🌠 Grab Your ‘Keen Eyes’ – The Perseid Meteor Shower is Lighting Up Our Skies! 🌌
Are you ready for a celestial extravaganza? Every summer, Earth collides with a trail of debris from the swift-tuttle comet, giving us a mesmerising show of shooting stars – the Perseid meteor shower! If you’re in the UK, make sure to look up, because you’re in for a treat as around 150 meteors are predicted to dazzle us per hour.
👀 The Best Viewing Tips:
Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Dr Ed Bloomer shares his expert tips:
– Head to a flat, dark location away from city lights for the best views.
– Let your eyes adjust to the dark; about half an hour should do the trick.
– Forget your phone and switch off bright lights, even at home.
– Look out in your peripheral vision, it’s surprisingly better for low-light conditions!
Even if you’re a beginner, you’ll find this one of the most rewarding meteor showers. It’s fairly active and long-lasting. Clear skies? Check. Now, settle in with a camping chair, relax, and just wait for the magic.
🌦️ Weather Watch:
Bear in mind, there’s an increased risk of thunderstorms in parts of England. But don’t worry, clearer skies are expected later in the week, especially in the south.
🌙 Catch It Before It’s Gone:
This celestial show will grace our skies until around August 24th. Look towards the north-east at dusk for the highest chance of spotting these stunning shooting stars. Remember, despite its beauty up north, the key is a dark location wherever you are!
✨ Fun Fact:
If you’re lucky, you might spot a fireball – that’s a rarer, larger meteor that lasts up to 10 seconds, lighting up the night sky much longer than its fleeting counterparts.
So, find a cosy spot, keep your eyes peeled, and enjoy the cosmic dance! 🌌💫