Exact times Perseids meteor shower visible in the UK in August

People across the UK have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Perseid Meteor Shower this month.

The Perseids is considered the best meteor shower of the year because it is one of the most active and produces bright meteors, including a good chance of seeing fireballs which are larger explosions of light and colour that last longer than an average meteor streak. Every summer, the Earth slams into a trail of debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet that also orbits the Sun. As the comets get close to the Sun they heat up and pieces then break off and these dust particles enter the Earth's atmosphere at average speeds of around 36 miles per second. As they do, they burn up to create bright flashes of light, or "shooting stars", across the night sky.

Around 150 meteors can be seen per hour when conditions are favourable, and while the peak of the shower has already passed, the meteor shower will still be active until August 24, so there's still a chance to catch a glimpse.

According to Royal Museums Greenwich, the best time to see the Perseid meteor shower is between 12:00 midnight and 5.30am when the moon is below the horizon.

Royal Museums Greenwich explains: "The radiant of the Perseids is actually always above the horizon as seen from the UK, which means that observers in the UK should be able to see some meteors as soon as the Sun sets. Therefore, it is worth looking up in the early evening.

"The best time to see the Perseids is between 12:00 midnight and 5:30am. It is always ideal to try to spot meteors when the Moon is below the horizon or when it is in its crescent phase, otherwise it acts as natural light pollution and prevents the fainter meteors from being visible."

To increase your chances of seeing the Perseids, the Met Office recommends finding a location with minimal light pollution and a clear view of the sky. It is best to allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for around 20 minutes and to avoid using mobile phones or bright lights during viewing.

Royal Museums Greenwich adds: "You can look out for the Perseids wherever you are, but there are certain kinds of places that will increase your chances of spotting meteors. Plan ahead and check the weather forecast. If it is likely to be inclement, find a different location or go out on a different day.

"Reduce the amount of light pollution in your field of view. This could mean heading out to the countryside, a nearby park or even turning your back to street lamps if you're not able to go anywhere.

"Give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the dark so that you can catch more of the fainter meteors - this does mean that you should avoid looking at your phone!

"Meteors can appear in any part of the sky so the more of the sky you can see, the better. Find an area with a clear view of the horizon away from trees and buildings. Binoculars and telescopes are not necessary as they will restrict the size of the sky that will be visible to you.

"The meteors will seem to originate from the constellation of Perseus. You can use a stargazing app to find the exact location you should look."