Meteor shower to light up UK skies

Stargazers are in for a treat for the next week, as the Geminid meteor shower returns to the UK’s skies.

The Earth will pass through the debris cloud from Apollo asteroid 3200 Phaethon from the 8 December to 17 December, with the thickest concentrations of dust expected on Monday 14, when around 100 meteors per hour can be expected. Although the peak concentration will be at 1pm GMT on Monday, meteor rates should still be very high on the nights of Sunday 13 and Monday 14.

The timing couldn’t be better for stargazers - with a new moon in the sky there should be little light pollution from our nearest neighbour washing out the spectacular light show, although for optimum viewing, a spot away from the glare of streetlights is recommended.