An impressive meteor shower (aka Shooting Stars) will be seen over the UK this weekend, if the clouds stay away and tonight (12-13th August 2007) will be the most striking because it will be a new moon and we should see a meteor every 45 seconds and possibly there could be much more than that. Unfortunately the north of the country and Scotland may not be as good, as there are heavy clouds and rain forecast although if you are patient you should still see an exciting performance.

Try and drive out of town as artificial street and home/business lighting will weaken the event so a lay-by on the side of the road is perfect, I remember going out about 3am with my two sons a few years ago and we saw the most incredible sights, it really is worth staying up or getting up early and if you are superstitious you can make some wishes at the same time. The year’s largest display of meteors, although started Friday it peaks on the morning of 13th August, when the Earth sweeps through the dust trail left by the Swift-Tuttle comet in 1992.

The meteors can be expected after sunset, barring clouds, with the north-east the best place to look because the sky will be darkest. The display should be best between 12am and 4am - although the bright and almost full moon will outshine some falling stars - and around 10 o’clock tonight while the moon is low. If you have never seen a meteor shower, this is a really good opportunity to watch one. It should be spectacular.

The nice thing about it is that it is really easy to watch and you do not need any specialist viewing equipment other than a pair of eyes. You just have to get out of bed and look toward the northeast and/or east. Even if you just watch for a few minutes, you should see quite a few meteors.The Perseids are made up of dusty debris shed by Comet Swift-Tuttle, discovered in 1862. Each year the Earth’s orbit causes it to plough through the meteors, which burn up as they shoot through the upper atmosphere.

Most of the meteors are no bigger than a grain of sand, but as they shoot through the Earth’s atmosphere at around 135,000mph they burn up in a bright light and many leave a glowing streak in their wake. Occasionally they ignite into a bright fireball as larger meteors shoot through. Chinese records from 36AD contain the earliest reports of the Perseids. You should also watch out for Mars, which will be especially bright in the northern sky tonight. Have fun and sorry I only have an update for the UK, try doing a www.google.co.uk search for your area.