Lyrid Meteor Shower 2010 (PHOTOS) To Peak On April 22nd, Earth Day

Lyrid Meteor Shower 2010 (PHOTOS) To Peak On April 22nd, Earth Day

This year, the Lyrid meteor shower will be peaking on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

National Geographic has tips for the best ways and times to see the stars.

This year, Lyrid meteor activity began picking up on April 16, and the shower will run until April 25.

The Earth Day peak will actually come in the early morning hours of April 22, after the first quarter moon has sunk below the horizon, leaving dark skies. (Test your lunar smarts with our moon quiz.)

"The best time to look will be between the time of moonset [between 1 and 2 a.m., local time] and dawn, and the best way to observe the show is to recline comfortably, facing anywhere from north to east and gazing nearly overhead,"[Astronomer Anthony] Cook said.

In honor of the meteor shower, here are some cool photos from past meteor events. Enjoy! Photos and captions from AP.

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