(WAND) - Showers return to central Illinois, and not just in the form of rain. April is the time of the year for one of the oldest recorded meteor showers; the Lyrids.
Originating from the comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, the Lyrids are visible each year around April 16 to April 25, with peak activity this year on Monday night, April 21.
The Lyrids can produce around 20 meteors per hour at their peak, making them a modest yet exciting display. What sets this meteor shower apart from others is its historical significance; records of the Lyrids date back to over 2,600 years ago in ancient China.
The best viewing conditions involve dark, clear skies away from any light pollution. The meteors are best seen after midnight until dawn, as the radiant point in Lyra rises higher in the sky.
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