The UK’s Dark Sky parks are without doubt the best places to go if you want to get a good look at the night sky without any light pollution spoiling the view. Anytime of year is a good time to visit a Dark Sky park all you need is a cloudless sky (and maybe a warm jumper)
However if you’re after a light show, then yu should plan your visit to a Dark Sky Park when a meteor shower (or other event is due), our table below shows the dtaes when we should all be looking up (or booking a trip to a bunkhouse in teh middle of a dark Sky Park!
The list below shows the easiest to see meteor showers which occur during 2019 and the best time to look up! Telescopes at the ready….
List of Meteor Showers 2019
| Best dates | Meteor shower | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 4 | Quadrantids | up to 100 meteors per hour! |
| April 16 – 25 | Lyrids | Look up before dawn! |
| May 5 | Eta Aquariids | Better in Southern hemisphere but visible everywhere around 4am |
| July 27 – 30 | Delta Aquariids | 15-20 Meteors per hour |
| August 11 – 13 | Perseids | Visible from late night until dawn |
| October 7 – 9 | Draconids | Best viewed from early evening |
| October 21 – 22 | Orionids | 10 -20 meteors per hours. Better after midnight |
| September 25 – November 25 | Taurids | Peak time November 5th. Up to 5 meteors but a high chance of fireballs & very bright meteors. |
| November 17-18 | Leonids | View from midnight until dawn. Up to 10-15 meteors per hours |
| December 13 – 14 | Geminids | Up to 50 meteors per hour Midnight – 2am is the best time to view. |
| December 17 – 26 | Ursids | Peak day is Dec 22nd – view a few hours before dawn Up to 5-10 meteors per hour. |
Want to get the best view of the night sky? You’ll need to head to a Dark Sky Park. An area certified as being free from light pollution enabling a clear unrivaled view of the night sky.
In the UK there are a number of Dark Sky Parks including Exmoor, The Brecon Beacons, and Northumberland . Most parks have bunkhouses, hostels and B&B’s nearby making it easy to find cost effective, budget accommodation. Don’t forget your telescope!
Tell us your best astronomy experiences below, and feel free to share photos…
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