Plus when the Quandrantid Meteor Shower is set to peak
Meteor showers are caused by cosmic debris entering the atmosphere.(Image: Simon Robling/Getty Images)
January may be cold and dark and grey, but there is beauty all year round if you know where to look. Every January, the Quadrantid Meteor Shower lights up the night sky in the dead of winter.
The inspiring phenomenon is caused by cosmic debris entering our atmosphere, in this case the remnants of an asteroid that was discovered in 2003. This year, the annual shower is set to peak between the evening of Saturday, January 3 and the early hours of Sunday, January 4.
To see the meteor shower, you need to be in a place with a dark sky and low light pollution. We’ve put together some popular local stargazing spots below for anyone who hopes to catch a glimpse of this magical event.
Do use common sense and be mindful of your safety when you go stargazing. Bring a torch, bring your phone with plenty of charge, and ideally don’t go alone.
If you do go alone, make sure someone you live with knows where you’re going and when you plan to be back. Do not wander into areas with low visibility or where you cannot see where you are going.
It’s due to be quite chilly when the meteor shower peaks at Sunday – with early forecasts seeing Somerset hover around -1 degrees Celsius at midnight on Sunday – so do wrap up warm and bring a flask of hot chocolate!
Currently, the sky is set to be clear around most of Somerset.
Glastonbury Tor
158m above sea level, Glastonbury Tor is quite a climb but the reward for avid stargazers is great. Perched on the tor, you’ll get a great view of the night sky without having to crane your head!
The Quantocks
In South Somerset, the best place to watch the meteor shower is likely the ancient, rolling Quantock Hills. With 38 square miles of beautiful countryside, there’s plenty of places to truly take in the night’s sky.
The Quantock Hills Partnership recommends Lydeard Hill as a prime star gazing spot with barely any light pollution and a nearby car park. Cothelstone Hill Car Park, Dead Woman’s Ditch Car Park, and Quantock Hills Viewpoint Car Park are also popular locations.
Bath
As a city, Bath sadly doesn’t have any truly ideal stargazing spots like you would find in the country. However, Roundhill in Southdown does offer some relief from all the light pollution.
The place with the least light pollution – without driving out of Bath entirely! – is reputedly Lansdown Park & Ride. This may be your best bet at seeing the shower if you don’t want to leave Bath.
Blackdown Hills
True to its name, Blackdown Hills offers some lovely dark skies. Located along the Somerset-Devon border, the 140 square mile hills are niicely elevated for viewing the meteor shower and are just a short drive from Wellington and Taunton.
Weston-super-Mare
As a big town, it may be too bright to watch the Quadrantid in the centre of Weston. However, a short drive away will take you to Brean Down, a choice spot for any avid stargazer where you can watch the meteor shower overlooking the sea.