Brightest meteor shower to occur on Wednesday

The night sky on Wednesday will be illuminated by the brightest meteor shower of the year, an NGO said on Tuesday.

According to Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (Space), the "Perseids", named after the Perseus constellation, is one of the brightest meteor showers as it produces upto 60 meteors per hour at its peak.

"In fact, this year's display could spawn upto 100 meteors per hour under optimum conditions of clear, dark sky, away from the city," Space said adding that the shower is produced when the earth passes through the debris of comet Swift Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862 and last passed by earth in 1992.

"The shower runs annually from July 17 to August 24 and peaks this year on the night of August 12 and the morning of August 13," it said.

The NGO further said that the meteors will appear in all parts of the sky and one can look towards the northeast after midnight to see the shower and dark locations, away from the cities, will offer the best view.

The national capital is though likely to miss out due to the overcast clouds and rain.