The conditions are practically perfect. For most people, this evening offers the best chance in a lifetime to see an almost total solar eclipse – with the added bonus of meteor showers.Across the country, from about 6.15pm, the moon will gradually slide across the face of the sun until it covers up to 96 per cent.The precise moment this begins, and how complete the darkness will be, depends on where you are (see below), but everywhere can expect at least a 90 per cent blackout.This coincides with the peak of the annual Perseids meteor shower, when thousands of space rocks burn up in Earth's atmosphere as our planet passes through a belt of debris from comets.To make this all the more spectacular, clear skies are expected across most of the country. Even in cities, there ought to be comparatively little light pollution in early evening, though inevitably many street lights will come on automatically. Out in the countryside, the skies will be magnificently dark.Scotland will see the effect soonest, with the eclipse reaching its maximum at 7.05pm in Edinburgh and Glasgow. In Cornwall, at Truro, that moment will come 11 minutes later. But it doesn't last long, with the darkness beginning to lift just two minutes after it reaches its most intense. Across the country, from about 6.15pm, the moon will gradually slide across the face of the sun until it covers up to 96 per cent