Catch the Lyrid Meteor Shower in Western North Carolina

The second meteor shower of 2026 is set to light up the skies over Asheville and beyond.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 9:09am

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A highly structured abstract painting in soft, earthy tones depicting the Lyrid meteor shower as a sweeping, concentric composition of intersecting waveforms and precise celestial spirals, conveying the beauty and order of the cosmic event.The Lyrid meteor shower will light up the night skies over Western North Carolina, offering a dazzling display of celestial wonder.Asheville Today

The Lyrid meteor shower will be visible in the skies over Western North Carolina from April 15 to April 29, with the peak occurring on April 22. Stargazers can expect to see 10-15 meteors per hour during the shower's peak, with the possibility of rare, heavier showers producing up to 100 meteors per hour. The best viewing conditions will be after 1:30 a.m. on April 22 when the first quarter moon sets, allowing for darker skies.

Why it matters

Meteor showers are a popular astronomical event that draw crowds of sky watchers each year. The Lyrid shower is the second of the year, following the Quadrantids in January, and provides an opportunity for residents of Western North Carolina to enjoy a celestial display without having to travel far from home.

The details

The Lyrid meteor shower is an annual event that occurs when the Earth passes through the debris field left by the comet Thatcher. While not as prolific as the Perseids in August, the Lyrids can still produce 10-20 meteors per hour at their peak. In rare instances, heavier showers have been observed, with up to 100 meteors per hour recorded in the past. To get the best view, stargazers should head to dark sky locations away from light pollution, such as the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI), which is North Carolina's only certified Dark Sky Park.

  • The Lyrid meteor shower will first appear on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
  • The shower will peak on April 22, 2026.
  • The first quarter moon will set at 1:30 a.m. in the Asheville area on April 22, 2026, providing the best viewing conditions.

The players

Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI)

North Carolina's only certified Dark Sky Park, which holds regular viewing events for significant astronomical events under a particularly dark sky.

Tim Brothers

A technical instructor and observatory manager at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who has explained that seeing meteor showers is possible with the naked eye, but binoculars can enhance the viewing experience.

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What they’re saying

“Seeing meteor showers is possible with the naked eye, but as in the case of any celestial event, binoculars always help.”

— Tim Brothers, Technical Instructor and Observatory Manager

What’s next

The Lyrid meteor shower will be followed by several other meteor showers in 2026, including the Eta Aquariids in May, the Delta Aquariids in July, and the Perseids in August.

The takeaway

The Lyrid meteor shower provides a unique opportunity for residents of Western North Carolina to enjoy a celestial display without having to travel far from home. By heading to dark sky locations like PARI, stargazers can maximize their chances of seeing up to 20 meteors per hour during the shower's peak.