The latest shower, the Perseids, is a favorite among skywatchers. It is one of the strongest showers each year, with as many as 100 long, colorful streaks an hour. It has been active since July 17 and will continue through Aug. 23. But its peak night, when activity is forecast to be greatest, is Aug. 12-13, or Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

The best time to see the Perseid meteor shower this year will be early in the morning Wednesday, a few hours before the sun rises at 6:23 a.m., said Andrew Fraknoi, chairman emeritus of the Astronomy Department at Foothill College. You can look for them anywhere in the sky. But the view is best out in the country.

Summer's most dazzling meteor shower, the Perseids, peaks soon. This year, a bright moon will dampen viewing at the time of peak early Wednesday morning, so some experts recommend waiting a week or so to glimpse shooting stars against a darker sky.