Where, when, how to watch 2018 Perseid meteor shower over Arizona The Perseid meteor shower peaks Saturday night through Monday morning, Aug. 11-13.

Anne Ryman | The Republic | azcentral.com

One of the year's best meteor showers peaks this weekend and should be visible over Arizona, provided monsoon storms don't spoil the view.

The Perseid meteor shower is known for producing bright and fast meteors of between 60 to 70 per hour at the peak. It's popular with viewers because mild weather makes it easier to stay outside for long periods than meteor showers in the colder winter months.

Here are the best viewing times and where to look, according to two Arizona astronomers — Adam Block, who works at Steward Observatory in the University of Arizona's Department of Astronomy, and Arizona State University Professor Patrick Young with the School of Earth and Space Exploration.

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When

The meteor shower peaks Saturday evening through Monday morning. But you should also be able to spot meteors in the nights and early mornings leading up to the peak.

A new moon means the skies will be dark for viewing, increasing the chances of seeing more meteors, according to NASA. Best viewing is after 1 a.m., Block said.

5 tips to view a meteor shower Here are five ways to view a meteor shower or other celestial event near you.

Where to view

The Perseids appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, which is in the northern sky, Block said. But meteors streak across the sky so you don't need to concentrate on just one part of the sky.

"You can look anywhere in the sky to see them. It's just that they will appear to originate from that northeast direction," Block said.

Get out of the city, if possible, or find a dark spot away from street lights and house lights. Avoid buildings and trees that block your view.

Perseid meteor shower will be this summer's best light show The Perseids delight stargazers every year, but this year's meteor shower might be one of the best.

How to view

Meteors appear and disappear quickly. Your eyes are the best equipment. No telescopes or binoculars are necessary. For the best results, plan to spend at least a hour looking, Young said.

Why the shower happens

The Perseid meteor shower happens each year in mid-August when the Earth passes through debris trails from the Comet Swift-Tuttle. The debris hits the Earth's atmosphere and disintegrates, producing fiery streaks in the sky, according to NASA. The Perseids are also known for producing fireballs, which are larger explosions of light.

Mars is the closest to Earth it's been in 15 years The red planet will appear bigger and brighter as it makes its closest approach to Earth since 2003.

And a bonus

As you are looking for meteors, you should be able to spot Mars near the southern hemisphere, glowing orange. Mars is making a close approach to Earth and won't be this close again for another two years.

Reach the reporter at 602-444-8072 or anne.ryman@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter at @anneryman.

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