Astronomical events visible to the naked eye are always fascinating, but even more so when it comes to one of the oldest known to humanity. The Lyrids are considered by NASA to be the oldest meteor shower, with over 2,000 years of recorded observations. More specifically, the first recorded sighting of a Lyrid meteor shower dates back to 687 BC by the Chinese.
This year, like every April, the skies in the Northern Hemisphere are once again set to witness the magical visit of up to 100 meteors per hour during the last days of the month. In SoCal, and specifically in Los Angeles, the peak of activity will occur on the night of the 22nd into the early morning of the 23rd.
To see the shooting stars, you just need to be in a location with little light pollution (ideally a quiet street or a park), where there are no obstructions like tall trees or mountains. It’s also important for the sky to be clear, and fortunately, the forecast predicts completely clear skies for April 22. If you’d like, you can bring binoculars or a telescope to get a closer look, but full visibility is expected even without these tools.
For guaranteed views of the Lyrids, astronomy fans’ favorite spot is Joshua Tree. Not only for its tranquility but also for its proximity to the city, just a two-hour drive away.