Another celestial event is expected to follow the solar eclipse tonight, and it will be visible over Essex.
The first partial solar eclipse since 1999 dazzled the county this evening, with 92 per cent of the sun being covered by the moon.
Hundreds of people gathered across Essex to witness the spectacle, which finished just after 8pm.
However, the excitement is far from over.
The annual Perseid meteor shower is set to be visible over Essex tonight, peaking in the early hours of Thursday.
Around 100 meteors could be seen per hour during the showers peak.
This meteor shower is created as Earth travels through a stream of dust left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle.
Each tiny grain of dust hits Earth's atmosphere at about 60 kilometres per second, creating a shooting star effect.
The shower is known as one of the most impressive of the year and will be visible across the county, provided the skies are clear.
The Royal Astronomical Society advises that the best time to view the Perseids will be between midnight and 5.30am.
Read more
Some lucky viewers might even spot a few meteors as soon as the sun sets.
The meteors are named after the constellation of Perseus, where they appear to originate.
To get the best view of the shower, stargazers should avoid artificial light, try to stay away from built-up areas, and find an unobstructed view of the sky.
Meteor showers are easy to watch and don't require any special equipment.
Although the shower will peak on the night between August 12 and 13, it will continue to be active until August 24.
The Met Office has forecast clear skies for much of Essex on Wednesday evening and into the early hours of Thursday, making for ideal viewing conditions.
Share