The Lyrids meteor shower is set to be visible across the Netherlands from April 14 to 30, depending on the weather. The Lyrids are an annual astronomical event, which in 2025 are expected to peak on the night of April 22 to 23.
The Lyrids are one of the oldest astronomical events ever recorded, with some historical Chinese texts noting the phenomenon’s existence. According to those texts, the meteor shower may have even been visible as long as 2.500 years ago.
The meteor shower has its origins in the comet Thatcher, which takes 415 years to orbit the sun and is predicted to be visible from Earth again in the year 2276. The meteors in this shower broke away from the comet and burned up in the atmosphere, before potentially hitting the ground and becoming meteorites.
The Lyrids meteor shower will be visible not just in the Netherlands but across the world more broadly, too. To get the best chance of seeing the display, head out to a dark spot, such as a national park, and away from the city where there is too much light so that you can enjoy the spectacle in darkness.
To avoid getting a sore neck, experts recommend lying down to take in the view, as well as allowing enough time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness - this could take up to 20 minutes! "Though not as fast or as plentiful as the famous Perseids in August, Lyrids can surprise watchers with as many as 100 meteors seen per hour," NASA wrote on its website. "Up to 20 meteors an hour can be seen during the shower’s peak."