Look up to the skies! Meteor shower flies across Jersey

Saturday 12 August 2017

Blink and you'll miss it! Hundreds of meteors will be flying across the skies in the next few days. To catch one of them, you will have to pick a dark spot and wait until 23:30.

The phenomenon occurs every year from mid-July but is more visible between 9 and 14 August, during its peak activity there can be up to 60 meteors an hour.

The meteor shower that will be visible from Jersey - provided the skies are clear - is named the Perseids and associated with the comet Swift-Tutle. Tony Bellows, chairman of Jersey Astronomy Club, explained that most showers are seen where a comet has been. He said: "Every year, the earth goes through these debris fields left in the wake of a comet. When the debris hits the atmosphere, they burn up creating what we call shooting stars. Those particles travel at 60km per second and can heat up to 1650 degree celsius."

Mr Bellows added that the Perseids are named because they appear to come from the constellation of Perseus. There is, however, no need to look in any particular direction to see one of the meteors, as they will be shooting right across the sky. Mr Bellows said: "As long as you are looking upwards, you should see them. The best place to be is somewhere dark where there is not too much light pollution. Places like the headlands, Gronez or the east of the island where there is not too much street lighting are quite good because you see the meteors better in a black night sky." 

As for the best time to look at the skies and wish upon a star, the Astronomy Club Chairman recommends staying up a little later, as the chances of seeing a meteor increase after 23:00. This is due to how the Earth moves in the field of debris. 

If you have been wandering at night in the past few days, you might have already observed the phenomenon. Tonight will be something special, though - some astronomers say it will be the brightest shower in human history. Mr Bellows explained: "Between the 9 and 14 August, the earth is going through a thicker trail of debris so there will be a good amount of meteors going through the atmosphere. There could up to 60 an hour!"

For those wanting to make a night out of it, the Lido is holding the 'Greatest Meteor Party in Our Lifetime' complete with live music, dancing and green beer for the aliens. Organisers are strongly encouraging 'out of space' costumes to go along with a giant screening of ET. Lights will go out at 23:00 with the rest of the night continuing by candlelight.

The Astronomy Club will be having its own event on 14 August. The doors of the club will open at 20:00 for an open evening, which will include talks and hopefully some stargazing. If the skies are clear, visitors might even spy Jupiter and its moons through the telescope.