An 'insane' number of meteors were spotted in the night sky over the weekend. The UK Meteor Network said yesterday (August 7) that there have been 8,500 detections from individual cameras so far as a famed meteor shower hits the skies.
Occurring between July and August every year, the dramatic display in the skies was part of the Perseid meteor shower. It is caused by the Earth hitting the debris of comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle and its name derives from the constellation of Perseus.
The famous meteor shower, which is a favourite amongst meteor hunters, is active between July 17 and August 24. This year's peak of the shower, before it begins to tail off, is during August 12 (Friday) before dawn on August 13.
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In 2022, the peak falls around the time of the full moon - and it's best to catch meteors when the sky is darker. So, any time between today (August 8) and August 11 will be your best bet.
The UK Meteor Network states that the Geminids usually outperform the Perseids, but more people prefer to be out observing the Perseids due to the warmer temperatures in summer. The Network describes the view of the Perseids to be 'rich in bright, persistent meteors' that are 'fast moving'.
It tweeted yesterday morning: "Insane amounts of Perseids already - 1120 confirmed matches and 8500 detections from individual cameras." Its image log pictured many meteors dated August 8, including in the West Country in locations such as Chard in Somerset and Exeter in Devon.
The best time to visually catch the meteor shower is before dawn, but they can be seen all night if you're lucky to get a clear sky. So, how can you catch this meteor shower this week?
The days leading up to the peak are the best time to spot the shower, so this week is prime time to get out and spot it. If the weather is cold or wet, it's best to wait for a better forecast before heading out - and, luckily, this week is set to be a scorcher.
It's advised to minimise the amount of light pollution in your field of vision. Whether that's finding a city spot free of many street lamps, or visiting a rural spot, meteor hunts are advised to give 15 minutes to adjust their eyesight to the darkness so you can easily catch fainter meteors in view.
You don't need to be a pro to spot this shower. Binoculars and telescopes are not necessary - just find the widest view you can get without obstruction on the horizon and be ready to catch those bright lights.
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