Stargazers around the world can see one of the best space shows of the year this week. The famous Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak on Wednesday night.
People who look up at the night sky might see more than 100 shooting stars every hour. This year, viewing conditions are especially good because there is a new moon. Without bright moonlight, the dark sky will make it much easier to spot the streaks of light.
The Perseid meteors come from dust and small rocks left behind by a giant comet named Swift-Tuttle. Every year in August, Earth travels through this trail of space debris. When the rocks enter Earth's atmosphere, they burn up quickly and create bright flashes across the sky.
The best time to watch the meteor shower is between midnight and dawn on August 12 and August 13. Astronomers suggest going to a dark location away from city lights. Giving your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness will help you see more meteors in the night sky.