How and when to view the Perseids meteor shower this weekend
manchestereveningnews.co.ukStargazers will be in for a treat as the current Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak this weekend. Flashes of dust and rock from a meteor will be visible in the night sky - and the shower will be at its brightest on Saturday morning (August 12) thanks to the moon only being 10 percent illuminated.
The phenomenon is caused as the Earth passes through the Swift-Tuttle comment on its path around the sun. There may even be a chance to see especially bright meteors known as fireballs, as well as meteors with long trains. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features. The shower first began on July 17 and is due to last until August 24 - but this weekend is the best time to see it.
The clearer the sky, the better the chances of catching the shower are. The positioning of the storm from the UK means it will be visible from above the horizon, so it's worth looking up in the early evening as you might spot some meteors before the sun sets.
In Greater Manchester tonight, there's due to be some cloud in the sky. But between midnight and 2am as we head into Saturday morning, the sky will be clear - which will likely be your best chance to view the meteor shower.
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