As one of the most anticipated “celestial events” in August, the Perseid meteor shower is about to rock the sky in the coming days.

The meteor shower is expected to reach its peak on Wednesday, with about 110 meteors shooting through the night sky every hour, according to China’s astronomical forecasts.

Sky-watchers will be able to see long, glowing and persistent trails left by these meteors traveling at nearly 40 miles per second.

Meet the Perseid meteor shower

The Perseid, Quadrangular and Geminid meteor showers are the best in the Northern Hemisphere thanks to their brightness and high meteor rates.

The Perseid meteor shower’s name comes from the location of it radiant – the point where it appears to originate from – the constellation Perseus, according to NASA. In Greek mythology, Perseus was a hero who defeated Medusa.

What causes the Perseid meteor shower?

NASA scientists explained that it is caused by debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle. Every 133 years, the huge comet swings through the inner solar system and ejects a trail of dust and gravel along its orbit.

When Earth passes through this trail, debris hits the atmosphere at 140,000 mph and disintegrates in flashes of light.

When to watch

Generally speaking, meteors from the Perseids are visible from the middle of July to late August every year.

According to Li Meichun, vice president of the Astronomical Society of Tianjin, the shower this year will peak – showcasing the highest number of meteors – during the late evening hours of August 12 and early morning hours of August 13, Beijing Time.

How to watch

NASA scientists advised that the best time to spot the dazzling meteor show will be during the darkest part of the night and in the early hours before dawn.

Although the moon is in its last quarter phase, which may mar the sky show a bit this year, it will still have about 52 percent illumination, bringing the expected number of meteors visible down from more than 60 per hour to about 15 to 20 per hour, according to NASA.

It’s not difficult to see the meteor shower as long as you find a space with less shielding and less light pollution, Li said. No special equipment is needed.

“Just wait patiently and with a little luck, looking up at the sky with a wide view, then you will catch the moment when a shooting star streaks across the sky.”