Perseid meteor shower to brighten night sky as it peaks this week

A long exposure image of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Dr Ed Bloomer, a senior astronomer, said the spectacle was best viewed using peripheral vision. Photograph: Francisco Seco/AP

The sky is expected to brighten up this week – but it has nothing to do with sunshine: the annual Perseid meteor shower is approaching its peak.

Considered one of the best meteor showers of the year, the Perseids are active from mid-July and are predicted to peak overnight from Monday 12 August to Tuesday 13 August.