While waiting for Comet ISON's near-Earth approach in December, spectators can witness first a stunning display coming from the 2013 Perseid meteor shower. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) describes the annual space event as the "best meteor shower of the year" and it is set to peak during the nights of August 11 and 12.

During the Perseid's peak activity, viewers can expect up to 100 meteors per hour flashing across the dark skies. The Perseid meteor shower can display as well numerous fireballs or the very vivid meteors which becomes a bonus to the already amazing night show.

The Perseid meteors appear to come from the constellation Perseus but they are actually bits and pieces from the comet Swift-Tuttle orbiting the Sun every 133 years. The Perseid meteors travel at a speed of 37 miles per second and the shower happens every year whenever Earth moves across its debris trail.

Astronomy.com reports the 2013 Perseid meteor shower will have one more bonus on its peak hours. The spectacle will take place on the night of the Moon's fading crescent phase and it means the moonlight will only block a little of the viewer's sight on the meteor display.

In another report, StarDate magazine claims the most important viewing time for the 2013 Perseid meteor shower will start after midnight. The Perseid meteors can be viewed all over the night skies but the best view can be seen from across the northern hemisphere.

Sharp viewing eyes can feast on the meteors even without the help of telescopes as they glow from the path of the constellation Perseus forming an inverted Y-shape in the northeast direction. To best view the 2013 Perseid meteor shower, sky gazers must look for a location far away from the bright city lights, don warm clothing, carry blankets, bring warm drinks and chairs or just simply lie down, stare at the sky, patiently wait and enjoy the dazzling show.

Viewers who wish to experience a different kind of sky-gazing for the 2013 Perseid meteor shower can head to Wolcott Mill Metropark's Camp Rotary in ray Township. The camp will be hosting a "Meteor Watch Event" on August 10 at 7 p.m.

The Warren Astronomical Society, associated with the Metropark interpreters, will offer as well the utilization of equipments and their volunteers' knowledge for free. The 2013 Perseid meteor shower is currently in progress and it is expected to continue and amaze viewers until August 24.

NASA