We are getting very near the peak of August?s famous Perseid meteor shower. Meanwhile, the moon is waxing quite large and bright in the sky. In 2011, full moon will come on August 13, a peak morning for the Perseids. But ? between now and then ? we have a window for watching meteors in a dark sky after midnight and before dawn. The Perseids will rise gradually to their August 13 peak. Between August 5 and August 13, the meteors will be flying. EarthSky recommends watching before dawn until the morning of August 10 to have moonless skies. Before dawn is the best time of night for watching meteors, anyway, since that is when the radiant point for the Perseids is highest in the sky. Bright moonlight will drown all but the brightest meteors from view on the mornings of August 12 and 13 ? the peak mornings for the Perseid meteor shower. Still, many report the thrill of seeing a bright meteor streaking along in the light of the moon. So, on the peak nights for the August 2011 Perseids, enjoy the moon and watch for the really bright meteors streaking along in its glare.
http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essent...r-shower-guide