Star gazers across Wales are in for a treat over the next week as an annual meteor shower is nearing its peak.
The Lyrids are produced by dust particles left behind by comet Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861 and takes about 415 years to orbit around the sun.
Records of the shower date back 2,700 years which make sit on of the worlds oldest known meteor showers. The dates of all the best meteor showers, supermoons and cosmic events in 2019
When will we be able to see the shooting stars?
The ideal weather conditions to see the Lyrid meteor shower are clear, cloudless skies. Ideally a location away from light pollution will be of benefit.
The good news is that the shower is best viewed in the northern hemisphere.
The bad news is that it is very close to the full moon which will make them less clear.
This is the general weather forecast for the Cardiff area over the coming days:
The shower has already started and will peak just before dawn on Tuesday, April 23.
First time star gazing in Wales? These are the best places to spot them .
How many shooting stars will I see?
There have been rare occasions when the Lyrids have reached 100 meteors an hour but it is usually closer to 10-20 at their peak.
They are beautiful but are not as prolific as the Perseids that are every Augest.
You can see a full list of all the The dates of all the best meteor showers, supermoons and cosmic events in 2019 .
