Experts predict weeks of rare meteor showers after stunning display – here's how Scots can see them

Scottish Sun

3 days ago

SCOTS were in total awe on Wednesday night as they saw a bright orange light soaring across the sky.
The mysterious object was spotted across the Central Belt, with people from Glasgow to Edinburgh all reporting their sightings.
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The meteor was spotted over Scotland
Credit: Edinburgh Airport
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The bright orange light was seen soaring across the skies on Wednesday night
Credit: Edinburgh Airport
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Experts revealed there will be more chances to see it this month
Credit: Edinburgh Airport
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Locals were baffled after spotting the bright light soaring through the sky
Credit: Edinburgh Airport
It raced across the night sky leaving a bright amber tail in its wake.
Edinburgh Airport even shared images from their security cameras of the meteor soaring over the skies.
And experts were quick to confirm what they had all seen was a meteor.
Meteors are small pieces of interplanetary debris which enter the earths atmosphere and burn up.
But if anyone didn't get a glance and is feeling some cosmic FOMO then they don't need to worry.
The meteor everyone saw on Wednesday was part of the Alpha Capricornids, and they will be seen again this month.
The gathering of galactic debris soars through space and is visible when it hits the atmosphere during the summer months.
It is known for producing slow-moving and very bright fireballs as they hit earth's atmosphere and burn up.
Their spotting season normally begins on July 3, the day when most people saw the first sighting.
This year's season is expected to end on August 15 but there is one day when the season will peak around July 30.
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Experts have now revealed the best way for anyone to get out and try to see them.
Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer Jessica Lee said: "This meteor shower is known for producing fireballs.
"Fireballs are exceptionally bright meteors, normally caused by larger sized fragments of the parent comet.
"This shower is linked with debris from a comet called 169P/NEAT. Mostly the objects causing fireballs still burn up in our atmosphere and don't reach the surface, but it is possible that parts survive.
"Fireballs are exciting to witness but not incredibly rare - it's just that most of the approximately 50 tons of material that fall through the Earth's atmosphere each day do so over the sea or over less populated areas."
How to see a meteor shower?
IF you want to get a glimpse of the meteor showers flying over Scotland's skies, then experts have combined these top tips to make sure you don't miss out. Plan ahead - Make sure you check the weather before you go. Severe or harsh weather isn't ideal for meteor spotting so try and find somewhere with calmer conditions if you can.
Make sure you check the weather before you go. Severe or harsh weather isn't ideal for meteor spotting so try and find somewhere with calmer conditions if you can. Save the date - If you cannot find the right conditions on the peak of the storm then try heading out on some of the days before. You are much more likely to see a storm on the days leading up to the peak than the days after.
If you cannot find the right conditions on the peak of the storm then try heading out on some of the days before. You are much more likely to see a storm on the days leading up to the peak than the days after. Find somewhere dark - Try to reduce the amount of light around you. This could mean heading out to the countryside, a nearby park or even turning your back to street lamps if you're not able to go anywhere.
Try to reduce the amount of light around you. This could mean heading out to the countryside, a nearby park or even turning your back to street lamps if you're not able to go anywhere. Let your eyes adjust - Give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the dark conditions. This means you could be able to spot more faint meteors .
Give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the dark conditions. This means you could be able to spot more faint meteors STAY OFF YOUR PHONE - Letting your eyes adjust means staying off your phone. The light from the screen will stop your eyes from adjusting. You can always check your messages when you tell people about the meteors you saw.
Letting your eyes adjust means staying off your phone. The light from the screen will stop your eyes from adjusting. You can always check your messages when you tell people about the meteors you saw. More sky the better - Meteors can appear in any part of the sky so the more of the sky you can see, the better. Find an area with a clear view of the horizon away from trees and buildings.
Meteors can appear in any part of the sky so the more of the sky you can see, the better. Find an area with a clear view of the horizon away from trees and buildings. Use your eyes - Binoculars and telescopes are not necessary as they will restrict the size of the sky that will be visible to you.
Binoculars and telescopes are not necessary as they will restrict the size of the sky that will be visible to you. Use an app - If you aren't sure about where you should go to see a meteor shower, try using a stargazing app to find the perfect spot.
She added: "The Alpha Capricornids meteor shower is active between the July 3 and August 15.
"The peak of this shower will be on the 30th July, but don't expect hundreds of shooting stars, as it has a maximum of around 5 meteors per hour.
"If you do want to try and catch a shooting star you'll need to go outside when it's dark and clear, and ideally somewhere with a clear view of as much of the sky as possible.
"Meteor showers are always a waiting game, so bring a hot drink, something comfortable to sit on and wrap up warm if needed!"
Not only will Scots be able to see the Alpha Capricornids, but it will overlap with the Perseids, one of the most dramatic and highly anticipated meteor events of the year.
The Perseids will be visible from July 17 until August 24.
If conditions are ideal then stargazers could see up to 150 bright fast moving meteors flying through the sky every hour.
Scottish skywatchers were also treated to the Lyrid meteor shower in April and the Quadrantid meteor shower in January.