Best Chance Tonight: How to See a Meteor Shower

Tonight, anyone who can get under a clear, star-filled sky can take part in the spectacular Perseid meteor shower.

This phenomenon occurs annually, usually on August 11, 12 and 13. This evening, the chances of seeing the meteor shower are at their best, according to astronomer Peter Linde, president of the Swedish Astronomical Society.

– I think you should take advantage of it, it's the best night of the whole year.

Cause of star rain It is that the Earth collides with a cloud of dust in space from Comet Swift-Tuttle, causing its particles to enter the Earth's atmosphere.

– They burn out and disappear. You see them as quick trails of light in the sky for half a second to a second. They appear quite often, obviously.

According to Peter Linde, who himself works at the Tycho Brahe Observatory outside Malmö, the weather conditions are looking really good, at least in his part of the country.

– It will be very clear and good, providing good conditions to be able to see it tonight.

Those outside the bright lights of major cities have the best chance of seeing many meteors. No binoculars or telescopes are needed.

Anyone can sit and look at the starry sky. You just have to be patient and sit in as dark a place as possible.