This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/sci/tech/6940962.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Stargazers set sights on meteors Stargazers set sights on meteors
(about 3 hours later)
Shooting stars are set to grace the night sky with a spectacular light display this weekend.Shooting stars are set to grace the night sky with a spectacular light display this weekend.
The annual Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak during the early hours of Monday, but it will be visible from Saturday night until Tuesday morning.The annual Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak during the early hours of Monday, but it will be visible from Saturday night until Tuesday morning.
The celestial show will be most apparent in the north-eastern part of the sky near the Perseus constellation.The celestial show will be most apparent in the north-eastern part of the sky near the Perseus constellation.
If the skies remain clear, it will offer stargazers the best opportunity for a few years to see the Perseids.If the skies remain clear, it will offer stargazers the best opportunity for a few years to see the Perseids.
The shower this year coincides with a new Moon, providing sky watchers with the dark skies necessary for excellent observing conditions.The shower this year coincides with a new Moon, providing sky watchers with the dark skies necessary for excellent observing conditions.
"If we're lucky, on Sunday night and Monday morning we might see as many as 100 meteors an hour," said Dr Robert Massey from the UK's Royal Astronomical Society."If we're lucky, on Sunday night and Monday morning we might see as many as 100 meteors an hour," said Dr Robert Massey from the UK's Royal Astronomical Society.
"But the usual caveat applies: you still need good weather.""But the usual caveat applies: you still need good weather."
The best viewing conditions will be where the sky is clearest and darkest. However, meteors should be visible, to a lesser degree, in cities despite light pollution and smog.The best viewing conditions will be where the sky is clearest and darkest. However, meteors should be visible, to a lesser degree, in cities despite light pollution and smog.
"You will see them almost wherever you are, so it's worth a look," Dr Massey added."You will see them almost wherever you are, so it's worth a look," Dr Massey added.
Both hemispheres will receive good views but the prime locations will be Western Europe and North America.Both hemispheres will receive good views but the prime locations will be Western Europe and North America.
Watchers will get the best of the display from about 2200 BST (2100 GMT) on Sunday 12 August, which will peak just before sunrise on Monday 13 August.Watchers will get the best of the display from about 2200 BST (2100 GMT) on Sunday 12 August, which will peak just before sunrise on Monday 13 August.
Tiny particlesTiny particles
The annual Perseid showers are caused by small bits of debris, many no bigger than a grain of sand, that enter the Earth's atmosphere when our orbit passes through the tail of the Swift-Tuttle comet.The annual Perseid showers are caused by small bits of debris, many no bigger than a grain of sand, that enter the Earth's atmosphere when our orbit passes through the tail of the Swift-Tuttle comet.
These particles travel at very high speeds, reaching up to 50 kilometres per second (32 miles per second), and burn up in the atmosphere.These particles travel at very high speeds, reaching up to 50 kilometres per second (32 miles per second), and burn up in the atmosphere.
This causes the air around them to get extremely hot, which produces the streak of light that we see.This causes the air around them to get extremely hot, which produces the streak of light that we see.
"It's a spectacular phenomenon that everyone can enjoy. The great thing is that you don't need any equipment apart from your eyes," Dr Massey said."It's a spectacular phenomenon that everyone can enjoy. The great thing is that you don't need any equipment apart from your eyes," Dr Massey said.
"It's a laid back form of astronomy. You can go outside, look up at the sky and enjoy it. And that's really what it's about.""It's a laid back form of astronomy. You can go outside, look up at the sky and enjoy it. And that's really what it's about."
As an added bonus, watchers should be able to see Mars, which will be in view as a bright red dot in the eastern sky after midnight.As an added bonus, watchers should be able to see Mars, which will be in view as a bright red dot in the eastern sky after midnight.

Are you planning to see the spectacle? Send us your experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or if you have a large file you can click here to upload. Click here to see terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name