Perseid meteor shower peaks on same day as solar eclipse — here’s how to watch

The Perseids’ peak coincides with another highly anticipated celestial event: a total solar eclipse that will be visible in parts of Europe.

One of the year’s brightest and most popular meteor showers peaks this week, offering a chance to see shooting stars cross a particularly dark sky, thanks to the new moon.

The Perseid meteor shower has been underway since mid-July, but is expected to peak overnight from Wednesday to Thursday.

Because the moon’s illuminated side is currently facing the sun, with its night side facing Earth, bright moonlight won’t interfere with one of the most anticipated skywatching events of the summer.

The Perseids’ peak coincides fortuitously with what is perhaps the season’s most eagerly awaited celestial event: a total solar eclipse that will be visible from Spain, a small part of Portugal, Greenland, Iceland and northern Russia on Wednesday.

A total solar eclipse happens when the sun, moon and Earth align and the moon passes in front of the sun, fully obscuring its light.