The annual spectacle of the Ursid meteor shower will provide stargazers with an astrological treat this week.
The shower, which takes place in middle of December each year, will be complemented by a crescent moon – making it easier for people in the Northern Hemisphere to see it.
Although it is not expected to be as dazzling as previous years, anyone willing to brave the early morning cold should be able to see the sky peppered with shooting stars.
Want to watch it? Here is all the information you need:
What causes the meteor shower?
The Comet 8P/Tuttle, discovered in 1790, travels around the sun every 14 years.
When the Earth passes through the debris left by the comet, small pieces pass through the atmosphere creating shooting stars - the Ursids.
The shower was first recorded in the UK in 1900.
When can you see it?
The meteor shower takes place between December 17 and 23.
The peak is set to happen in the early hours of Friday, just before sunrise.
According to NASA stargazers should expect to see around 10 meteors per hour this year.
Where is the best place to watch it?
The spectacle can be seen without any specialist equipment.
In fact, stargazers are advised against using binoculars and telescopes as they narrow your field of vision.
For maximum visibility it is best to go somewhere away from the bright lights of the city, to avoid light pollution.
But if you don’t want to leave London, it is best to go somewhere high or with a wide viewing point – such as Primrose Hill.
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