The Perseids at peak times may have 50 to 75 falling stars per hour. And they can be seen best with clear dark skies. Weather conditions may hide the comets behind clouds. And this year smoke from the massive fires in California and the Pacific Northwest could also present a problem.
Stargazers can check the latest upcoming weather forecasts for their area at weather.gov.
Background Perseid meteor shower
These meteors are called Perseids since the radiant (the area where the meteors originate) is located near what appears to be the origin constellation, Perseus, the hero.
By tracing the Perseid meteors backward, astronomers believe they come from the constellation Perseus. The primary source is the Double Cluster within the heart of Perseus. In ancient Greek mythology, Perseus is the son of the god Zeus. And his mother was from Earth, the mortal Danaë.
The legend is that the Perseid shower commemorates the time when Zeus went to Danaë to shower her in gold. And the star legend is that the meteors are a reflection of love, inspiration, and conception.
