The Perseids Are Coming

The annual Perseid meteor shower is set to peak on Tuesday, Aug. 12, (you can watch any day before or after the 12th, which is Chelsea's birthday!) after the moon sets in the wee hours of the morning. The best time to view the meteor shower will be between 4 and 5 a.m., according the American Meteor Society. You can actually see meteors (or shooting stars, as some refer to them) any night of the week when you have a clear sky. The Perseids and other meteor showers just guarantee that you WILL see one or more while you are looking.

Meteor showers are best viewed with the naked (oh!) eye. Telescopes and binoculars don't aid in viewing as meteors move too swiftly.

Get away from city lights. While in a dark location you should be able to see 2 or 3 meteors every minute.

Get comfortable! Bring a lounge chair and a blanket and recline with your feet facing due south.

The Perseids should appear to be coming over your left shoulder.

Meteors occur when the Earth cuts through the dirty old paths of comets. The specks strike our planet's atmosphere and burn up, creating brilliant streaks of light. Most importantly, enjoy our beautiful night sky!