Skygazers in the UK could spot up to 100 shooting stars every hour TONIGHT (2024)

Skygazers in the UK could spot up to 100 shooting stars every hour TONIGHT (1)

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Science

STAR TREK

See the best pictures from last night

Allan Glen, Live blogger

Updated: 15:59, 14 Aug 2024

STARGAZERS across the UK were in awe at stunning displays of the Northern Lights last night as the Perseid meteor shower reached its peak, with hundreds of shooting stars darting overhead.

The Perseid meteor shower peaked between Monday and Wednesday, but will remain visible in some areas until August 24.

The shower takes place when the Earth ploughs through debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle Comet during its trips through the inner solar system.

Tim Peake, the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station, said the shower shows "how the night sky still inspires us".

Follow our live blog below for the latest updates ...

14th Aug 2024, 15:59
Magical purple glow enchants Lviv
A final image now capturing a purple glow on the horizon in Ukraine's Lviv region, casting a magical effect over the city.
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14th Aug 2024, 15:43
What creates the colours of the northern lights?
The colours we see in the aurora are a result of different gases emitting distinct hues when heated.
Green is produced by oxygen molecules located about 60 miles above the Earth's surface. While, purple, blue, and pink shades are caused by nitrogen molecules.
These colours blend together to create the stunning effect that is often visible in the northern and southern polar regions.
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14th Aug 2024, 15:31
An aqueduct glows
The Perseid meteor shower is seen against the backdrop of the Uctepeler ancient aqueduct in Kocaeli, Turkey. This historic structure was built by Nicomedia Governor Pliny during the reign of Roman Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century AD.
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14th Aug 2024, 15:15By Callum Simpson
Magnificent vistas
Here are more breath-taking images of the northern lights captured in Lithuania and Poland.
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14th Aug 2024, 15:00By Callum Simpson
Celestial wonders in Slovakia
The night sky above the Astronomical Observatory in Poloniny National Park, Slovakia.
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14th Aug 2024, 14:43By Callum Simpson
Can I still see the Perseid meteor shower?
The Perseid meteor shower runs from July 7 to August 24, with its peak occurring between August 11 and 12.
See Also
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The best opportunity to view the shower was earlier this week, from Monday to Wednesday, especially in southern locations with clear skies.
However, there might still be a chance to catch some of the spectacular meteor activity a few days after the peak.
The Perseid meteor shower is an annual event, so there will be plenty more opportunities to enjoy this celestial display in the future.
Before the meteors disappear for another year, a full moon will shine brighter and larger in the sky on August 19 . This is due to the Earth's natural satellite approaching the closest point in its orbit.
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14th Aug 2024, 14:33By Callum Simpson
How fast are the meteors?
A Perseid meteor travels at an average speed of 36 miles per second, compressing and heating the air in front of it to thousands of degrees Celsius. Smaller meteors vaporise, leaving behind a bright streak of light, while larger ones can explode into spectacular fireballs.
Speeds range from 7 – 45 miles per second.
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14th Aug 2024, 14:20By Callum Simpson
Stunning spectacle
Northern lights shimmer above a magic tree on the outskirts of Dartmoor, near Dunsford, Devon.
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14th Aug 2024, 14:05By Callum Simpson
Views from New Jersey
In Hackettstown, New Jersey, the Aurora Borealis cast a vibrant green glow above the tree line during the annual Perseid meteor shower.
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14th Aug 2024, 13:49By Callum Simpson
Iranian sky illuminates red
A vibrant red landscape seen at the Rabbit Castle in Iran.
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14th Aug 2024, 13:30By Callum Simpson
Celestial spectacle
The UNESCO World Heritage site of the Acropolis of Bergama in Izmir, Turkey, was witness to this amazing meteor backdrop.
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14th Aug 2024, 13:15By Callum Simpson
Northern lights beauty
In Eastern Germany the skies were bathed in pink and yellow hues.
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14th Aug 2024, 13:01By Callum Simpson
Milky way appears in Colorado
The Milky Way stretches across the night sky above Woodland Park and Pike National Forest in Colorado.
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14th Aug 2024, 12:37By Callum Simpson
Incredible picture of Corfe Castle
Satellites, planes, and comets traverse the night sky, while stars seemingly swirl above Corfe Castle.
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14th Aug 2024, 12:20By Callum Simpson
Saskatchewan stars
The Perseid meteor shower illuminates the sky above the 27th annual Saskatchewan Summer Star Party.
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14th Aug 2024, 12:05By Callum Simpson
Perseid perfectly paints the night sky
A Perseid meteor dazzles the night sky, casting a brilliant glow over the historic Corfe Castle.
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14th Aug 2024, 11:55By Callum Simpson
The Northern lights hit Northumberland
A meteor streaks across the sky above The Bathing House in Howick, Northumberland, on Monday night.
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14th Aug 2024, 11:11
Magical scenes
A flock of sheep silhouetted beneath the night sky in Germany as the northern lights shimmer behind them.
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14th Aug 2024, 11:03
The "best annual meteor shower"
Bill Cooke, who leads NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office, described the event as the "best annual meteor shower for the casual stargazer.”
“Not only is the shower rich in bright meteors and fireballs – No. 1 in fact – it also peaks in mid-August when the weather is still warm and comfortable," he said.
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14th Aug 2024, 10:54
Where was best to see the meteor shower?
The best viewing conditions for the meteor shower were clear skies with minimal light disturbance.
This is beautifully illustrated by this incredible shot taken at an abandoned military airbase in Georgia.
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14th Aug 2024, 10:44
Where do meteors come from?
Meteors originate from leftover particles of comets and fragments from shattered asteroids. As comets orbit the Sun, they leave behind trails of dust and debris.
Each year, the Earth passes through these trails, causing the particles to enter our atmosphere and disintegrate, creating fiery and colourful streaks across the sky.
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14th Aug 2024, 10:33
Stunning pictures
The Perseid meteor shower produced incredible photos around the world, including Iran and China as seen below.
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14th Aug 2024, 10:25
The role of the comet Swift-Tuttle
The Perseid meteor shower originates from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which takes 133 years to complete one orbit around the Sun.
In 1865, Giovanni Schiaparelli identified this comet as the source of the Perseids.
Comet Swift-Tuttle last passed through the inner solar system in 1992.
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14th Aug 2024, 10:11
Amazing imagery
A stunning long exposure shot captures the Perseid meteor shower over Lake Hazar and Mount Hazarbaba in Turkey.
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14th Aug 2024, 10:00By Callum Simpson
Why are we seeing the Northern Lights in the UK?
The lights we see in the night sky are actually caused by activity on the Sun's surface.
Solar storms release massive clouds of electrically charged particles that travel millions of miles and can eventually collide with Earth.
Most of these particles are deflected away, but some are captured by Earth's magnetic field and are directed towards the poles, creating aurora activity.
The colours we see in the aurora are due to different gases emitting distinct hues when heated: green is a characteristic of oxygen, while purple, blue, and pink can be caused by nitrogen.
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NEW STORIES ON THE SUN

FAQs

Skygazers in the UK could spot up to 100 shooting stars every hour TONIGHT? ›

Stargazers across the UK are in for a stellar treat as the "best meteor shower of the year" is set to peak tonight. The spectacular Perseid shower may offer up to 100 meteors, also known as shooting stars, every hour as it peaks on the night going into 13 August.

See Details ›

How rare is it to see a shooting star UK? ›

How common is it to see a shooting star? Shooting stars are very common. Rock from space regularly enters the Earth's atmosphere, with around one million shooting stars occurring every day around the world. To try to see a shooting star, the sky should ideally be clear.

Learn More ›

Where can you see shooting stars in the UK? ›

While the meteors will emanate from the constellation of Perseus in the north-east, they will spread across the sky. "To maximise your chances of seeing shooting stars, get away from bright city lights and fill your view with as much of the sky as possible by leaning back on a deckchair or laying down on a blanket."

How many shooting stars are in the sky every night? ›

The number of shooting stars that can be seen per day varies greatly depending on factors such as location, weather, and time of year. However, on any given night, you might see a few to several dozen shooting stars per hour under ideal conditions.

See Details ›

What time is the meteor shower in the UK? ›

The shower is best seen when the sky is at its darkest, between midnight and 5.30am. To optimise the chance of catching a glimpse of the celestial show, stargazers are advised to head out at night into a dark area, turn away from streetlights and avoid glancing at phones to adjust their eyesight.

Is it rare to see two shooting stars in one night? ›

With that much daily meteoric activity, you may be able to see several shooting stars on any given night — barring light pollution [source: NASA]. Your chances of seeing stars falling will increase dramatically during a meteor shower.

Learn More Now ›

Is it lucky to see a shooting star? ›

Good Luck: Beyond green shooting stars, any shooting star is considered a symbol of good luck and positive change. A Sign of Love: Seeing a shooting star can represent the love and connection between two people. Encouragement: It can serve as encouragement to take risks or make important life decisions.

View Details ›

Are there millions of stars in the night sky? ›

Stars are not scattered randomly through space, they are gathered together into vast groups known as galaxies. The Sun belongs to a galaxy called the Milky Way. Astronomers estimate there are about 100 thousand million stars in the Milky Way alone. Outside that, there are millions upon millions of other galaxies also!

Read On ›

How much is a meteorite worth? ›

Meteorite values can range from a few dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Are meteorites are attracted to magnets? Nearly all meteorites contain a significant amount of extraterrestrial iron, even those that look similar to terrestrial rocks (stony meteorites).

Read On ›

Where can you see the northern lights in the UK? ›

He said: "I arrived at 8pm left at midnight. My intention was hopefully a sunset and meteor shower but I got the bonus of the Aurora." According to the Met Office, the Northern Lights are usually best witnessed in Scotland, northern England, North Wales and Northern Ireland.

Show Me More ›

How long does a meteor shower take? ›

The duration of peak activity can vary widely between showers. Some meteor showers (such as the Quadrantids) have very sharp maximums, displaying their best rates for only a few hours each year. Other major showers (such as the Taurids) have a broader maximum, which can span across a few nights.

How rare is it to see a fallen star? ›

How Likely Is It to See a Shooting Star? Seeing a shooting star may feel special, but they aren't actually a rare occurrence. According to NASA, approximately 48.5 tons of “meteoric material” enter Earth's atmosphere every day, with most of that space debris getting burned up in the atmosphere as shooting stars.

Read On ›

How hard is it to see a shooting star? ›

Shooting stars can be difficult to spot, and you may need to wait for a while before you see one. Be patient and keep looking up at the sky, and you may eventually see a shooting star.

See Details ›

Can you see just one shooting star? ›

On any given night, depending on our luck, we can spot between one and two shooting stars per hour; but on certain dates they occur much more frequently and many more can be seen: when this happens we call it a meteor shower.

Skygazers in the UK could spot up to 100 shooting stars every hour TONIGHT (2024)

Magical purple glow enchants Lviv

What creates the colours of the northern lights?

An aqueduct glows

Magnificent vistas

Celestial wonders in Slovakia

Can I still see the Perseid meteor shower?

How fast are the meteors?

Stunning spectacle

Views from New Jersey

Iranian sky illuminates red

Celestial spectacle

Northern lights beauty

Milky way appears in Colorado

Incredible picture of Corfe Castle

Saskatchewan stars

Perseid perfectly paints the night sky

The Northern lights hit Northumberland

Magical scenes

The "best annual meteor shower"

Where was best to see the meteor shower?

Where do meteors come from?

Stunning pictures

The role of the comet Swift-Tuttle

Amazing imagery

Why are we seeing the Northern Lights in the UK?

FAQs

Skygazers in the UK could spot up to 100 shooting stars every hour TONIGHT? ›

Is it rare to see two shooting stars in one night? ›