This August’s Perseid meteor shower is set to be phenomenal, thanks to a moonless sky (Source countryliving.com) The Perseids are one of the brightest meteor showers of the year, but the annual display is set to be even more dazzling this summer. The spectacular show occurs when the Earth moves through the trail of material left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle. It’s loved by astronomers for being one of the most active meteor showers and although bad weather can interfere with visibility, experts expect the 2018 Perseids to be particularly special, thanks to a moonless sky. “The Perseid meteor shower is one of the more impressive showers over the course of the year, as it peaks with a rate up to 100 meteors per hour,” Royal Observatory astronomer Gregory Brown told Country Living. “This year, the peak of the shower coincides with the new moon phase, meaning there will be very little light from the moon interfering with your view.” The shower will last for most of August, but for optimal viewing, look up at the sky when the Perseids reach their peak on the nights of 12th and 13th of the month. Stargazers will need to find a dark sky location and be prepared to be patient – it takes around half an hour for eyes to adjust to the dark.