Perseid meteor shower: How and when to watch it in London

The shower is popular with sky gazers due to its high hourly rate and bright meteors caused by the Earth slamming into the debris left behind by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle in July and August every year.

The shower produces very bright meteors and is one of the most active. There is a high chance of seeing fireballs as well as meteors with long trains.

It is called the Perseids because the meteors seem to originate from the constellation of Perseus.

When will the Perseid meteor shower be visible in London this weekend?

This year, the Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak during the night of Saturday, August 12, into the early hours of August 13, with up to 100 shooting stars an hour.

The best time to view the shower is reportedly between midnight and 5.30 am.

Where is it best to see the meteor showers in London?

The website Go Stargazing has a list of spots on its website that you could travel to from London to see the meteor shower.

You will need to travel a little distance from the region to have the best chance of seeing the shooting stars, as the light pollution is high.

If you lay down or sit to watch the shower, ensure your feet are facing southeast for the best view.

Additionally, make sure to turn off phones and torches 15 minutes before to allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness.

According to the Met Office, the Saturday evening forecast is cloudy but dry with a less than 5% chance of precipitation.