See Lyrid Meteor Shower at Its Stunning Peak

As many as 20 meteors an hour traveled through the night sky.

ByABC News
April 23, 2015, 10:02 AM
A long exposure photograph shows stars and meteors illuminating the sky during the Lyrid meteor shower in Yangon, Myanmar on April 23, 2015.
A long exposure photograph shows stars and meteors illuminating the sky during the Lyrid meteor shower in Yangon, Myanmar on April 23, 2015.
Lynn Bo Bo/EPA

— -- The dazzling Lyrid meteor shower reached its peak overnight with as many as 20 meteors per hour darting through the night sky.

The meteors are pieces of the comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher and have made an appearance every April for at least the past 2,600 years as Earth runs into a stream of debris from the comet.

Peak meteor action began around 10:30 p.m. local time in the Northern Hemisphere, while people in the Southern Hemisphere were able to catch a glimpse after midnight local time.

PHOTO: This long-exposure photograph taken on Earth Day shows the Lyrids meteor shower passing near the Milky Way in the clear night sky of Thanlyin, nearly 14 miles away from Yangon on April 23, 2015.
This long-exposure photograph taken on Earth Day shows the Lyrids meteor shower passing near the Milky Way in the clear night sky of Thanlyin, nearly 14 miles away from Yangon on April 23, 2015.

The most breathtaking views were in areas with an unobstructed view of the sky away from artificial lights. While the Lyrid has peaked, the annual meteor shower is expected to continue to a lesser extent into the weekend.

PHOTO: This long-exposure photograph taken on Earth Day shows the Lyrids meteor shower passing near the Milky Way in the clear night sky of Thanlyin, nearly 14 miles away from Yangon on April 23, 2015.
This long-exposure photograph taken on Earth Day shows the Lyrids meteor shower passing near the Milky Way in the clear night sky of Thanlyin, nearly 14 miles away from Yangon on April 23, 2015.

The annual show is known for its unpredictability. In the past, as many as 90 meteors per hour have streaked across the sky, providing a spectacular view.