Britain is set to be hit by a mesmerizing meteor shower over the next two nights that will be visible to 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.
The Taurid meteor shower is caused by the debris – ice and dust – from Comet Encke as it passes through our solar system.
Each time the comet passes, it leaves in its wake a vast debris stream of ice and rock.
When Earth passes through this debris, the “comet crumbs” heat up as they enter our atmosphere and burn up in bright bursts of light.
Experts say that the astronomical event only produces five meteors per hour but that the intensity of the sky makes them worth the wait.
The Northern Taurids, along with the Southern Taurids which peaked in September, are described as being “very slow” travelling at just 17 miles per second, or 65,000 miles per hour.
The best time to watch the shower will be at around midnight as a clear sky and dry night combine to create the optimal conditions to catch the event.
People can enjoy the event with the naked eye, with no need for the use of binoculars or telescopes.
Reducing the amount of surrounding light pollution enhances the chances of observing the meteors as they streak through the sky.
Royal Greenwich Museums advises: “Hunting for meteors, like the rest of astronomy, is a waiting game, so it’s best to bring a comfy chair to sit on and to wrap up warm as you could be outside for a while.
“They can be seen with the naked eye so there’s no need for binoculars or a telescope, though you will need to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark.”
