'UFO' spotted over Plymouth is actually from the Lyrid meteor shower

A video appears to show an unusual object hovering above Plymouth. The unidentified flying object appears cone-shaped with a large tail of dust behind it.

Obviously, some could see this as proof we're not alone - particularly when it was reported earlier this month that NASA scientists were hoping to attract alien life to Earth by sending a racy image into space. If that is news to you then it may shock you to know astronomers hope to send a cartoon of two nude people out into the unknown.

The project, called the 'Beacon in the Galaxy' (BITG), will see images of a man and woman, fully naked, with their hands raised in a wave. But as that project is yet to get off the ground it's highly unlikely this object over Plymouth is visitors from another world hoping to get a sight of the real thing.

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What is more likely is that it's a meteor, particularly from the Lyrid meteor shower. This outer-space phenomenon has been observed for more than 2,700 years and peaks in late April.

The shower passes Earth between April 14 and April 30. The peak of the shower is expected to come tonight with anything from between five and 20 meteors an hour to possibly 100 or more meteors an hour.

The flying debris originates from Comet Thatcher, a discovery which was first made by amateur astronomer A.E. Thatcher on its last closest approach to the solar system in 1861. The comets next visit wont take place again until 2276, unfortunately.

The shooting stars should appear to radiate from a point in the Northeastern sky near the constellation Lyra, but they can appear anywhere in the sky. Luckily, for stargazers in Plymouth the showers are best viewed from the northern hemisphere.

Those in the southern tropics will get their chance to catch some shooting stars during the May 4 to May 5 peak of the eta Aquariids meteor shower.

The next meteor shower to tick off on your calendar is the Alpha Capricornids shower. This display can be easily viewed from the Northern or Southern hemisphere, peaking on July 30 and 31.

The Alpha Capricornids shower produces few meteors but is known for producing bright fireballs when it does. So, sadly no aliens in search of nudes but at least we have something to look forward to tonight.

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