How to see rare meteor shower as hundreds of fireballs are set to light up the sky this week
There is a way to view a super rare meteor shower as hundreds of fireballs are set to light up the sky this week.
The annual Perseids meteor shower takes place every August and it is expected to peak tonight (August 12).
This is when 60 to 100 meteors will appear every hour, with the highest amount being most visible at 3am (BST) on Wednesday morning.
This is when meteors are expected to put on a bright display, with the event continuing until August 24.
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The meteors will display long tails, burning up in the atmosphere with whopping speeds of around 37 miles a second.
And while a full moon could impact the visibility of some of the smaller meteors heading for Earth, the larger ones will be on full display.
What are the Perseids?
The Perseids are a meteor shower that is associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle, and is usually visible from Earth from mid July to late August each year.
The shower is known as the Perseids because they tend to appear from the direction of the constellation Perseus.
How can you view the Perseids meteor shower?
The best way to make sure you are able to catch a glimpse of the meteors as they become visible is by using an astronomy app.
On the Royal Museums Greenwich website, it includes advice on how best to see them, stating: “You can look out for the Perseids wherever you are, but there are certain kinds of places that will increase your chances of spotting meteors.
“Plan ahead and check the weather forecast. If it is likely to be inclement, find a different location or go out on a different day. The days leading up to the peak are usually better than the days after.
“Reduce the amount of light pollution in your field of view. This could mean heading out to the countryside, a nearby park or even turning your back to street lamps if you're not able to go anywhere.
“Give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the dark so that you can catch more of the fainter meteors – this does mean that you should avoid looking at your phone!
Meteors can appear in any part of the sky so the more of the sky you can see, the better. Find an area with a clear view of the horizon away from trees and buildings. Binoculars and telescopes are not necessary as they will restrict the size of the sky that will be visible to you.