by Stargazers in the UK are in for an extraordinary experience as the “most beautiful meteor shower of the year” reaches its peak this evening.
The spectacular Perseid shower can produce up to 100 meteors, also known as shooting stars, per hour and reaches its peak on the night of August 13th.
The Perseids have been occurring repeatedly for centuries because they are caused by the Earth’s passage through a cloud of dust left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle.
When these debris hit the atmosphere, they burn up and leave bright trails in the sky.
The Perseids – named after Perseus, the constellation from which the meteors are believed to originate – are also known for their fireballs, with larger explosions of light and color that can last longer than the average meteor shower.
NASA has called the Perseids the “best meteor shower of the year.”
How to see Perseid
To best enjoy the magnificent spectacle, experts say observers should avoid well-lit and built-up areas and try to find an unobstructed view.
Daniel Brown, associate professor of astronomy at Nottingham Trent University, said that anyone who wanted to see the shooting stars as clearly as possible should “find a dark place”.
He said it would take viewers up to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
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Prof Brown said: “Be patient. It is best to observe a large area of the sky as meteors are visible everywhere.”
For the best views, NASA recommends observing during the “dark hours” of the day, which in the UK is from about midnight to 2 a.m.
When you can watch the shower
The meteor shower will reach its peak on the night of August 13th and should be visible across the UK on clear skies.
Prof Brown said: “The best time during the main peak this year is the second half of the night, so the early hours of August 13.”
