Perseid Meteor Shower To Light Up Night Sky

Relatively clear skies and a new moon are creating good night sky conditions to view the annual Perseid meteor shower.

Astronomer Jackie Faherty, with the American Museum of Natural History, said sightings will peak between midnight Wednesday into daybreak Thursday, as the earth passes through the densest part of comet Swift-Tuttle's tail.

And the new moon means there will be less light to wash out the show.

"The moon is your enemy during a meteor shower," she said. "This particular meteor shower, we have no moon to block out our beautiful sighting of meteors, so we're in good shape."

Faherty said any time after sunset is a good time to start searching for meteors, although the early morning hours on Thursday could provide a window to see up to one or two meteors per minute.

Faherty recommends finding a dark place, like Central Park, away from bright lights — including personal devices like your cell phone.