Stargazers who have their eyes to the skies may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Lyrids Meteor Shower tonight. 

The annual meteor shower takes place between April 16 and 25, but reaches its peak this week, with the greatest view likely to be just before dawn on Thursday morning.

The spectacle occurs when the Earth passes through the dust left over from the comet C/186 G1 Thatcher, which makes a full orbit of the sun once every 415 years.

At its peak, the Lyrid shower should produce between 10 and 20 meteors per hour.

Conditions on Wednesday night will be clear up until 1am when there will be light cloud until 4am. Cloud cover will then become heavier. 

 

See what cloud cover will be like over the UK for the next two days 

A stargazing event will be held at Durlston Country Park in Swanage on Wednesday, April 22 led by the Wessex Astronomical Society.

Visitors will be able to look at the Lyrid meteors, moon, Jupiter, star clusters and the spring constellations as part of the weather-dependant event, which features a short talk and the use of telescopes to look at the night sky. 

The group is meeting at the learning centre at 7.30pm. It costs £3 and places must be booked in advance.

For more information, call Durlston on 01929 424443.

You can send your pictures to digital@bournemouthecho.co.uk