A stunning Perseid meteor shower with up to 40 per hour this year is scheduled to happen tonight, as the peak falls on the night of August 12 and before dawn on August 13.

The Perseids will be visible with the naked eye during the peak. The shower, also known as the 'fiery tears of Saint Lawrence', is a celestial event that takes place when the Earth crosses galactic debris the dusty tail of Swift-Tuttle Comet leaves behind as it passes by. 

It is worth noting that the shooting stars will be visible both north and south of the equator, although the best views are for those in mid-northern latitudes.

For those in areas with low light pollution, smog, and clear skies, the Perseids will be visible to the naked eye, with no specialist equipment needed. So, to glimpse the radiant show head away from the lights of towns, cities, buildings, and trees and where there is a clear view of the horizon.

It is predicted that the Perseid meteor shower will peak on the night of August 12 into the early hours of August 13 when the sky is at its darkest.

For stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere, experts recommend expecting the meteor shower after 10 pm local time, but it will be at its best during the early hours of dawn. 

The meteor shower is often dubbed the best of the year because of how bright and active it is, with up to 40 meteors per hour expected this year.

Perseids peak meteor count in previous years has been up to 100 meteors/hr., according to NASA, but it's anticipating up to 40 next week.  

In 2021 the Perseid meteor shower is active between 16 July and 23 August, with the number of meteors increasing every night until it reaches a peak in mid-August, after which it will tail off,' Royal Museums Greenwich explains.