New Zealanders under clear skies tonight could glimpse a meteor shower.

The rare display will be visible between 8pm and midnight, as the debris field intercepts Earth's orbit.

Auckland University physics professor Richard Easther says it's the first appearance from this particular shower.

"There are some meteor showers that happen every year, but this one is new- and it's associated with a comet. So we're getting some insight into how these little icy snowballs work."

Easther says Kiwis will be able to see the shower if they look to the north west sky.

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