The Perseids peak on the night of Aug. 11-12, boasting up to 75 meteors per hour. Here's what you need to know:
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What are the Perseids?
The Perseids are dust and debris from the Comet Swift-Tuttle, AccuWeather explains.
"Perseids are not only numerous, they are beautiful. Most of the meteors leave a glittering trail as they pass," AccuWeather Astronomy Blogger Dave Samuhel said. "They are multi-colored and many are bright."
The meteor shower is widely considered the best of the year due to its high rates and pleasant late-summer temperatures, according to NASA.
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When are the Perseids in 2020?
The Perseid Meteor Shower will peak overnight on Tuesday night.
The best time to view is between 11 p.m. Tuesday and 1 a.m. Wednesday. That's the darkest time of the night before the moon rises.
For those with earlier bedtimes, a few shooting stars will be visible around 9 p.m. local time.
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How do I watch the Perseids?
The Perseids can be seen with the naked eye. Meteors will be visible all over the sky, so don't worry about looking in a specific direction, according to NASA.
If weather conditions are not favorable in your area, NASA will stream the shower on Facebook live from Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
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Here are a few of AccuWeather's tips for watching:
- Check the latest forecast. If patchy clouds are expected, prepare to be patient and wait for breaks.
- Find an area with low light pollution. If you live in a city, consider traveling to an area with less light.
- Lie on your back and watch the whole sky.
- Avoid looking at your phone and other light sources. Look for the darkest area of the sky. Keep the moon out of your line of sight as best you can.