When is the next meteor shower in the UK?

ANOTHER spectacular event in the sky is underway, and it’s sure to delight avid stargazers.

So grab a blanket, turn your eyes to the sky at night and get cosy, as we guide you through the space rock calendar for 2019.

2

When are the next meteor showers coming to the UK?

Currently underway is the Ursid Meteor Shower which is expected to peak on December 21.

The shower though started on December 17 and will continue until 25.

At its height there are expected to be up to 5 meteors an hour.

The pieces of space debris that interact with the Earth’s atmosphere known as the Ursids originated from the comet 8P/Tuttle.

Here are the upcoming meteor shower dates:

• Ursids – December 21-22
• Quardrantids – January 3-4, 2020
• Lyrids – April 21-22, 2020
• Eta Aquariids – May 5-6, 2020
• Delta Aquariids – July 29-30, 2020
• Alpha Capriconids – July 30, 2020
• Perseids – August 12-13, 2020
• Draconids – October 8-9, 2020
• Orionids – October 21-22, 2020
• Taurids, October 9-10, 2020
• Leonids – November 17-18, 2020
• Geminids – December 13-14, 2020
• Ursids – December 21-22, 2020

Here are the meteor showers that have already happened this year:

• Eta Aquarids – April 21 – May 20
• Perseids – active between July 17 and August 24
• Draconids – October 8-9
• Orionids – October 21 – 22
• Taurids – October 10-11
• Leonids – November 17-18
• Germinids – December 14-15

2

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.

Power shower

What does May’s Eta Aquarids meteor shower mean for YOUR sign?

CRASH COURSE

21-ton Chinese space rocket tumbles out of control and could hit NY or Madrid

WATCH OUT

How to see Mercury in the night sky – tiny planet will be visible after sunset

NIGHT LIGHTS

Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower – how to watch fireballs soar across sky THIS week

UP AND DOWN

SpaceX rocket launches – from million dollar explosions to putting men in space

RED AHEAD

Nasa helicopter snaps stunning photo of Mars surface – can you spot the rover?

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.

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk