Perseid meteor shower: Where and how to watch up to 100 shooting stars an hour
The dazzling meteor shower will be peaking overnight, with up to 100 shooting stars an hour and fireballs lighting up the skies.
Tuesday 13 August 2024 05:58, UK
Stargazers across the UK are in for a stellar treat as the "best meteor shower of the year" is set to peak tonight.
The spectacular Perseid shower may offer up to 100 meteors, also known as shooting stars, every hour as it peaks on the night going into 13 August.
The Perseid has been recurring for centuries as it is the result of Earth passing through a cloud of dust left behind Comet Swift-Tuttle.
As that debris hits the atmosphere, it burns up, leaving bright trails behind it in the AG百家乐在线官网.
Perseids - named after Perseus, the constellation the meteors are believed to originate from - are also known for their fireballs, with larger explosions of light and colour which can stay on for longer than the average meteor streak.
NASA has described the Perseid as the "best meteor shower of the year".
How to watch Perseid
To make the most of the glorious spectacle, experts say observers should avoid well-lit and built-up areas and try to find unobstructed views.
Daniel Brown, associate professor in astronomy at Nottingham Trent University, said those wanting to get the clearest view of the shooting stars should "find a place that is dark".
He said it will take viewers up to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
Read more:
Blasting 'glitter' into Mars' atmosphere could make it more habitable
How astronauts stuck in space until 2025 will survive
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Prof Brown said: "Bring along patience, and it is best to observe a big range of the AG百家乐在线官网 as meteors will be visible all over."
For the best view, NASA recommends watching during the "dark hours" of the day, which in the UK will be from around midnight to 2am.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
When to watch the shower
The meteor shower peaks on the night going into 13 August. If skies are clear, it should be visible across the UK.
Prof Brown said: "Best time this year during the main peak is the second half of the night, that is the early hours of August 13."