Stargazers will be granted another opportunity to see the Perseid meteor shower on Tuesday night, after a dazzling display illuminated by the northern lights.
Shooting stars darted through skies across the UK last weekend as the meteor shower reached its peak on Monday night.
In areas farther north, such as Northumbria, North Yorkshire and parts of Scotland, some spotted a double display of the Perseids and the northern lights.
Though the geomagnetic storm causing the colourful aurora has subsided, the meteor display will be active until 24 August.
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, describes the shower as “one of the most dramatic things to see in the night sky between July and August”.
The annual meteor shower consists of the debris left behind Comet Swift-Tuttle, which comes around every 20 to 200 years. The average speed for a Perseid meteor is about 36 miles a second, leaving behind bright meteor trains.
Marina Muttik, 29, who saw the northern lights and Perseid meteor shower from Chesham, Buckinghamshire, said: “It’s always humbling watching the night sky, and the Perseid meteor shower added a touch of magic – perfect for making a few wishes.”
The shower is best seen when the sky is at its darkest, between midnight and 5.30am. To optimise the chance of catching a glimpse of the celestial show, stargazers are advised to head out at night into a dark area, turn away from streetlights and avoid glancing at phones to adjust their eyesight.
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It is also recommended to look at the Perseids out of the corner of the eye, as peripheral vision is more sensitive under low-light conditions than central vision.
National parks such as the Lake District, Exmoor and Snowdonia are ideal sites to spot the Perseids unobstructed. Elevated inner-city venues such as Hampstead Heath and the Royal Observatory in London also offer clear visibility.
Dr Ed Bloomer, a senior astronomer at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, said although the display was often fun to watch with others, the fleeting appearance of the Perseids made for a personal experience.
