The most popular meteor shower of the year is the Perseid shower. The most spectacular light show can be seen with clear skies.
The peak of the shower can be seen by American spectators, according to the AMS. Due to the full moon illuminating the sky, the Perseids won't be as spectacular as they were in 2011.
There are quick facts about the meteorite shower.
The dates are July 14 to August 24.
August 12th is the peak.
The comet is of the Swift-Tuttle type.
The zenithal hourly rate is 100.
In an hour of peak activity with a clear, dark sky and the radiant at the zenith, a single observer could see as many as 100 meteors per hour.
The peak of the Swift-Tuttle shower occurs when Earth passes through the densest, dustiest part of the country. You'll see the most meteorites in the shortest amount of time. The rate of meteors can be between 150 and 200 an hour in a year when there is no moon.
There are dates and viewing advice in the guide.
You can share your photos with us.
Let us know if you take a picture of the shower. Images and comments can be sent to space photos@space.com.
NASA says you can see up to 100 meteors per hour at the peak of the shower.
Last year, the moon was a thin crescent and didn't obscure the view of the shower, but it's still a concern for sky watchers. Even though the moon is bright, it can be hard to see. The full moon will affect the peak of the Perseid.
The comet Swift-Tuttle causes this spectacle. Swift-Tuttle is the largest object known to pass by Earth many times. The last time it passed near Earth was in 1992 and will happen again in 21 26.
Earth passes through dust and debris every year so it won't be forgotten.
As comet debris enters the atmosphere and burns up in a bright burst of light, you can see it streak across the sky as it travels at 37 miles per second.
The best place to view the shower is in the Northern Hemisphere and down to the mid-Southern latitudes.
It is a good idea to look for the point in the sky where the shower appears to originate. The Perseid's radiant is in the constellation. It's not easy to find Perseus, but it's close to the constellation Cassiopeia. The constellation that the shower is named from is not the source of the meteorites.
Lean back and enjoy the view of the Perseids. The secret is to take in as much sky as possible and allow about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark.
If you're interested in learning more about how to photograph the Persied meteor shower, check out our how to photograph meteors and meteor showers guide.
In the pre-dawn hours, there are the best times to look for meteorites. Between August 11 and August 12 there will be a peak in the number of shooting stars. The Persieds will be active from July to August.
The best time to view the sky is on the peak days. Look up and to the north for the meteorites. People in the south can see more meteors.
The southern Delta Aquariid meteor shower, which peaks in late July, could cause some stray meteors to be seen by sky watchers. The southern Delta Aquariid can be seen in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.
If you're interested in learning more about this fascinating topic, check out the informative image entry by the European Space Agency. The National Schools Observatory has a great overview of the shower and how to spot it. NASA has a nice introduction to meteor showers for kids.
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