Stunning photo made up of 43 separate images captures meteor shower over Stonehenge

Meteor fragments which lit up the sky around Stonehenge have been captured by a photographer thanks to his innovative camera techniques.   

The incredible sight was photographed by Josh Dury, from Compton Martin, who was able to combine 46 separate images of the Perseid meteor shower over the megalithic structure.

The 26-year-old astrophotographer said: 'The composite creating a visual narrative of shooting stars 'raining' down on Stonehenge.

'This image was taken over three and a half hours on Friday (9 Aug) night from 10:30pm.'

It comes as the Perseids meteor shower is set to peak this weekend and will likely be at its height on Sunday night into Monday. 

The stunning image combines 43 images of the Perseid meteors as they fell over Stonehenge, Wiltshire

The Perseids is a prolific meteor shower that is usually visible from mid-July to late-August.

It passes through the Earth's atmosphere every year when the Earth orbits through debris left by the Swift-Tuttle comet.

The meteoroids from the comet, mostly no bigger than a grain of sand, burn up as they hit the Earth's atmosphere at 36 miles per second, to produce a shooting stream of light in the sky.

During its peak time each year, viewers can see up to 100 shooting stars every hour.

Peak temperatures can reach anywhere from 1,648°C to 5,537°C as they hit the atmosphere.

The meteors are called Perseids because they seem to dart out of the constellation Perseus. 

The photograph was taken by astrophotographer Josh Drury (pictured)

Skywatchers across the UK will be among those able to enjoy the Perseid meteor shower, which takes place when the Earth ploughs through debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle Comet during its trips through the inner solar system 

Although they officially peak on the night of August 12, Daniel Brown, associate professor in astronomy at Nottingham Trent University, said it is worth keeping an eye out for a secondary peak, should it occur.

He said: 'The meteor shower slowly builds up from mid July to then reach its peak activity at 100 per hour on August 12. It then reduces until the mid-end of August.

'However, in reality, the activity can show more complex variation which means the peak might not be the only one.

'The years 2018 and 2020 had some increased activity a day or two after the main peak.

'So in addition to meteor showers not being a one-evening thing – slowly increasing and then decreasing over days – we might see that the most active evening might be followed by another one a day or two later.'

To make the most of the meteors, experts say observers should avoid well-lit and built-up areas and try to find unobstructed views.

Prof Brown said: 'Best time this year during the main peak is the second half of the night, that is the early hours of August 13. Find a place that is dark, away from direct light.'

He said it will take viewers up to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.

Prof Brown said: 'Bring along patience, and it is best to observe a big range of the sky as meteors will be visible all over.'