Meteor shower to light up skies tonight - here's the best way to catch a glimpse
Share:
More than 50 "shooting stars" an hour could be visible in the UK this evening as one of "Earth's most spectacular" meteor showers lights up the skies. People will be able to see the Quadrantid meteor shower until 12 January, the Royal Astronomical Society says, but the peak time started this afternoon and continues overnight.
Dr Robert Massey, the society's deputy director, said anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the celestial fireworks should get "as far away from light pollution as possible". In a video explaining the Quadrantids and how best to see them, he said the showers "have a pretty strong intensity if you happen to be in the right place at the right time".
While this shower will not have "the brightest meteors on the whole", it should include "a fair number of fireballs", he added. "A fireball is a dramatic sounding thing but what it really means is a really bright meteor. The Quadrantids is a meteor shower which produces that kind of event.
"So for that reason alone, if you have the time to look out and the weather is good, then do take a look because it's a perfect New Year treat.". Unlike many astronomical events, meteor showers are easy to watch and no special equipment is needed, the Royal Astronomical Society says.
They are best observed with the naked eye - but make sure you have a comfy chair, preferably reclining, and wrap up warm. One mistake people might make is to try using binoculars or a telescope. Don't do this, the experts say. This equipment will actually make it harder as you will only see a tiny part of the sky.
