Best chance to see Perseids meteor shower brighter this weekend as 70 shooting stars an hour coincide with new moon – here’s how to see it
The night sky is expected to put on a spectacular display with weekend as the Perseid meteor shower is due to peak with up to 70 shooting stars an hour
STARGAZERS are set for a spectacular treat this weekend as the Perseid meteor shower will be at its peak - and that's combined with a new moon.
The cosmic event, also known as the "fiery tears of Saint Lawrence," occurs when the Earth moves through the trail of debris left by the Swift-Tuttle Comet
What is the Perseid meteor shower?
The name Perseid is from the Perseus constellation, which is the area from which they appear to travel from in the sky.
Many scientists regard this as one of the most exciting astronomical occurrences of the year as around 80 meteors fall per hour.
2016 was an outburst year, which meant Brits could spot as many as 300 shooting stars an hour.
The Swift-Tuttle Comet, which is 16-miles wide and made out of ice and rock, travels through our solar system once every 133 years.
The comet will come within one million miles of Earth on August 5, 2126 and August 24, 2261.
When does the Perseid meteor shower peak?
The term peak is used to describe the moment where the meteors are most visible in the sky.
This year, the meteor shower falls on Sunday, August 12, 2018, and will peak on Monday, August 13.
Nasa predicts there will be heightened activity between 9pm, UK time on Sunday and 4am on Monday.
The astral display is also expected to be heightened by the new moon, which emits very little light, giving a clearer picture of the night sky.
Typically, the Perseids fall from July 17-August 24.
For this reason, the shower tends to be visible from mid-July each year.
On this night, the moon will be around three-quarters full, making it trickier to spot the shower in the sky.
How can I watch the Perseid meteor shower?
To get the best view of the Perseids, make sure you are observing the sky on a cloud-free night.
You will be able to see the meteors with the naked eye on a clear evening.
The celestial event will be most visible in the pre-dawn hours.
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For the best experience, visit a remote or quiet area to catch a glimpse of the meteors.
When you're away from the lights of a big city, it's easier to spot the shooting stars against the dark sky.
Look up at a height that's approximately two-thirds of the way into the sky towards any direction to see the shower.
The shooting stars should be visible on either side of the equator although the best views are expected to emerge in the mid-northern latitudes, so countries in Europe as well as the US and Canada are due to get some of the best views.