Delta Aquariid meteor shower 2019: where to watch tonight's meteor shower
Stargazers are in for a summer spectacular with the Delta
Aquariid meteor shower set to light up UK skies this evening.
Shooting stars will light up the night sky as the month-long shower reaches its end-of-July peak over the course of two days.
The Delta Aquariids are visible from mid-July to mid-August every year, with the shower reaching its peak towards the end of July.
Here's everything you need to know about the Delta Aquariid meteorshower.
What is the Delta Aquariid meteor shower?
The Delta Aquariid meteor shower is thought to formed from the dust and rocks that fall from a comet called 96P/Machholz, which orbits the sun every five years.
Every year 96P/Machholz, which is around four miles across, crosses the Earth's path as they both orbit the sun.
And as the pieces of comet fall down through the Earth's atmosphere they disintegrate, causing the colourful streaks we know as meteor showers.
The Delta Aquariid meteor shower takes place from around July 12 to August 23 every year.
Usually, it peaks around July 28 and 29 but views of the shower are good for a few days either side.
When is the best time to see the meteor shower?
The shower will last all night from midnight to dawn, but the best time to see it is usually between the early hours and dawn.
Time recommends staying up until the pre-dawn hour for the best views. In the UK, dawn will be at 4.39am on Tuesday morning.
Where is the best place to watch the shower?
While the shower can be seen from anywhere in the world, there are a few optimal places to view it from.
According to Greenwich Observatory, the best places to watch the display are open areas, away from the street lights.
So Londoners' best chance of seeing the shower will be from one of the capital's large open spaces such as Richmond Park and Hampstead Heath.
While the meteor shower is best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere, Londoners will still be able to catch a glimpse if the sky is clear and the moon not too bright.
And because we have a new moon on August 1, the skies will be dark enough to see the display.
Stargazing is a waiting game so astronomers suggest finding your meteor spotting place at least an hour before midnight.
Once you're there, all you need to do is lie back and look up at the sky. You could be waiting there for a while, so bring something to keep you warm.
And remember - don't look at your phone as the white light could interrupt your night vision.
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