Sky watchers are in for a treat tonight, as the Delta Aquariid meteor shower reaches its peak and shooting stars fill the night sky.
The Delta Aquariids take place every year between mid-July and late-August, but they peak around the night of July 28.
The best views of the meteor shower are in the Southern Hemisphere, but it will also be visible from mid-northern latitudes.
If you're in a dark place with a clear sky, and the moon is not too bright, you should be able to see around 20 shooting stars every hour.
What causes the Delta Aquariids?
Meteors come from leftover comet particles and bits from broken asteroids.
When comets come around the sun, the dust they emit gradually spreads into a dusty trail around their orbits.
Every year the Earth passes through these debris trails, which allows the bits to collide with our atmosphere where they disintegrate to create fiery and colourful streaks in the sky.
The pieces of space debris that interact with our atmosphere to create the Delta Aquariids are suspected to originate from comet 96P/Machholz.
This comet, discovered by Donald Machholz in 1986, is about four miles across, and orbits the sun about once every five years.
How to see the Delta Aquariids
Find an area well away from city or street lights, and come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair.
Lie flat on your back and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible.
Focus your attention halfway between the horizon and the zenith (the point in the sky directly above your head), and 45 degrees from the constellation of Aquarius.
In less than 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors.
Be patient - the show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse.
When is the next meteor shower?
If you don't manage to spot a shooting star this time, the good news is that you don't have to wait long for your next opportunity to see one.
The Perseids meteor shower will peak on August 11 - and these will be much more visible for people in the Northern Hemisphere.
