The Delta Aquariids meteor shower will explode overhead on Monday night, with clear skies making the show visible across much of the UK.
A Meteor rain occurs when Earth passes through a debris stream left by a comet.
As this debris hits the atmosphere, it burns up, leaving glowing trails across the sky.
In the case of the Delta Aquariids, the comet responsible for the shower has been disputed, although it is now thought to be a sun-grazing comet called Comet 96P/Machholz.
Although Earth began passing through the debris trail on July 12, it peaked tonight, meaning this is your best chance to see it.
It will then continue every night, disappearing around August 25th.
Comet 96P/Machholz is about four miles wide and takes just over five years to orbit the Sun, says the Royal Greenwich Observatory.
The comet comes very close to the Sun during its orbit and, as it does so, the ice inside vaporizes and releases small pieces of rock and dust.
This rock and dust then forms the debris flow that produces the Delta Aquariids meteor shower.
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How to watch
Try moving away from lights to reduce light pollution, and look at the darkest parts of the sky once the sun sets tonight.
For the best viewing, NASA recommends observing during the “dark hours” after the moon sets and before sunrise. For the UK, this will happen around midnight to 2am.
There are some clouds moving across the sky overnight, but much of the UK should have clear skies.
If you don’t spot the Delta Aquariids, don’t worry—on August 12 and 13, the spectacular Perseid shower, which NASA describes as the “best meteor shower of the year,” will peak.
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