The Lyrid meteor shower is brightening up the sky over the UK tonight

The spectacular display of shooting stars is set to take place tonight as the Lyrid meteor shower peaks.

The Lyrid meteor shower is a collection of debris from the Comet Thatcher that occurs naturally each year in mid-late April, reaching its peak tonight (between Tuesday 21st April and Wednesday 22nd April).

Throughout the peak of the shower there will be up to 18 meteors an hour visible in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

The Lyrid meteor shower is described as one as the most significant with tonnes of ‘shooting stars’ visible throughout the night. 

For best chances of seeing the shower, The Royal Observatory Greenwich advises looking to the sky between midnight and dawn tonight.

It said: “Wait until after midnight when the radiant point, in the constellation of Lyra, will have risen in the East.

“The later in the morning you wait, the higher the radiant will rise and the fewer meteors will be hidden below the horizon. But the closer you get to sunrise the brighter the sky is going to become so plan accordingly!”

The Lyrid meteor show is the oldest recorded meteor shower that is still visible today. The Lyrids get their name from the constellation, Lyra, which contains the star Vega. 

There is expected clear skies tonight so wrap up warm and get comfy in your garden looking for shooting stars! 

Following the peak the meteor shower will continue until around April 25th.