Perseid meteor shower peaks tonight in the UK

The Perseid meteor shower peaks tonight across the UK, offering stargazers a chance to see shooting stars under dark skies.

Perseid meteor shower lights up UK skies tonight

The Perseid meteor shower peaks tonight in the UK, with about 150 meteors crossing the sky each hour. Observers may only see up to 100 depending on conditions and local light pollution. The shower has been active for weeks and will be most visible in the north east as the sun sets, while in the south the meteors sit lower on the horizon, making them harder to spot.

Experts say look for dark places away from street lamps. A waning full moon could brighten the sky and obscure a perfect view. The best time is before dawn, though some meteors will be visible late at night. Bring a chair or rug, switch off house lights, and let your eyes adjust for about 30 minutes. If you struggle to see, try watching with peripheral vision to pick up fainter streaks.

This event shows how accessible science can be when everyone can participate from home. It also highlights how factors like light pollution and moon brightness shape the public experience, sometimes more than the meteor activity itself.

Highlights

Clear skies invite everyone to pause and look up