Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks Tonight

It should be a great show this year

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 7, 2012 12:40 PM CDT
Updated Aug 11, 2012 8:26 AM CDT

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Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks This Weekend — In this Aug. 12, 1997 file picture, a bright Perseid Meteor cuts across Orion's Belt during the peak of the annual Perseid Meteor Shower seen from Joshua Tree National Park, Calif. (AP Photo/Wally Pacholka, File)

It's time for the annual Perseid meteor shower, and this year's will be especially good. A waning crescent moon means that the moon won't block viewing, and the peak is on tonight—so go ahead and stay up late to watch. Between midnight and dawn, about 80 "shooting stars" per hour are expected, Red Orbit reports. Plus, just before dawn, you'll be able to see Jupiter and Venus. For the best viewing, head somewhere with dark skies. But if you can't get away, just be patient while watching—sometimes 10 minutes will go by with no meteors, then a bunch will show up at once. (More Perseids stories.)

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