Meteors
Shooting stars are perhaps the most beautiful things we can observe in the night sky. But zoom in and shooting starts, or meteors don’t seem so lucky. A meteoroid, a moving piece of space debris, becomes a meteor when it shoots through Earth’s atmosphere and emits light as a result of friction. Meteor showers occur several times a year as Earth navigates its way through debris patches in space. A meteor becomes a meteorite when it lands on Earth’s surface.
Meteor shower calendar 2024: When to see a shooting star
Your guide to when you can see shooting stars, including how many you can expect to spot.
Fireball meteor shower tonight: How to see the Quadrantid January 2024 peak
We could see as many as 110 meteors per hour; but the Quadrantids have a narrow peak so conditions need to be perfect.
Ursid meteor shower 2023 tonight: How to see Soltice shooting stars
Conditions are less than favourable for this year's Ursid meteor shower, so you’ll need to know exactly when and where to look to maximise your chances.
Geminid meteor shower 2023 tonight: How to see the stunning peak
It’s the best shower of the year, and conditions are looking great for this year’s Geminid meteors.
Hyperactive ‘alcohol’ comet could spawn never-before-seen meteor shower tonight
Modelling has predicted that Earth’s orbit will intersect with the meteoroid stream this December.
Rare ‘lost’ meteor shower storm tonight: How to see the stunning Andromedids 2023
Astronomers are predicting a ‘meteor storm year’ for the enigmatic Andromedids, aka the 'lost shower', with as many as 200 meteors per hour visible on Saturday evening.
Leonids 2023 meteor shower tonight: How to see bright fireballs this November
Conditions are looking good for this year’s Leonids. Here's how and when to watch some of the fastest meteors of the year.
Fireball meteor shower tonight: How to see the Northern Taurid November peak
Here's a practical guide to spotting fireballs and meteors from the Northern Taurid meteor shower.
Orionid 2023 meteor shower tonight: How to see shooting stars this October
Here’s how to see remnants of Halley’s Comet streaking across the night sky as spectacular shooting stars.
Draconid 2023 meteor shower tonight: How to see the rare peak this October
Tonight is your last chance: here's how to spot a shooting star from the Draconid meteor shower.
Comet Nishimura tonight: How to see the once-in-a-lifetime celestial event
It’s likely our last chance to see this comet, last near Earth in the 17th century.
Taurid meteor shower 2023 tonight: How to see bright orange fireballs
One of the year's longest meteor showers may cast bright fireballs across the night sky.
Meteor shower peak tonight: How to see the Perseid meteor shower
Heads up stargazers, one of this year’s most active meteor showers peaks tonight.
Perseid meteor shower 2023 guide: All you need to know
The Perseid meteor shower peaks this weekend, and unlike last year, viewing conditions are set to be excellent. It’s one of the best meteor showers of the year: here’s how and when to watch
Meteor shower peak tonight: Alpha Capricornid 'fireball' shooting stars to fire across night sky
Here's everything you need to know about the summer meteor shower.
Meteor shower tonight: How to see the Delta Aquariid shooting stars
The summer meteor shower, best seen in the southern US, is soon set to peak.
Meteor shower peaks tonight: But shooting stars from the May 2023 Eta Aquariids will be rare
Here's how to get the most from this year's poor viewing conditions - and what to spot in the night sky instead.
Lyrid meteor shower 2023: How to see a stunning shooting star tonight
Conditions are looking favourable this year for one of the oldest meteor showers.
How do meteorites from Mars end up on Earth?
There are 60,000 recorded meteorites on Earth.
Quadrantid meteor shower 2023: How to see the first meteor shower of the new year
The first meteor shower of 2023 peaks tonight.
Ursid Meteor Shower 2022: Your guide to spotting a rare Christmas shooting star tonight
Viewing conditions are looking good.
Leonid meteor shower 2022: How to get the best chance of spotting a shooting star
The Earth is passing through the stream of particles left by Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Here’s how you can maximise your chances of spotting a Leonid this November.
Orionid meteor shower 2022: How to see dust from Halley’s comet
Nature’s firework display peaks tonight, here's how you can maximise your chances of spotting an Orionid.
Perseid meteor shower 2022: How to make the most of poor viewing conditions
The shower peaks this weekend, but viewing conditions are not ideal thanks to the full Moon.