Big Meteor Shower Is About to Peak

One of the best meteor showers of the year peaks Monday night into Tuesday morning. The Perseids are back to put on their annual August show, though a nearly full moon might cut down on the number of shooting stars visible, reports Accuweather. Sky watchers will have the best luck from 10pm Monday and on into the wee hours, notes the Washington Post. There's no great trick to seeing the Perseids—just look up, though you may want to look away from the moon to the darkest part of the sky.

“Up to 100 meteors per hour will occur during the peak,” per AccuWeather astronomy blogger Dave Samuhel. “Perseids are not only numerous, they are beautiful," he adds. "Most of the meteors leave a glittering trail as they pass.” Of course, that's in an ideal year and at an ideal location—the moon and cloudy skies may take a toll this year. Still, Monday night is merely the peak of the shower. The Perseids should continue to produce shooting stars over the next few nights. (More Perseids stories.)