Perseids Meteor Shower: How To See Shooting Stars This Weekend
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3 months ago
Don't miss out on this starry light show
Missed the Northern Lights earlier this year? Fear not: there’s another celestial sight coming this weekend, which should be visible from the UK. Keep your eyes peeled for the Perseid meteor shower, one of the biggest displays of shooting stars, which is set to reach its peak on 11 – 12 August 2024.
When & How To See The Perseids
What Is The Perseid Meteor Shower?
There are lots of meteor showers each year, but the Perseid is considered the most dazzling. The Perseid meteors are caused by Earth passing through debris (bits of ice and rock) left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun once every 133 years. These meteoroids burn up as they hit the Earth’s atmosphere, producing shooting streams of light in the sky.
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When Will The Perseid Meteor Shower Be Visible?
The Perseids are visible between mid-July to late August, but the shower will reach its peak overnight on 11 – 12 August. This year, the lunar conditions are particularly good, with a quarter moon setting around midnight (darker skies means brighter meteors). For your best chance at spotting some shooting stars, head out between midnight and 5.30am on Monday morning. According to NASA, during the Perseid’s peak, you can expect to see an average of up to 100 meteors per hour. It’s likely this will be more like 40 an hour due to conditions, but that’s still a lot of shooting star potential.
Where Can You See The Perseids?
Technically, the Perseid Meteor Shower can be seen all over the Northern Hemisphere. However, places with dark skies will offer a better show – hence why it can be trickier to spot celestial events in London, where there’s lots of light pollution. If you are in the capital, consider going to a park – Parliament Hill and Richmond Park are both popular locations for meteor-spotting.
Alternatively, take a trip somewhere more rural. This list of dark sky places highlights some of the best spots in the country (think national parks and remote landscapes).
