Our local astronomers (see http://www.astronomyclubs.co.uk/Clubs/Default.aspx?CountyId=92) report that, despite the hype, it will still be worth popping out into the back garden after the moon sets at half past midnight on Friday, 12 August. The real meteor shower buffs say that the best time is just before astronomical twilight starts at 03:18am (sunrise is at 05:51). But the sky will be dark any time after midnight. There is some science behind this year’s peak. The peak prediction of 200 meteors per hour (3+ every minute) is, of course, under ‘ideal conditions’ not Monmouth conditions. However, normal rate is 60 – 80 meteors per hour.