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Perseids: Meteor shower set to dazzle UK skies | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Stargazers across the UK are hoping for a dazzling display as the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak. | |
The display has been widely anticipated this year as the shower will coincide with a new moon for the first time since 2007, creating a darkened sky. | |
The shower will peak at 23:00 BST on Wednesday, but cloud cover may spoil visibility in some areas of the UK. | |
Northern England, the Midlands, and areas of Scotland and Wales, should enjoy the best viewing conditions. | |
Comet Swift-Tuttle | |
The Perseids - which are pieces of Comet Swift-Tuttle - are active each year from around 17 July to 24 August, although for most of that period only a few meteors an hour are visible. | |
The peak of the display occurs when the shower's "radiant" - the point from which the meteors appear to originate - is highest in the sky. | |
Astronomers say 100 meteors an hour could be visible at peak times. | |
The International Space Station (ISS) - which orbits earth every 90 minutes - is likely to also be visible for four minutes from 10:28 BST. | |
Prof Mark Bailey, the director of Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland, said the Perseids were "one of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year". | Prof Mark Bailey, the director of Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland, said the Perseids were "one of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year". |
Alan MacRobert, senior editor at Sky & Telescope magazine, added: "The nearly moonless sky this year means the viewing will be excellent." | Alan MacRobert, senior editor at Sky & Telescope magazine, added: "The nearly moonless sky this year means the viewing will be excellent." |
Marek Kakula, public astronomer at the Royal Observatory said the comet dust would be "travelling faster than the speed of a bullet". | |
"When when they hit the atmosphere, they burn up in a little streak of light that lasts for just a few seconds. But because there's lots of them, we might get quite a good display," he added. | |
For most people, meteor showers are best viewed with the naked eye. Experts advise finding a dark location, away from artificial light, and an unobstructed view of the sky. | |
Reclining chairs or blankets are best for looking up at the sky in comfort. | Reclining chairs or blankets are best for looking up at the sky in comfort. |
UK weather forecasters say Wednesday night's clearest skies will be in southern Scotland, northern England and north Wales. | |
Although other parts of the UK are expected to be overcast, meteorologists say there could be breaks in the cloud cover. | |
Some skywatchers have already glimpsed Perseid meteors this week. | |
Chris Boundey spent Monday night at Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumberland, saying the meteors "seemed to be coming thick and fast overhead". | |
Will you be watching the sky for this year's Perseid meteor light show? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories and pictures. | Will you be watching the sky for this year's Perseid meteor light show? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories and pictures. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |