Scottish islands named best place to see '100 fireballs' Perseid meteor shower
Scottish stargazers are in for a treat this week, as a meteor shower that has been illuminating night skies is to reach its peak.The Perseid meteor shower has been active since July 17 and is to end on August 24, with the number of meteors increasing every night.
The space rocks are set to reach peaks of up to 60 meteors per hour tomorrow night, Tuesday, August 12, and one set of Scottish islands has been ranked among the UK's best spots to catch them in action.
In new research compiled by the travel experts at Planet Cruise, the Shetland Islands have been named as Scotland's Stargazing haven, ranking sixth in the top 10 UK-wide list and the only Scottish location overall.
The Perseid meteor shower has been described as "one of the most dramatic things to see in the night sky" by experts at the Royal Greenwich Museum.
The average speed for a Perseid meteor is 36 miles per second, creating a flaming spectacle as each one squashes the air in front, heating it to thousands of degrees - making for a stunning spectacle meteor hunters surely won't want to miss.
Due to their remote location in the northeast of the country, these rugged islands offer breathtaking dark skies, with minimal light pollution and vast open horizons perfect for stargazing.
Their northern latitude also increases the chances of witnessing the spectacular Aurora Borealis, making Shetland a dream destination for astro-tourists.
Whether observing the Milky Way from the dramatic coastline or catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights, the Shetland Islands provide an unforgettable celestial experience in one of the UK's most unspoiled locations.
The archipelago is formed of more than 100 isles, with only 16 of them inhabited. Shetland include the Mainland, Yell, Fetlar, and Unst, the latter being Britain's most northerly island. Among these, there are plenty of high terrains to head to higher ground for the best chance at seeing celestial events.
In order to find the best astronomy-friendly areas, Planet Cruise looked at a number of factors like average elevation and light pollution levels. Of these, the Shetland Islands has an average elevation of 4m and a low 0.2 light pollution average, based on three light pollution values from varying distances.
Other factors considered includes latitude coordinates and the number of Instagram posts mentioning the Northern Lights.
Elsewhere, Eryri in Wales, formerly known as Snowdonia, came in first overall as the UK's best place for stargazing.
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.
Other UK locations named include the Yorkshire Dales, the Cambrian Mountains in Wales and the Carding Mill Valley in Shropshire.
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Top 10 spots in the UK to see the Perseid meteor shower
Eryri (Snowdonia), Wales
Wasdale (Scafell Pike), Cumbria
Derwentwater, Cumbria
North York Moors, Yorkshire
Yorkshire Dales (Richmond), Yorkshire
Shetland Islands, Scotland
Black Down, West Sussex
Cambrian Mountains (Llanidloes), Wales
Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd, Shropshire
Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), Wales
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