A meteor shower is expected to be visible across UK skies tonight (August 12 to 13), including over Lancashire, as the Earth passes through a cloud of cometary dust, producing up to 100 meteors every hour.

If skies are clear, the Perseid meteor shower should be visible across the UK from around sunset on the night of August 12 until the early hours of August 13.

The Perseids are caused when the Earth slams into the debris left behind by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, explains Royal Museums Greenwich.

If you’d like to see the meteor shower in the sky tonight, here are the best stargazing spots in Lancashire, according to Go Stargazing.

Best places to see the Perseid meteor shower in Lancashire

The meteor shower became visible back in July but it is set to peak tonight and continue until August 24, Royal Museums Greenwich adds.

Royal Museums Greenwich explained that is good to plan ahead, saying: "You can look out for the Perseids wherever you are, but there are certain kinds of places that will increase your chances of spotting meteors.

"Plan ahead and check the weather forecast. If it is likely to be inclement, find a different location or go out on a different day. The days leading up to the peak are usually better than the days after.

"Reduce the amount of light pollution in your field of view. This could mean heading out to the countryside, a nearby park or even turning your back to street lamps if you're not able to go anywhere. Give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the dark so that you can catch more of the fainter meteors – this does mean that you should avoid looking at your phone!

The meteor shower will peak tonightThe meteor shower will peak tonight (Image: PA Graphics)

"Meteors can appear in any part of the sky so the more of the sky you can see, the better. Find an area with a clear view of the horizon away from trees and buildings. Binoculars and telescopes are not necessary as they will restrict the size of the sky that will be visible to you.

"The meteors will seem to originate from the constellation of Perseus. You can use a stargazing app to find the exact location you should look."

In Lancashire, there are plenty of great spots to see the stars and meteor showers like this one, including dark sky locations, public stargazing events, observatories and stargazing accommodation.

Here are the best spots:

  • Deepdale Labour and Social Club, Preston
  • Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston
  • Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory – Moor Park, Preston
  • Alston Observatory, Preston
  • Beacon Fell Visitor Centre, Preston
  • Blackpool Cricket Club
  • Pilling Embankment, Pilling
  • Slaidburn Visitor Car Park, Clitheroe
  • Gisburn Forest Hub, Clitheroe
  • Church of the Ascension – Torrisholme
  • Crook O Lune Picnic Site, Halton Green
  • Caton Moor Windfarm, Lancaster

Best places to stay to stargaze in Lancashire:

  • Bowland Wild Boar Park, Preston
  • Clerk Laith Lodge, Newton in Bowland
  • Graystock Lodge, Cockerham

Look out for the Perseid meteor shower around the time the sun sets tonight (August 12).