Picture shows Perseid meteor shower fireball over Herefordshire

Hereford Times Camera Club member Chris Lyons was on hand to capture a shot of the Perseid meteor shower a few nights ago.

Fans of the night sky were in for an extra special moment as the shower lit up the night skies in what is considered one of the highlights of the year for stargazers.

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It peaked in the early hours of Saturday, with up to 150 shooting stars streaking through the sky per hour.

The stunning display is caused by Earth slamming into the debris left behind by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle in July and August each year.

An zoomed-in version of the photo. Picture: Chris Lyons/Hereford Times Camera Club

The shower is believed to originate from the Perseus constellation which is in the northern sky and is named after the Greek mythological hero Perseus. 

The shower is considered one of the best of the year because it produces bright meteors and is one of the most active.

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There is also a high chance of seeing fireballs, which are very bright meteors, as well as meteors with long trains.

Mr Lyons shared his pictures, taken at 1.38am in the morning, in the camera club.

He said he took them near Ross-on-Wye.