Perseid meteor shower reaches peak: When and where to catch a glimpse
The Perseid meteor shower is set to peak on Wednesday night, coinciding with a new moon for optimal viewing conditions. Astronomers also note a rare, unrelated partial solar eclipse occurring in the UK shortly before the meteor display.
Why it matters
This event offers a significant opportunity for public engagement with astronomy and provides a rare chance to observe two distinct celestial phenomena in a single evening.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Maddie Molloy , Climate & Science reporter and Matt Taylor , Lead Weather Presenter Getty Images This year's Perseid peak coincides with a new moon, so there will be no bright moonlight to obscure meteors The best annual meteor shower has once again returned to our skies, and the Perseids dazzling display is set to peak on Wednesday night.
But skywatchers will be treated to not one, but two, impressive astronomical events within just a few hours of each other.
A deep partial solar eclipse will be also visible in the UK in the early evening before the Sun sets and the stars emerge. While the two events are unrelated, their timing makes for an exceptional night of stargazing.
Astronomer Dr Becky Smethurst said it was "the perfect cosmic coincidence of events".
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in