AG百家乐在线官网

Taurid meteor shower to peak across the UK - this is how and when to see it

The Taurids travel at speeds of 65,000mph - but this is relatively slow for a meteor shower and is expected to become visible to people across the UK, depending on cloud cover.

A meteor streaks across the AG百家乐在线官网 during the annual Perseid meteor shower in 2021.
Image: File pic: AP
Why you can trust Sky News

A meteor shower will reach its peak across the next two nights - giving people in the UK the chance to enjoy the spectacular event with the naked eye.

The Northern Taurids are active from October until the beginning of December - but this week they are expected to produce very bright meteors.

Experts say the astronomical event only produces around five meteors every hour, but they are worth the wait because of their intensity in the AG百家乐在线官网.

Forecasters expect the weather to be "dry and clear for most" - but there is a risk some areas will need to wait for breaks in the cloud.

Check the forecast for your area

The Southern Taurids from the same shower peaked at the start of November and have been active since September.

The northern and southern streams become visible to stargazers when Earth passes through a cloud of ice and dust left behind by Comet Encke as it passes through our solar system.

The Taurids are described as "very slow" as they pass through the AG百家乐在线官网 at 17 miles per second - or 65,000mph.

They are also spread out and this allows the shower to be visible for longer periods of time as the Earth ploughs through the comet's debris, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

The debris stream is made up of ice and rock, with the "crumbs" burning up in our atmosphere and creating the bright extravaganza.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

August: Meteor shower over Yorkshire

How to watch the Northern Taurids

The best time for stargazers to view the shower is around midnight.

People can enjoy the event with the naked eye and are advised to view from an area with little light pollution and an unobstructed horizon.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

They should allow their eyes to adapt to the darkness and then try to glance across the widest possible area of the AG百家乐在线官网.

Read more from Sky News:
Daniel Khalife pleads guilty to prison escape
Football fan appears to mock death of ex-player in 'abhorrent act'

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Sky News weather producer, Christopher England, said most areas should be able to enjoy the spectacle.

He said: "Luckily for meteor watchers, it's looking dry and clear for most tonight, although fog will be thickening up later.

"Eastern England will be cloudier at times, with the chance of a shower in the extreme South East.

"There should be some good breaks in the cloud there, however.

"Southern England and northwest Scotland will be much cloudier tomorrow night, but central parts can still expect lengthy clear spells."

SHARE WITH SKY NEWS

You can share your story, pictures or video with us using our app, private messaging or email.

:: on Sky News apps

::

:: Email

By sending us your video footage/ photographs/ audio you agree we can broadcast, publish and edit the material.