UK stargazers could be in for a treat this weekend with the Taurid meteor shower peaking in the northern hemisphere.
The Taurids are an annual meteor shower that usually occurs from the end of October and throughout November.
On November 12 and 13, the Taurids are expected to peak, meaning that people around the UK might be able to glimpse up to five meteors an hour.
Although you will be able to spot these slow-moving s until December, this weekend is your best shot due to their frequency.
So what do we know about the Taurids?
What is the Taurid meteor shower?
The Taurids are caused when our planet travels through a cloud of debris left by Comet Encke – which orbits the Sun every three years.
When these tiny pieces of debris enter Earth's atmosphere, they cause bright streaks of light as they burn up.
They get their name because the meteors appear to emerge from the Taurus constellation.
Because this comet's stream is so dispersed, the Taurids are separated into North and South Taurids, depending on the hemisphere.
Sometimes, these meteors also become fireballs – an official Nasa term for a bright meteor that burns for a longer time.
How and where to watch the Taurid meteor shower
According to the Royal Museum Greenwich, the best way to see the Taurid meteor shower this weekend is to find a spot with little light pollution.
Thanks to the new moon, the dark sky offers a great background for catching a glimpse of the meteors and countless other stars in our sky.
The best time to look up is around midnight around November 12 to 13. However, you may also be able to spot the meteors on other nights as well.
You should be able to spot the meteors with your naked eye, as long as you have enough patience to wait for one.
Make sure to wrap up warm and find a safe, comfortable position before looking up and waiting for the meteors to zoom by.
What are the weather conditions?
One of the biggest setbacks to stargazing in the UK tends to be the weather conditions. This is especially the case in winter.
Luckily for some UK viewers, there may be dry and frosty weather over the weekend.
This means you have a better chance of a clear night sky and some perfect meteor viewing.
According to the Met Office, long spells of rain are expected for the following week, so this might be your best shot at glimpsing the meteor shower.
