If you look up to the sky on Thursday after sunset you're in for a treat - as 18 meteors an hour are expected with the Lyrid meteor shower.
The celestial display should peak at 1pm on Thursday April 22. Astronomers said the best time to see it is early morning or after sunset.
The moon is at a waxing gibbous phase meaning it is quite bright in the sky, so conditions are not favourable for star gazers.
Meteor showers - also known as shooting stars - take place when pieces of debris, meteorites, enter Earth's atmosphere at speeds of around 43 miles per second.
As they burn up, streaks of light in the sky appear.
The Lyrid takes its name from the constellation of Lyra the Harp, where the shooting stars appear to emerge from.
They have been observed for millennia, with the first sightings recorded in around 687 BC.
Tania de Sales Marques, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told the Press Association: “Since the peak occurs during the day the best time to try to spot the shower will be before sunrise on the 22nd or after sunset.
“It is expected that this meteor shower will produce around 18 meteors per hour.”
These meteors are pieces of debris falling from the Thatcher Comet, which is expected to return to the inner solar system in 2276, after an orbital period of 415 years.
Ms de Sales Marques said: “The Lyrids have been observed as far back as 687 BC, the oldest known record of any meteor showers still visible today.
“It is a moderate shower with the occasional fireballs, nicknamed the Lyrid Fireballs.”
Those waiting to catch a glimpse of the meteors will also be able to spot Vega, which is Lyra’s brightest star.
Ms de Sales Marques continued: “Vega is one of the brightest stars in the sky and one of three stars that make up the Summer Triangle.
“This recognisable asterism will be easy to find in the pre-dawn sky.”
According to astronomers, the best way to see meteor showers is to be as far away from artificial lights as possible.
She added: “It is worth mentioning that meteors will be visible all over the sky, not just in the direction of the radiant, so to maximise your chance of spotting meteors, try to find a safe place that has an unobstructed view of the whole sky.
“As with any stargazing, you’ll need to allow at least 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark.”
The Lyrids occur between April 16-25 every year.
