Perseid meteor shower lights up Fylde coast skies after breathtaking solar eclipse

Stargazers were treated to one of the year’s most anticipated astronomical displays as the Perseid meteor shower reached its peak overnight on August 12 and into the early hours of August 13 after the stunning solar eclipse.

The annual meteor shower is considered one of the best of the year, with bright meteors streaking across the night sky as tiny pieces of debris from Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle enter Earth’s atmosphere. Award-winning Fylde coast photographer Dave Nelson captured the picture below of the meteor shower over St Annes Pier.

This year’s display offered particularly favourable viewing conditions, with the peak coinciding with a New Moon. The lack of significant moonlight meant darker skies, giving observers a better chance of spotting the meteors.

The Perseids can produce up to around 100 meteors an hour under ideal conditions, although the number visible depends on factors including light pollution, weather and the observer’s location. The best opportunities generally come after midnight and towards dawn, when Earth is facing into the stream of debris left behind by the comet.

No specialist equipment is needed to enjoy the spectacle, with observers able to watch the meteors with the naked eye. Finding a dark location away from street lights and allowing time for eyes to adjust can improve the chances of seeing the display.

The Perseids have been active since July and will continue into the latter part of August, meaning there are still opportunities to spot shooting stars even after the peak. The meteor shower also formed part of an exceptional night for skywatchers, arriving on the same day as a major solar eclipse visible across parts of the UK and Europe.