Perseid Meteor Shower Viewing Peaks This Weekend

Sky watchers should plan to stay up late - or get up early - for the peak of the Perseid meteor this weekend.

Saturday night through Sunday morning hold the best potential for meteor viewing, according to News On 6 meteorologist Dick Faurot.

Perseid rates of more than 30 an hour have been reported worldwide, and those may be tripled August 11-12 as the Earth reaches the heart of the debris zone.

Forecasters recommend looking during the dark hours before dawn Sunday morning for the highest level of activity. They can be seen almost anywhere but are most likely to be in the northern sky with the constellation Perseus.

Each year in August, the Earth passes through a cloud of the comet Swift-Tuttle's debris, according to NASA. The bits of ice and dust burn up in the Earth's atmosphere to create one of the best meteor showers of the year.

Learn more about the Perseid meteor shower.