The Perseid meteor shower occurs every year in August, with activity usually peaking around the 12th or 13th of the month. Long summer nights are ideal for meteor shower-spotting, and the Perseids can often reach a zenithal hourly rate of 100.
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This is the number of meteors you might expect to see during peak activity from a dark location under perfect conditions, and so the actual number to be seen on a given night is likely to be less.
Nevertheless, the Perseids are certainly a highlight in the annual meteor shower calendar.
We’ve put together a selection of some of the best Perseid astrophotos sent in by readers over the years, as an example of what to expect if you go meteor-spotting in mid August.
If you do want to try and spot a Perseid meteor, or even take a photograph of one, read our guides below:
