Latest news with #PlanetCruise
Leader Live
14 hours ago
- Science
- 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."
North Wales Chronicle
21 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Eryri named as best place in Britain for stargazing
The area is said to offer 'breathtaking views of the Milky Way, constellations, and even meteor showers,' with its high elevation of 700 metres and minimal light pollution. Research by Planet Cruise was carried out to help people interested in seeing the Perseid meteor shower, active until August 24. A peak of 60 meteors per hour expected on Monday, August 12. Ranked second-best spot in the UK for stargazing, Wasdale in Cumbria is home to Scafell Pike, England's highest peak. It boasts zero light pollution and an elevation of 351 metres, making it an ideal location for observing the night sky. The valleys and peaks of Wasdale offer unlimited opportunities for star enthusiasts. Other UK spots in the top 10 best locations for astro-tourism include Derwentwater in Cumbria, the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales, the Shetland Islands, Black Down in West Sussex, the Cambrian Mountains, Carding Mill Valley, and the Brecon Beacons. According to the study, there is a growing interest in astronomical events and astro-tourism, largely driven by several celestial phenomena that have brightened our skies recently, including a solar eclipse and the northern lights. This has led to a 53 per cent increase in travellers seeking destinations to experience the Aurora Borealis, and almost a third planning to visit dark sky reserves this year. READ MORE: Llandudno named one of UK's 'best revitalised resorts' and luxury hotel reaps praise North Wales Cricket League - Premier Division round-up On a global scale, Interlaken in Switzerland takes the number one spot for astro-tourism, thanks to its high elevation of 3,401 metres and low light pollution. The area is popular for its visible Milky Way and is also a favourite for winter sports and outdoor activities. Reykjavik in Iceland comes second worldwide due to its high latitude, offering some of the best opportunities to witness the Northern Lights. Despite some light pollution in the city, excursions to darker areas present spectacular Aurora Borealis views, with more than 41,000 Instagram posts capturing its magical displays. For those interested in more information on the best locations for astro-tourism, please visit Planet Cruise's website. For more information, visit their website at
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Rhyl Journal
Eryri named as best place in Britain for stargazing
The area is said to offer 'breathtaking views of the Milky Way, constellations, and even meteor showers,' with its high elevation of 700 metres and minimal light pollution. Research by Planet Cruise was carried out to help people interested in seeing the Perseid meteor shower, active until August 24. A peak of 60 meteors per hour expected on Monday, August 12. Ranked second-best spot in the UK for stargazing, Wasdale in Cumbria is home to Scafell Pike, England's highest peak. It boasts zero light pollution and an elevation of 351 metres, making it an ideal location for observing the night sky. The valleys and peaks of Wasdale offer unlimited opportunities for star enthusiasts. Other UK spots in the top 10 best locations for astro-tourism include Derwentwater in Cumbria, the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales, the Shetland Islands, Black Down in West Sussex, the Cambrian Mountains, Carding Mill Valley, and the Brecon Beacons. According to the study, there is a growing interest in astronomical events and astro-tourism, largely driven by several celestial phenomena that have brightened our skies recently, including a solar eclipse and the northern lights. This has led to a 53 per cent increase in travellers seeking destinations to experience the Aurora Borealis, and almost a third planning to visit dark sky reserves this year. READ MORE: Llandudno named one of UK's 'best revitalised resorts' and luxury hotel reaps praise North Wales Cricket League - Premier Division round-up On a global scale, Interlaken in Switzerland takes the number one spot for astro-tourism, thanks to its high elevation of 3,401 metres and low light pollution. The area is popular for its visible Milky Way and is also a favourite for winter sports and outdoor activities. Reykjavik in Iceland comes second worldwide due to its high latitude, offering some of the best opportunities to witness the Northern Lights. Despite some light pollution in the city, excursions to darker areas present spectacular Aurora Borealis views, with more than 41,000 Instagram posts capturing its magical displays. For those interested in more information on the best locations for astro-tourism, please visit Planet Cruise's website. For more information, visit their website at
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- North Wales Live
Wales is home to the best place to see Perseid meteor shower
UK stargazers are in for a celestial spectacle this month as the renowned Perseids meteor shower graces our night skies. The Perseids, one of the year's most luminous and enduring meteor showers, is the result of Earth traversing the remnants left by Comet 109P/Swift Tuttle. As we journey through this cosmic debris, minuscule meteoroids collide with our atmosphere at a staggering 36 miles per second. This causes them to incinerate and streak across the sky as shooting stars, visible from our vantage point here on Earth. The shower is predicted to reach its peak between August 11-13, and if you're keen to secure a front-row seat to this awe-inspiring spectacle, it's crucial to find a location with minimal light pollution. The glow from urban areas can significantly hinder your view of the meteoroids, so a dark, rural setting is ideal. According to Planet Cruise, the prime spot to witness the Perseids is Snowdonia in Wales. At an altitude of 3,560 feet and with exceptionally low light pollution, it affords stunning views of the Milky Way, constellations, and meteor showers. The expansive national park offers numerous viewing spots, promising a stargazing experience that's truly out of this world, reports the Express. Coming in at a close second is another UK gem - Wasdale, home to England's tallest peak, Scafell Pike. With zero light pollution and an elevation of 978 metres, it provides immaculate night skies perfect for observing astronomical marvels. Whether from the valleys or the peaks, Wasdale presents unrivalled opportunities for stargazing enthusiasts. For stargazing beyond the UK, Interlaken in Switzerland is a top choice due to its high altitude. With an elevation of 568 metres and minimal light pollution, the Milky Way is often visible from this location. If you're planning to watch the Perseid meteor shower this week, it's important to take steps for the best viewing experience. Avoid bright lights to allow your eyes to adapt to the darkness. It can take up to 30 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the night sky. Ensure that your chosen spot for watching the meteors offers a clear view of the sky. Above all, sit back and savour the moment. Allow the tranquillity of nature to soothe and ground you as you marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of the meteor shower.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Science
- Wales Online
Best place to see the magnificent Perseid meteor shower in Wales
Best place to see the magnificent Perseid meteor shower in Wales The Perseids is one of the longest and brightest meteor showers of the year, and the best place to see it is somewhere in Wales. The meteor will be visible from the UK (Image: Maya Karkalicheva via Getty Images) UK stargazers are in for a celestial spectacle this month as the renowned Perseids meteor shower illuminates the night sky. The Perseids, one of the year's most brilliant and famous meteor showers, is caused by Earth traversing the debris trail left by Comet 109P/Swift Tuttle. As Earth moves through this trail, minuscule meteoroids collide with our atmosphere at a speed of 36 miles per second. This results in them igniting and streaking across the sky as shooting stars, visible to observers on the ground. The shower is expected to reach its peak between August 11-13, and for those seeking the best view of this extraordinary display, dark skies are crucial. City and town lights can hinder visibility of the meteoroids, so a location without light pollution is essential. Planet Cruise says that the best spot to witness the Perseids is Snowdonia in Wales with an elevation of 3,560 feet and minimal light pollution, it offers awe-inspiring views of the Milky Way, constellations, and meteor showers. The expansive national park boasts numerous viewing spots, promising a memorable stargazing experience, reports the Express. Snowdonia is the best place to see the meteors (Image: Michael Roberts via Getty Images) Coming in second is another UK locale - Wasdale, home to England's tallest peak, Scafell Pike. With no light pollution and an elevation of 978 metres, it offers pristine night skies ideal for observing astronomical marvels. Whether from the valleys or the peaks, Wasdale provides unmatched opportunities for stargazing enthusiasts. For stargazing beyond the UK, Interlaken in Switzerland is a top pick due to its high altitude. With an elevation of 568 metres and minimal light pollution, the Milky Way is often visible from Interlaken. If you're planning to catch the Perseid meteor shower this week, it's important to take some steps for maximum visibility. The stars will be visible from the UK (Image: bjdlzx via Getty Images) Steer clear of bright lights to allow your eyes to adapt to the darkness. It can take up to 30 minutes for your eyes to fully acclimatise to the night sky. Article continues below And ensure that your chosen spot for watching the meteors offers a clear view of the sky. Above all, sit back and savour the spectacle. Allow the tranquillity of nature to soothe and ground you as you marvel at the breathtaking display of the meteor shower.
