According to NASA, if you're going to go outside in the early morning hours to catch only one meteor shower this year, make it either the Perseids or the Geminids.
And this week is your chance to do it — if the weather cooperates.
The annual Perseid meteor shower, which began activity in July, will peak early Thursday and could feature as many as 100 meteors in an hour. According to NASA, the best watching hour is 2 a.m. MT.
The meteors will seem to originate from the constellation of Perseus, and are best viewed in the early morning hours. The moonless night will help make viewing easier, although NASA and other organizations suggest getting away from city lights in order to maximize viewing opportunities.
To prepare you for what the Perseid meteor shower can offer — or perhaps to sate your meteor thirst if you don't make it outside — here's a photographic look at past Perseid showers.