Meteor shower and supermoon set to light up Derbyshire’s night sky
The Perseid meteor shower occurs when debris from the tail of the Swift-Tuttle comet, which last passed near Earth in 1992 and is not due to return until 2125, collides with the atmosphere.
The spectacle – which is expected to produce 100 shooting stars per hour – will peak between August 10 and August 13.
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A Met Office spokesman urged residents to wrap up warm, go outside, lie back and look up during the early hours.
The spokesman added: “To see the meteor shower, you don’t need a telescope, binoculars or any other equipment – all you need is your eyes.
“You don’t need to look in any particular direction as meteors appear randomly anywhere in the sky.”
It promises to be a special month for stargazers as a supermoon – when the celestial body is closer to Earth than normal, making it look exceptionally bright and large – will grace the night sky on August 10.
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A spokesman for Nasa said: “During the second week of August, the biggest and brightest full moon of the year will face off against everyone’s favourite meteor shower – and the outcome could be beautiful.”
• If you get any pictures or video of the Perseid meteor shower and supermoon in Derbyshire, email [email protected]