There are a lot of good shows happening in Metro Vancouver this summer, but one of the best will be taking place Thursday and Friday nights this week in the sky.

The annual Perseid meteor shower — an event that could bring as many as 100 fireballs an hour — will reach its peak overnight Thursday.

This could be one of the best shows in years given that the shower will coincide with a new moon for the first time since 2007, resulting in a darker sky that will make the meteors even more visible.

Along with a moonless night, the weather is also expected to cooperate as clear skies and warm temperatures are in the forecast.

Tips for prime time viewing

Have we convinced you to spend some night time outdoors? Here are some tips for prime viewing:

Get as far away from city lights as possible. Squamish, B.C., Boundary Bay Regional Park and Abbotsford's McDonald Park are all well known as sky-gazing vantage points. But even if you just take half an hour in your own metro neighbourhood, you have a shot. All you need is a chair. The Perseids are best seen with the naked eye, so be prepared to let your eyes adjust for at least 20 minutes. And that means no cellphone light! Let your eyes relax and look in the direction of the constellation Perseus. You should see at least one every few minutes. The best viewing will likely occur after midnight and into the early morning hours.

Even though the peak occurs overnight Aug. 11 to Aug. 12, the meteor shower will last until Aug. 24. During this time, the Earth will be passing through the debris trail left by comet Swift-Tuttle.

As our planet moves through its dust shower, comet particles will collide with our atmosphere, burn up and create flashes of light that will be visible in skies across the Northern Hemisphere.

Happy hunting!

Send us your photos of the Perseid meteor shower at cbcnewsvancouver@cbc.ca, tweet us at @cbcnewsbc or via Facebook to CBC Vancouver.