I spent a few hours out in the garden this week to catch the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower, and it absolutely did not disappoint. With the Moon setting early and leaving behind a wonderfully dark sky, the conditions were practically perfect here in Sussex.

The Perseids are essentially debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle, and as the Earth ploughs through that dust stream every August, the friction with our atmosphere produces these brilliant, fast-moving streaks of light. I managed to count quite a few bright fireballs leaving persistent trails. It is one of the most accessible and consistently impressive astronomical events of the year, requiring no telescopes - just a comfortable deckchair and a bit of patience.

SPACE.com: Perseid meteor shower of 2021 thrills skywatchers