The Lyrid meteor shower will illuminate the skies this week as keen stargazers could witness up to 20 bright shooting stars. The annual stellar display will reach its peak display tonight after being active since April 16. The oldest known meteor shower follows the astronomical phenomenon of the Blood Moon partial lunar eclipse in March, as well as the partial solar eclipse. 

However, the Lyrid shower will not disappoint in comparison, as multiple shooting stars can be seen each hour. Every year when the Earth passes through debris caused by a comet on its journey around the Sun, the display can be seen. The Earth travels following the Comet C/1861 G1 on its trail when multiple pieces of debris fall into space, burning up to create what we know as shooting stars. This is simply a bright, short-lived streak of light. 

The best time to see the shower is in the early morning of the peak day which is April 22, meaning Monday night into the early hours of Tuesday is the ideal time to spot the display. 

With any night event, it is best viewed in a dark sky, non-polluted location, away from tall buildings and lights. 

Professor of Astrophysics at The University of Manchester, Albert Zijlstra, explains why the phenomenon happens each spring. 

"We only see the comet every 400 years or so, but the debris is spread out over the entire orbit so we see it every April when the Earth intercepts this orbit," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"Parts of the orbit have denser debris than others. If we pass through such a dense patch, we could have a meteor storm.”

Prof Zijlstra says the Lyrids are a “moderate” swarm. This means star lovers could see one meteor every five minutes on average, increasing up to a potential one every minute on a clear, good night. 

To see the event, Prof Zijlstra said: “Be outside at around 2 to 4am, find a dark spot, take some 10-15 minutes for your eyes to get dark adjusted and look up.”

"If you need your phone, cover it in red cellophane so it keeps your night vision intact."

The yearly event is also known for its “surges” of up to 100 shooting stars an hour. The rare occurrence is “a matter of luck”, the astrophysics professor explains, which only lasts an hour less. They are also usually only visible from a certain area, and occur roughly every 60 years.