The first meteor shower of 2023 is expected to light up the skies tonight.
Up to 110 meteors an hour could be seen in the sky over the UK as the Quadrantid meteor shower makes an appearance on January 3. It is among the strongest and most consistent meteor showers.
Quadrantids are blue meteors with fine trains that appear to come from the constellation Bootes, near the Big Dipper. Meteors are pieces of debris which enter Earth's atmosphere at speeds of up to 43 miles per second, vapourising and causing the streaks of light we call meteors.
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Here is everything that you need to know about seeing the sky's show this evening.
When is the best time to see the meteor shower in the UK?
The Quadrantid meteor shower occurs from December 28, 2022 to January 12, 2023 - but will reach its high point on January 3-4. The official peak is at 3am on January 4. With clear skies it will be visible until the early morning.
Where is the best place to watch the meteor shower?
Greenwich Royal Observatory advised people to head to a wide open space where you can scan the heavens, as meteors can be seen in all parts of the sky.
The Royal Observatory suggested: "For the best conditions, you want to find a safe location away from street lights and other sources of light pollution. The meteors can be seen in all parts of the sky, so it’s good to be in a wide open space where you can scan the night sky with your eyes."
You'll need to allow 30 minutes or so for your eyes to adjust to the dark. You should also be prepared to be outside for a while, so wrap up warm. The Quadrantids can be seen with the naked eye so there's no need for binoculars or a telescope.
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