Two meteor showers peak quickly over Mississippi. Right here’s when to look at

Love to look at capturing stars? You’ll have a couple of probability to catch them over Mississippi skies this spring — and also you received’t have to remain up all evening.

Two meteor showers are set to peak between mid‑April and early May, with the very best viewing taking place within the early morning hours earlier than dawn.

The Lyrid meteor bathe arrives first, adopted intently by the eta Aquariids later within the month. While stargazing is usually considered a late‑evening exercise, these exhibits are greatest considered between midnight and daybreak. So chances are you’ll want an alarm clock and low to catch them.

Moonlight and cloud cowl might have an effect on visibility on some nights, however clear skies might nonetheless provide spectacular views.

When does the Lyrids meteor bathe begin? When will it peak?

The Lyrids run from April 14 to April 30, 2026. The American Meteor Society calls it a medium-strength bathe.

The peak will probably be on Wednesday, April 22. Good visibility can also be doable the nights earlier than and after — April 21 and April 23.

What time can I see the Lyrids?

The Lyrids are greatest considered within the Northern Hemisphere in the course of the darkest hours between midnight and daybreak.

The website Time and Date offers detailed viewing occasions and sky maps. So yow will discover probably the most correct info to your location.

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How to see the Lyrids

The meteors appear to radiate from the constellation Lyra. It’s close to a vibrant star named Vega.

Need assist recognizing it? Vega is seen within the northeast from about 9-10 p.m. CT. Vega will climb upward via the evening, according to Earth Sky.

The meteors seem to come back from that course. But NASA recommends wanting away from the radiant to see longer, extra dramatic streaks.

Dark places away from streetlights and metropolis glow will provide the very best views.

How many Lyrid meteors will we see per hour?

NASA says the Lyrids can shock watchers with as much as 100 meteors per hour. But most individuals can see about 10-20 per hour in the course of the peak.

The Lyrids are recognized for vibrant, colourful meteors, in line with EarthSky. Sometimes the bathe produces very vibrant fireballs.

When does the eta Aquariids meteor bathe begin? When will it peak?

The eta Aquariids run from April 19 via May 28. The American Meteor Society says it is a medium-strength bathe within the Northern Hemisphere, however it’s stronger within the southern tropics.

The peak will probably be on May 5-6. The moon will probably be about 84% full, which might cut back visibility.

Better viewing situations could come within the three days main as much as the height. It’s when the bathe is ramping up and earlier than moonlight turns into brighter.

What time can I see the Aquariids?

Like the Lyrids, the eta Aquariids are greatest considered between midnight and daybreak.

Check Time and Date to get probably the most correct info for the place you intend to look at from.

How to see the Aquariids

NASA recommends mendacity flat in a darkish space the place you’ll be able to see as a lot of the sky as doable. Give your eyes about half-hour to regulate to the darkness for greatest outcomes.

How many Aquariid meteors will we see per hour?

You might see 10-30 per hour simply earlier than daybreak, in line with the American Meteor Society.

NASA mentioned eta Aquariid meteors usually present up as “Earthgrazers” within the Northern Hemisphere. That means they appear lengthy and might appear to skim alongside Earth’s floor on the horizon.

When is the following full moon?

May 2026 can have two full moons.

The Flower Moon will rise on Friday, May 1. The second, known as a Blue Moon, will rise on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY NETWORK. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending information for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com.