The Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks in the UK this bank holiday weekend
One of the most common celestial events to grace our skies are meteor showers. Last month there was the Lyrids and before that was the Quadrantids. Now, this bank holiday weekend, we're in for another dose of spectacular shooting stars.
Here's everything you need to know if you want to catch sight of the Eta Aquariid meteor shower.
What is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower?
Like all other meteor showers, the Eta Aquariid shower is essentially loads of space debris left behind by comets or asteroids that shoot through the solar system and burn up when they fall through the Earth's atmosphere (at up to 70km per second), creating those dazzling streaks of light that we like to call shooting stars.
This particular shower is made up of debris from Halley's Comet, the most famous comet in our solar system. According to Royal Museums Greenwich, the Eta Aquariid shower is typically low in the sky and has a possible hourly rate of 50.
It occurs around this time every year and its name comes from the constellation that it appears to radiate from: Aquarius.
When is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower?
The shower has been active since April 19 and will continue to be until May 28.
What is the best time to see the Eta Aquariid meteor shower?
The Eta Aquarrids are expected to peak between midnight and dawn on Monday, May 5. Experts also say that it'll be particularly active on Tuesday morning at around 4am.
Top tips to see the meteor shower
Whenever you want to see a celestial spectacle in its full glory, you should head somewhere with minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view of the horizon (the UK's national parks tend to be a good bet). And, of course, it needs to be a clear night.
There's no need to fork out on a fancy telescope, you should be able to see the shooting stars with the naked eye. If you do want a closer look, a pair of binoculars will do the trick. Once you've set up camp, you'll need to be patient. Your eyes will need around 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness (that includes not looking at your phone), then you simply wait and let the magic happen.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
17 hours ago
- Telegraph
Perseid meteor shower: When and how to watch the celestial spectacle
Stargazers will have their best chance to see the annual Perseid meteor shower on Tuesday night. The Perseid shower can contain 50 to 100 meteors per hour, and has been described by Nasa as the 'most popular meteor shower of the year'. Here is everything you need to know about how and when to catch the display in the skies above Britain. What is the Perseid meteor shower? Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through a stream of meteoroids, which are pieces of debris left behind by a comet. In the case of the Perseid shower, the comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle has passed through the solar system and left a giant, invisible trail of space debris. Upon coming into contact with the Earth's atmosphere, the debris burns up – creating bright, fiery streaks which we can see. The Perseid shower – named after Perseus, the constellation that the meteors are believed to originate from – are also known for their fireballs. These are characterised by larger explosions of light and colour which stay in the sky for longer than the average meteor streak. What time will it be visible? The Perseid shower has been active since July 17 and will continue until Aug 24. Your best chance of catching a glimpse is from midnight on Tuesday until the early hours of Wednesday. Where is the best place to watch? Visibility of this year's Perseid meteor shower may be hindered by the Sturgeon Moon – the name given to the August full moon – which will continue to illuminate the night sky on Tuesday. Stargazers in northern England, East Anglia and the Midlands are expected to have clear skies throughout the night, with some cloudy spots in Northern Ireland as well as the south coast and north-west of England. To give yourself the best chance of seeing the phenomenon, avoid areas with lots of lights, such as towns and cities, which can create a glare and obscure your view. Lying down with a view of the whole sky gives you the best chance of spotting meteors. Ensure you give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness – it can take about 20 minutes for them to adapt.
Leader Live
a day ago
- Leader Live
Eryri the UK's best spot to watch Perseid meteor shower
The Perseid meteor shower is one of the brightest and fastest meteor showers of the year. The shower lights up the night sky each summer and is known for its fast-moving meteors - often dubbed "shooting stars". "The Perseid (Per-see-id) meteor shower is one of the most dramatic things to see in the night sky between July and August, and is a highlight of many meteor hunters' calendars due to its high hourly rate and bright meteors," Royal Museums Greenwich adds. The Perseids come from a comet called Swift–Tuttle, which orbits the Sun once every 133 years. The rocks collide with Earth's atmosphere at high speeds (between seven and 45 miles per second, causing the meteors to vaporise and leave behind a bright trail of light, also known as shooting stars. The average speed for a Perseid meteor is around 36 miles per second, according to Royal Museums Greenwich. The Perseid meteor shower has been active since July 17 and is expected to last until August 24. However, tonight (Tuesday, August 12) will be the best time to see them as the shower reaches its peak, with around 150 meteors per hour expected, Royal Museums Greenwich reports. The best time to see the meteor shower will be between 12am and 5:30am. 🌠 The Perseid meteor shower peaks overnight on 12 August! However, the almost-full Moon will unfortunately drown out a lot of the fainter meteors. Learn more, including when and where to see them, here: 📷 Meteor Shower Over the Lighthouse © Yoshiki Abe For those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Perseid meteor shower, Royal Museums Greenwich has provided a few tips to help: The UK's best spots for stargazing and catching a glimpse of the Perseid meteor shower, according to Planet Cruise, are: Recommended Reading: How can you take a photo of the Northern Lights? (A guide for beginners) WATCH: Family captures 'bright shooting star' on doorbell camera BBC and Met Office to join forces to deliver UK's 'most-trusted' weather service Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park was named the UK's best stargazing spot by Planet Cruise, making it the ideal location for watching the Perseid meteor shower. The experts explained: "With an elevation of 700 metres and extremely low light pollution, it offers breathtaking views of the Milky Way, constellations, and even meteor showers. "The vast national park provides numerous vantage points, ensuring an unforgettable stargazing experience."
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Exact time Scots can catch Perseid meteor shower light up sky tonight
The shower is expected to be one of the most beautiful night-sky events of the year. The amateur stargazers among us are in for a treat tonight, August 12, as the Perseid meteor shower is to peak, creating a dazzling display of shooting lights across the skyline. The annual event is known as one of the best of the year, as the meteors streak their way across the summer sky. Visible to the naked eye, Scots will be able to see the naturally-occurring light show if skies are clear. The visibility of the shower may also be diminished by bright moonlight, so keep this in mind when trying to spot the lights. One Scottish area was recently named as the best place in the country to see the spectacle, making things even better for locals. But as the meteor shower peaks tonight, exactly when will it be most visible? Here's everything you need to know about catching the dazzling cosmic light event this evening. What is the Perseid meteor shower? A meteor shower is a trail of dust or debris left behind by comets or asteroids. When the Earth passes these trails, they show up as light streaks across the sky. The Perseids come from a comet called Swift–Tuttle, which orbits the Sun once every 133 years, according to the BBC. They get their name from the constellation Perseus, which is where the meteors appear to come from. The comet's dust particles enter Earth's atmosphere at speeds of about 37 miles (59 kilometres) per second, travelling so fast that they burn up and cause bright flashes in the night sky. The Perseids have been seen annually for nearly 2,000 years, with some of the earliest records dating back to ancient China. What time can Scots catch the Perseid meteor shower tonight? According to Royal Museums Greenwich, the optimum time to catch the shower in the UK will be between midnight and 5.30am. The peak of the shower happens tonight, August 12, and it was also at its strongest last night, August 11. However, the bright August full moon, named the Sturgeon Moon, will make it harder to catch all of the meteors. It's likely that around one or two fireballs will be visible per hour, rather than the full 100 due to bright moonlight drowning out the meteors. To avoid the brightness of the recent full moon, stargazers should consider viewing the shower on August 16 and 17, when skies will be darker. However, meteor activity will be lower at this time, as the shower will be past its peak. Will skies be clear tonight? While the bright moon may slightly hinder the view of the shower, skies over Scotland are to be mostly clear tonight, according to the Met Office, increasing your chances of spotting the space event. The country is also to be almost completely dry, so there's no need to worry about rainfall obstructing your view of the beautiful lights streaking across the sky. Temperatures are to be mild tonight, ranging in the mid-to-high teens, so if you're venturing out to spot the shower, you can expect the mercury to be mild and comfortable. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
