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

Meteor shower, considered one of the best of the year, occurs when Earth slams into material shed from a comet

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.