There is no doubt about it: the Hawaiian Islands are home to some of the world’s most breathtaking natural beauty, but what if I told you that the Aloha State is just as magnificent after the sun has slipped beyond the horizon? From the Milky Way as seen from the summit of Hawaii’s tallest mountains — Mauna Kea and Mount Haleakala — to next month’s Lyrid meteor shower, we are obsessed with the night sky above the Hawaiian Islands.
Each and every year, a celestial event unlike any other lights up the night sky between April 16 and 25 and you’re going to want to mark your calendar!
Sugarbear96/Flickr
Not only is this meteor shower the earliest recorded in modern time — it dates all the way back to 687 BC — but the Lyrids features surges of up to 100 meteors per hour.
Virginia State Parks/Flickr
Named after the constellation Lyra, the fireballs in the meteor shower are created by debris Thatcher, a comet that takes approximately 415 years to orbit around the sun and will be visible from the earth again in 2276.
Mike Lewinski/Flickr
The Lyrids are expected to peak on the night between April 21 and 22, 2020, and it’s the perfect chance to see this astrological event. Because the peak coincides with the new moon on April 22, visibility should be excellent.
Phillip Chee/Flickr
Most years, stargazers will see between 10 and 20 shooting stars per hour at peak intensity, but there have been true meteor showers documented with peak rates of 100 meteors per hour! The last time this happened was 1982, so we’re likely due for another epic event!
Jeremy Gillard/Flickr
Luckily, you don’t need any special equipment to view this meteor shower: all you need is a clear sky, plenty of patience, and a sky map. Head out to a secluded spot away from city lights and give your eyes plenty of time to adjust to the darkness.
Sugarbear96/Flickr
Here in Hawaii, the best time to see the meteors belonging to the Lyrids will be between 9 p.m. and midnight HST on April 21, so grab a blanket, get away from the lights, and look to the skies!
Billy/Flickr
While the night sky above Hawaii is sure to be stunning during this epic meteor shower, the islands are also one of the best places for stargazing in the world thanks to low light pollution and unobstructed views from the summits of our tallest mountains. Where is your favorite place to stargaze in Hawaii?
Sugarbear96/Flickr
Virginia State Parks/Flickr
Mike Lewinski/Flickr
Phillip Chee/Flickr
Jeremy Gillard/Flickr
Billy/Flickr
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