Geminids meteor shower: the best places for stargazing in UK cities

At the peak of the annual shower, stargazers will be able to see over 100 meteors an hour

A Geminid meteor appears in the sky above New York during 2009's shower (STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

Amateur stargazers in the run-up to Christmas are in for a spectacle, as the annual Geminids meteor shower returns to the night skies.

And with more than 100 meteors an hour visible in optimal conditions on the night of 13-14 December, the best places in the UK to spot them are being sought out.

The Geminids originate from the 3200 Phaethon asteroid, which orbits around the Sun and passes close to Earth every year.

As Phaethon, which is around 3.17 miles in diameter, hurtles through the sky, it leaves small pieces of debris behind - and when the Earth passes through this trail, we see meteors in the sky.

The Geminids, which are so named because they appear near the constellation Gemini, are best seen at certain spots in major UK cities:

1. London:

Light-pollution is a problem, so anywhere slightly out of the city is preferable. Loughton in north-east London is a good bet.

The WaterWorks Nature Reserve, which is near Claption and Leyton Midland Road train stations, is an alternative suggestion from Dark Sky Discovery.

2. Birmingham

Barr Beacon, a local nature reserve, has full 360 degree views of the landscape, while Sutton Park is also ideal.

3. Manchester

Jodrell Bank Observatory is recommended for the lack of light pollution. Astronomy sessions are also being run at Heaton Park.

4. Cardiff

One of the darkest sky sites in the UK is the Brecon Beacons. Parc Penallta is also a good location.

5. Newcastle

Northumbrian Water Group's Derwent Reservoir, just inside the Pennines, is a secluded spot for stargazing.

The Newcastle Astronomical Society also recommends Cawfields, in Northumberland National Park.

6. Edinburgh

Low level lighting makes Dunfermline Public Park a good place to spot meteors. Dark Sky Scotland also recommends Newbattle Abbey College.

7. Belfast

The Oxford Island National Nature Reserve is the best place to view the meteor show in Northern Ireland.

The particles, which are as small as grains of sand or small pebbles, will be most visible around 2am on Sunday, but should be visible earlier and later in the night too.

Fortunately, there's no danger of getting struck by a falling Geminid - they're not big enough to make it through our atmosphere unscathed, so all the meteors burn up before they get within 24 miles of the Earth's surface.