Stargazers will be given another chance to see the Perseid meteor shower on Tuesday night, after a dazzling display lit by the northern lights.
Shooting stars streaked through skies over the UK last weekend as the meteor shower peaked on Monday evening.
In areas further north, such as Northumbria, North Yorkshire and parts of Scotlandsome saw a double display of the Perseids and the northern lights.
Although the geomagnetic storm that caused the colorful aurora has subsided, the meteor show will be active until August 24.
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 by comet Swift-Tuttle, which occurs every 20 to 200 years. The average speed for a Perseid meteor is about 36 miles per 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 to look at the night sky and the Perseid meteor shower added a touch of magic – perfect to to make a few wishes.”
The shower is best seen when the sky is at its darkest, between midnight and 5:30am. To optimize the chance of catching a glimpse of the celestial display, stargazers are advised to go to a dark area at night, turn away from street lights and avoid looking at phones to adjust their vision.
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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 places to see the Perseids unobstructed. Elevated city center 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 that while the display was often fun to watch with others, the fleeting appearance of the Perseids made it a personal experience.
