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Perseids: Meteor shower captured across UK skies Perseids: Meteor shower captured across UK skies
(about 3 hours later)
Stargazers captured the dazzling display of the annual Perseid meteor shower as it reached its peak on Wednesday night.Stargazers captured the dazzling display of the annual Perseid meteor shower as it reached its peak on Wednesday night.
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 was widely anticipated this year as the shower coincided with a new moon for the first time since 2007, creating a darkened sky.
Cloud cover spoilt visibility for some parts of the country. People in the Midlands and the north of England had the best view of the meteor shower.
But northern England, the Midlands, Scotland and Wales enjoyed clear viewing conditions. Cloud cover spoilt visibility for some parts of southern England and Scotland.
Comet Swift-TuttleComet 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 came overnight on Wednesday, with more than 100 meteors an hour produced.
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, 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." Robin Scagell, vice president of the Society for Popular Astronomy, said: "The thing about shooting stars is they're a wonderful free spectacle we can all enjoy, assuming clear skies.
Marek Kakula, public astronomer at the Royal Observatory said the comet dust would be "travelling faster than the speed of a bullet". "The Perseids are usually fairly bright. Also, they tend to leave a trail, or train, behind them. You can see the train hanging there glowing in the sky for a few seconds - sometimes for several minutes - after the meteor has gone."
"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. Marek Kakula, public astronomer at the Royal Observatory described the comet dust as "travelling faster than the speed of a bullet".
"When they hit the atmosphere, they burn up in a little streak of light that lasts for just a few seconds," 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. Have you been watching the sky for this year's Perseid meteor light show? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories and pictures.
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.
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