Stargazers across Dorset could be treated to ‘one of the UK’s most reliable meteor showers.

Although the Leonids are active from November 6-30, the peak is expected to occur on the evening of November 17 or during the early hours of November 18.

The Leonids meteor shower usually peaks during mid-November each year and is classed as a major meteor shower with fast, bright meteors.

What makes this shower unique, is that approximately every 33 years the earth experiences a Leonid storm where thousands of meteors can be seen filling the night sky in a rain like appearance – although the next one is not expected until 2032.

The meteor shower is linked to Comet Tempel-Tuttle, which orbits the sun and leaves behind a trail of minute debris, some of which is as small as a grain of sand.

This debris vaporizes in earth’s atmosphere and produces bright light streaks known as meteors as they travel across the sky at approximately 44 miles per second.

Binoculars will not be needed to catch a glimpse of the ‘shooting stars.’

Some popular viewing spots include near the Hardy Monument, Portland Bill, Cranborne Chase, Pilsdon Pen and Ringstead Bay.

Different meteor showers are visible throughout the year and can be viewed from anywhere, though some regions offer better visibility depending on the hemisphere.

The Geminids meteor shower usually occurs between December 4 and 20, peaking on December 13 and 14.

Additionally, Ursids takes place between December 17 and 26, peaking on December 21-22.