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Perseids: Meteor shower set to dazzle UK skies | Perseids: Meteor shower set to dazzle UK skies |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Stargazers are hoping for a dazzling display as the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak overnight. | |
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 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. |
Astronomers say 100 meteors an hour could be visible during the night, but cloud cover may spoil visibility. | |
Northern England, the Midlands, and areas of Scotland and Wales should enjoy the best viewing conditions. | |
Comet Swift-Tuttle | 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 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. | 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. |
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". | 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. | "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. | 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. |
UK weather forecasters say Wednesday night's clearest skies will be in southern Scotland, northern England and north Wales. | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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: |