Perseids coming

This year is expected to produce an above average number of "shooting stars" that could offer a rewarding experience to skywatchers around the globe.

There's just one problem: A bright moon will drown out fainter meteors.

The moon will be at last quarter the night of Aug. 13 and it will be at a rather bright waning gibbous phase a night or two earlier, seriously hampering observation of the peak of the Perseids, predicted to occur late on the nights of Aug. 11 and 12…

The Perseids are already around, having been active only in a very weak and scattered form since around July 17, as is typically the case for this annual shower.

But a noticeable upswing in Perseid activity traditionally begins during the second week of August, leading up to their peak. They are typically fast, bright and occasionally leave persistent trains. And every once in a while, a Perseid fireball will blaze forth, bright enough to be quite spectacular and more than capable to attract attention even in bright moonlight.

Photo credit: APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day)