Skygazers are in for an incredible sight this week as the celestial spectacle Perseids meteor shower will be visible from Scotland.
The shower of shooting stars is often dubbed the best of the year because of how bright and active it is.
It appears every year around August time - and up to 50 meteors can be spotted each hour if viewing conditions are good, according to the Royal Astronomical Society.
And it looks set to be especially remarkable this year, as the sky will be particularly dark with the Moon is in its waxing crescent phase.
That means sky-watchers In Scotland under clear skies should have the best possible dark-sky conditions.
The shower will be visible for star gazers across the country - and it's so bright that even those in light polluted cities should catch a glimpse.
What time can I see the meteor shower?
The best of the showers will arrive before the sun rises on Thursday, 12 August.
Around 5.30 am on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 August will be the best time to spot the shooting stars, however it will also be visible before and after these dates - it just won't be very bright.
Seeing the shower will not require any special equipment and you wont need a telescope like you would for a far-off planet or star, but it does require some pre-planning and patience.
The best way to catch a glimpse of the radiant show is away from the lights of towns, cities, buildings, and trees, and where there is a clear view of the horizon.
Once your eyes have adjusted to the darkness and you've waited for a little while, you should be able to spot the shower in all its glory.
There is a chance that you wont be able to see the stars for bad weather, so keep your eyes peeled for clouds that could block the view.
The sparkling treat is set to continue over the Northern Hemisphere for a few days after the peak with reduced activity and occurs in July and August every year.
What is a meteor shower?
During a shower, Earth passes through a cloud of debris left behind by comets, and so many more meteors are seen entering the atmosphere.
The Perseids are associated with Comet 109/P Swift-Tuttle, which last passed near Earth in 1992.
When comets travel close to the sun, they heat up and disintegrate. If this happens in Earth’s path around the sun, they can head towards our atmosphere at high speeds.
The superheated air around the meteors glows and leaves behind trails of light and explosions in the form of fireballs.
