For those who love to marvel at the summer night sky, August is a special time to watch the mesmerizing meteor show the Perseids. This annual meteor shower peaks on August 11-12, when observers can see 50 to 100 bright meteors per hour.

The first harbingers of the Perseids appear around July 25, but their greatest number can be observed in the second week of August, until August 18. Meteors are usually best seen in the second half of the night, as Earth looks at the meteor shower from the front.

The second half of the year sees more meteor activity on Earth. In addition to the Perseids, less intense meteor showers can be observed in July and August. From late July to the third week of August, meteors from the constellations Capricornus, Delta Aquarids, Southern Pisces, Alpha Capricornus, Iota Aquarids and Kappa Cygnidis can be seen.

Meteors occur when meteors enter the Earth’s atmosphere at high speeds. These meteors enter the Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of between 11 and 72 kilometers per second, causing a brief bright flash in the sky that can be seen as a “shooting star.” To get the most out of watching a meteor shower, it is recommended that you find a location with clear skies and as little light pollution as possible.