There is a chance of a meteorite storm when it draws near Earth tonight. Astronomers are excited about the potential of a swarm of new shooting stars.
skywatchers are advised to watch the constellation Hercules tonight for signs of pieces of 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3. The show may be high up in the atmosphere if the shards come to Earth just right.
NASA says it is important to keep your expectations open.
The most optimistic predictions back then said that there could be up to 1,000 meteors per hour. NASA encourages people to channel their inner scientists, and look beyond the headlines, to make sure they are prepared for their night out under the stars.
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If you can't see the event in person, you can watch it online with a livestream from the Virtual Telescope Project.
Dates and viewing advice are included in the guide.
The debris traveling at the right speed and whether the Earth passes through the thickest part of the debris stream are some of the keys to success for this shower.
The agency said that the footage from the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope suggests that some fragments were moving fast enough in 2009.
NASA warned that even if the meteorites hit our atmosphere, the Herculids will produce a faint show. In an agency post, NASA astronomer Bill Cooke called the potential shower all or nothing.
While there will be a new moon that allows for the best seeing, and Hercules will be high in the sky and away from the thick atmosphere on the horizon, the agency emphasized there are no guarantees.
Take into account your local weather forecast. The National Weather Service said on Sunday that there should be clear skies between San Francisco and Portland.
A complete cloud cover map showing clear skies for most of the US was included by independent meteorologist Mark Molnar.
The peak time to watch is on the east or west coast. Bring a lawn chair, move away from artificial lights as much as possible, and give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness. If you must use a flashlight or phone, make sure to use a red filter.
The agency suggests that people look to the constellation Boötes, a little north-northwest of its bright star Arcturus, to see shooting stars.
If the Herculids don't end up happening as planned, don't worry, they happen a lot. August is a good month to bet on as the best events of the year are in August. You can plan your next excursion by consulting our upcoming meteor showers.
If you want to photograph the Herculid meteor shower or want to prepare your gear for the next skywatching event, check out our best cameras for Astrophotography. For more helpful tips to plan out your photo session, read our guide on how to photograph meteors and meteor showers.
If you take a picture of the Herculids meteor shower and would like to share it with Space.com's readers, send your photo, comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.
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