Get ready for the Perseid meteor shower this August, a yearly spectacle as Earth passes through Comet Swift-Tuttle's dust trail. The peak viewing time is overnight on August 12th into the early hours of August 13th,

The Perseid meteor shower will run from 17 July to 23 August. This year, it reaches its peak on 12 and 13 August. However, a bright, waning gibbous moon will rise before midnight, washing out most of the night sky.

As many as 100 "shooting stars" per hour can be visible, but a bright moon on the peak of the Perseids on Aug. 12 and 13 means evasive action is required.

Here’s how to see the buck moon and Perseid meteor shower in North Carolina. The buck moon will reach its peak at 4:37 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac – but with daylight still lingering, your best chance to see it clearly will be later that evening.

Folks can head to Aldergrove Regional Park from 8 to 11 p.m. on Aug. 9 and reserve a spot to watch the Perseids meteor shower.

I pick out North America’s celestial highlights for the week ahead (which also apply to mid-northern latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere).