Taurid meteor shower set to light up UK skies over next two nights

Stargazers across the UK have a chance to witness the Taurid meteor shower, which is set to reach its peak over the next two nights, weather permitting.

The Taurids, travelling at a relatively slow speed of 65,000 mph (or 17 miles per second), are known for producing bright meteors, though they appear infrequently, with only around five visible per hour.

The shower, active from October to early December, promises particularly intense displays this week, with experts noting that the meteors’ brightness makes them well worth the wait.

According to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the Taurids appear when Earth passes through a trail of ice and dust left by Comet Encke, which results in bright “crumbs” that burn up in our atmosphere.

Sky News weather producer Christopher England forecasted generally clear skies for most UK regions, though he noted a few areas might need to wait for breaks in the cloud. “It’s looking dry and clear for most tonight, though fog will be thickening up later,” he said. He added that southern England and northwest Scotland may experience cloudier skies tomorrow night, while central parts should expect clear spells.

The best time to view the Northern Taurids is around midnight. Observers are advised to watch from locations with minimal light pollution and to let their eyes adjust to the dark for the best experience.