Where to watch this year's Perseids meteor shower | News

Clear skies are expected for the upcoming Perseids meteor showers. The night sky show is expected to peak on Saturday night through early Sunday morning. You could see as many as 100 meteors per hour.

If you’re looking for somewhere to view the action, the Spokane Astronomical Society recommends their Fish Trap viewing party on August 11. The location is 33 miles southwest of Spokane and is far enough away to eliminate light pollution.

Society member Jerry Eber recommends visitors show up before dark so any developed night vision is not ruined by vehicle headlights. 

If you go, bring something warm to wear because temperatures will be in the low 60s. You should also bring a nice lawn chair to stay comfortable. The society will have telescopes on site for viewing.

If you can’t make it to their Fish Trap location, Eber also recommends the middle of Franklin Park and Cannon Park for viewing, but your backyard should suffice as long as you find the darkest spot possible.

The meteors are from the comet Swift-Tuttle which orbits the sun once every 133 years. The meteors you see are ice and dust that burn through the Earth’s atmosphere.

The best viewing opportunities are in the northern hemisphere facing the northeast.

Chat: A live audio/video feed will be embedded on NASA's website from a camera mounted on the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The camera turns on at night and you should be able to see some meteors. You can also chat with meteor experts during the shower peak starting at 11 p.m. on Saturday.