When is the next meteor shower in the UK?
METEOR showers are celestial events, ideal for avid stargazers – and they're easy enough to see.
Here we explain when the next meteor shower will be in the UK, so you can turn your eyes to the sky at night, get cosy and enjoy the spectacular event.
When are the next meteor showers coming to the UK?
Currently underway is the Eta Aquariid meteor shower which is expected to peak on May 5 and 6.
The shower though is usually active from around April 19 to May 28 each year.
The Eta Aquarids is actually one of two meteor showers created by debris from Comet Halley.
Here are the upcoming meteor shower dates:
- Delta Aquariids{ July 13 – August 24
- Alpha Capricornids: July 2 – August 14
- Perseids: July 16 – August 23
- Draconids: October 7-11
- Orionids: October 1-6
- Taurids: October 20 – December 10
- Leonids: November 5-29
- Geminids: December 3-16
- Ursids: December 17-26
- Quadrantids: December 28 to January 12
- Lyrids: April 13-29
What's the best way to watch the meteors?
While the meteors can usually be seen any time after 10pm, the best time is in the early hours before dawn.
Don't give up too soon, it can take up to 45 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark.
The best way to view the shower is by sitting in a deck chair or lying on your back and looking straight up.
It's best to get as far away as possible from artificial light; the city lights can make the shower seem faint.
more space and astronomy
What is a meteor shower?
Meteor showers take place when space rocks, also known as meteoroids, enter the earth’s atmosphere.
As it falls towards earth, the resistance of the air on the rock makes it hot and air around it glows – which has led to them being known as shooting stars.
When there are numerous rocks at the same time, this is known as a meteor shower.
Meteoroids are often so small they burn up in the earth’s atmosphere, so there is little chance of a collision.
Meteor showers are named after the constellation where the rocks appear to be coming from.