Two must-see meteor showers are taking place simultaneously this week

There are two must-see meteor showers happening this week, and here's everything you need to know about them to get the best glimpse.

It's going to be a great month for stargazers. Credit: Daniel Garrido / Getty

April isn’t just about soggy sidewalks and blooming flowers — it’s also prime time for some of the most dazzling meteor showers and cosmic events of the year.

From the fiery streaks of the Lyrids to the super-speedy Eta Aquarids, the night sky is turning into a full-blown light show.

And yes, you don’t need a telescope to catch it — just a clear sky, some patience, and a good spot away from the glare of city lights.

You won't need a telescope to see these showers! Credit: bojanstory / Getty

So, what exactly is a meteor shower?

When Earth plows through clouds of space debris left behind by comets, those tiny cosmic particles burn up in our atmosphere, creating what we know as meteors — or “shooting stars.”

According to NASA, it’s actually the heated air around the rock that causes the bright glow as it zips through the sky at high speeds.

But what can we expect in April?

The Lyrids Are Here First

First up, the Lyrids. This meteor shower, which originates from Comet Thatcher, is set to bring some serious dazzle. It’s expected to peak between April 21 and 22, but you can start spotting meteors as early as April 17, continuing through April 26, according to NASA.

Known for their speed and brightness, the Lyrids typically dish out five to six meteors per hour, but when they hit their peak, that number jumps to 10 to 20 meteors per hour.

Your best bet for catching them is to head out after dark and before dawn, and make sure you’re far away from any city lights.

Let your eyes adjust for about 30 minutes, and you’ll start seeing the magic unfold. This show goes on until sunrise, so you’ve got plenty of time to soak it in.

The Lyrid Meteor Shower will light up the night sky. Credit: Kevin Key / Slworking / Getty

The Eta Aquarids

Hot on the heels of the Lyrids are the Eta Aquarids, and these guys are FAST.

Clocking in at about 40 miles per second, they leave behind glowing streaks that can linger for seconds—or even minutes. These meteors originate from the legendary Comet Halley, and they’ll be visible between April 20 and May 21, with peak viewing on May 3 and 4, according to NASA.

While they’re best viewed in the southern hemisphere (where they appear higher in the sky), folks in the northern hemisphere won’t be left out.

You can still catch around 10 meteors per hour — these are known as “Earthgrazers” because they skim across the horizon.

Again, viewing is best before dawn, and a dark sky is your best friend.

The meteor showers are just the start. April also offers up a cosmic bonus round: the Pleiades star cluster aligning with the moon, and even a cameo from Jupiter, according to EarthSky.

You need to escape light pollution to get the best view. Credit: zhengshun tang / Getty

For astronomy fans looking to up the ante, this month is also prime time for the “Messier Marathon”, a challenge where skywatchers try to spot up to 110 different deep-sky objects like galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.

Oh, and don’t forget the northern lights.

Thanks to the ongoing solar maximum, aurora sightings are ramping up. This heightened solar activity, expected to continue into March 2026, boosts the chances of seeing those eerie green and purple waves even farther south than usual.

Final Tips for Skywatchers

• Go dark: Get as far from artificial light as possible.
• Get comfy: Bring a blanket, a chair, or just lie back and relax.
• Be patient: Let your eyes adjust for at least 30 minutes.
• Look up and enjoy: You don’t need fancy gear—just your eyes and some curiosity.

Featured image credit: Haitong Yu / Getty Images