommends lying down in an east facing open dark space for an optimal viewing experience.

The moon will rise at only 27% full, meaning its light should not interfere with meteor observations.

“Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, and some Lyrids can leave bright trails that last for a few seconds after they have passed,” explains NASA. 

Read also: Our interview with the creator of France's summer stargazing extravaganza