The Perseid meteor shower will peak on Tuesday night, providing spectators with what could be one of the most stunning sights of the year.
Known for its bright, swift meteors, which are sometimes referred to as ‘shooting stars’, the shower illuminates the sky every summer.
However, the recent Sturgeon Moon's brilliant moonlight may have impacted visibility, making it more difficult to spot the fainter streaks.
Although the Perseids can be seen with the unaided eye, local weather will have a significant impact, so check your forecast before you take a look.
What time to see the Perseid meteor shower
According to the Royal Observatory, the meteor shower began on July 17 and will continue until August 24. It is anticipated that the quantity of meteors will rise each night until it peaks on August 12.
The optimum time to gaze up on this day is between midnight on August 11 and 5:30am, according to the Royal Observatory, but watchers in the UK should be able to see some meteors as soon as the sun sets.
This year's peak falls on the same day as the strong Sturgeon Moon, which will still be extremely bright at the peak after reaching its full phase on August 9.
Jupiter and Venus will also be at their closest on August 11 and 12, which is a plus for anyone hoping to see the meteor shower.
According to Nasa, the two planets will be around a degree apart on the morning of the 12 and will be at their brightest just before sunrise.
The moon's 84 per cent brightness may make it more difficult for this year's Perseids shower to reach its peak.
The brightest meteors should be washed out by the moon's glare, according to Nasa, but there is still hope.
By blocking off some of the moonlight with a tree or towering building, ardent stargazers could still be able to view the phenomenon.
How to see the Perseid meteor shower
Unsurprisingly, experts advise that in order to fully enjoy the sight, viewers should still steer clear of populated and well-lit regions and look for unhindered views.
According to Dr Ashley King, a meteorite expert at London's Natural History Museum, the best places to see meteors are usually on a hill in the midst of the countryside or near the seaside.
He cautions stargazers to exercise patience as the skies may appear blank for the first ten minutes until their eyes get used to the darkness.
As your eyes adjust to the darkness, using a red light torch can also be beneficial because it won't cause eye strain.
Why does the Perseid meteor shower happen?
Earth's passage through a cloud of dust left behind by the Comet Swift-Tuttle is the cause of the centuries-old phenomena.
At 36 miles per second, the meteors, which are usually scarcely larger than a grain of sand, strike the Earth's atmosphere and burn up, leaving behind dazzling light trails.
The Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus, from which the meteors appear to originate.
Perseids are also renowned for their fireballs but unlike the typical meteor streak, this is distinguished by greater flashes of colour and light that remain in the sky for longer.
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