A meteor shower which will be visible from Bristol has been captured lighting up the South West. The Geminid meteor shower is visible from around December 4 to December 20 but will be at its peak in Bristol tonight.
Last night (Friday, December 13), photographer Josh Drury caught a breath-taking picture of the shower in nearby Somerset. The meteor shower – called Geminids because they radiate from the Gemini constellation – are made up of small pieces of space debris.
Speaking last year, Dr Minjae Kim, research fellow in the physics department at the University of Warwick, said: “The Geminids meteor shower will be peaking this week, offering views of one of the year’s most prolific meteor showers against the darkness of the winter’s sky. An interesting feature of the Geminids is that their radiant point, where the meteors seem to originate from, rises in the mid-evening.
“This means you can start watching this shower earlier in the night than most other meteor showers. These meteors are known for their brightness, speed and typically yellow hue. The Geminids are observable worldwide due to their nearly 24-hour peak duration, making them accessible during both night and predawn hours.”
Dr Kim recommends getting away from the bright lights of the city for the best view: “In the UK, I would recommend you head out around 6-7pm, giving your eyes enough time to adjust to the night sky, enhancing the visibility of the meteors. The best viewing spot would be somewhere far away from urban lights – so rural areas will get the best viewing experience.”
Dr Kim also suggests switching your phone off or putting on a red light filter while stargazing. He continued: “If you can’t switch off your phone entirely, using a red light filter on your device can help preserve your night vision while still allowing you to use it.
“Additionally, having a mobile device with a sky viewing app can be handy to locate the Gemini constellation, enhancing your meteor-watching experience. The spectacle continues until dawn, offering ample opportunities for observation – aided by the long nights of December.”