See Lyrid Meteor Shower at Its Stunning Peak

— -- 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.

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.

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.