Insert lyrics about skies full of stars, shooting stars and whatever you’re having yourself here.
If you cast your eyes to the sky tonight, you might catch a glimpse of something very special. The Perseid meteor shower occurs every August, but Astronomy Ireland have advised that tonight (12th) is the best night for Irish stargazers to see a bit of the action.
The Perseid meteor shower occurs when “…Earth passes through a cloud of dust left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle…“, resulting in tiny particles leaving the comet and creating shooting star-type trails. These trails can be seen from the ground without the use of binoculars or a telescope.
While you don’t need any extra equipment to see the Perseid shower, a cloud-free sky does come in handy. Never a guarantee on this island but according to Met Éireann tonight’s sky should be relatively clear, although scattered showers and windy conditions are forecast for the west and north. But what’s a bit of wind and rain between friends? Particularly Irish friends, we’re well used to it. Astronomy Ireland also say this year in particular offers a good chance to see the Perseid meteors as there isn’t a moon, which would usually make viewing difficult. So no better time to layer up, fill your flask with something warming, fold out the camping chair and look up for a bit of magic.
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Header image via IMDB
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