Meteor shower UK: What time are the Geminids in YOUR area?

A THRILLING meteor shower lit up UK skies last night and this morning. – But if you did not manage to see them, it is not too late.

By Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz /

Just as cinema-goers poured out of the midnight premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, they would have been able to look up and see an amazing sight.

The Geminid meteor shower reached its peak in the solar system.

It is known as one of the most amazing celestial events of the year.

Meteors, or shooting stars, are specs of dust that collide with our planet and burn up in the atmosphere.

The collisions create bright streaks in the sky, which vary in colour and brightness.

Meteor shower NASA

GEMINIDS 2017: Geminid meteor shower over Alabama, US

The balls of fire burn between 80 and 120km above our heads, making a fantastic display.

Around 120 to 160 meteors could be seen between 2am and 3am last night.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich estimated that the meteor shower produced more than 75 shooting stars an hour.

Meteors could even be seen from central London, but they would have been clearer in the countryside.

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    When can you see the meteor showers:

    Even if you missed the height of the beautiful display, meteor showers will last until dawn on December 14.

    As the darkness covers the planet, it will be easier to spot the meteors.

    The showers reach their peak every year on December 13 and 14, but meteors appear every night for two weeks from early December.

    Yesterday the sun set at around 3.51pm in London, 5.42pm in Glasgow and 4.03pm in Cardiff.

    Meteors GETTY

    BURN: Meteors are specs of dust that collide with our planet

    Click here to find out when the sun will set in your area.

    This is when you will most likely spot the showers.

    You should also still be able to see individual meteors until Saturday, December 16.

    You can find out the location of the Geminids in the sky here:

    Geminid meteor shower GETTY

    METEOR SHOWER: The Geminids reached its peak in the solar system between December 13 and 14

    How to watch the meteor shower:

    The only equipment you need to see the meteors are your eyes.

    In order to see them more clearly a dark sky is optimal.

    It also helps to lie down and look up, to get the best view.

    Although the Geminids can be seen from cities, it is advised to head out to a play were artificial lights do not interfere with your viewing.

    The Royal Greenwich Observatory said: "Hunting for meteors, like the rest of astronomy, is a waiting game, so it's best to bring a comfy chair to sit on and to wrap up warm as you could be outside for a while.”

    "They can be seen with the naked eye so there's no need for binoculars or a telescope, though you will need to adjust your eyes to the dark."

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