Set the alarm for nature's fireworks

Hopefully you are reading this before going night-night.

'Cause you wouldn't want to miss the big show early tomorrow morning.

The annual Perseid meteor showers - known in the astronomy world as "Nature's Fireworks" - peak at about 1:30 Tuesday morning. Yeah, I know that's way far to early to watch a few shooting stars. But it's only once a year.

And this year's Perseids have been forecast to be anything other than a typical meteor shower.

From peak to about 4 a.m., astronomers are predicting anywhere from 60 to 90 meteors an hour. Of course, these things aren't really meteors. They're just dust- to pea-sized particles left in earth's way by the comet Swift-Tuttle. When the particles get caught in Earth's gravity, they zip towards land and burn up. The bigger ones sometimes result in bright flashes.

And they can be awesome!

Tonight's moon is about three-fourths full and its bright light is supposed to dip past the horizon and out of sight a little before 2 Tuesday morning. As its light dulls, the skies will get darker, making it easier to see the showers. Some will be bright enough to see even before the moon sets.

The Perseids have been visible for a couple of nights and will continue to make themselves available through about Friday. But Tuesday morning is supposed to be incredible.

If you decide to get up, go outside to an area where it's darkest. If you live in the country, you really are in for a treat. Look north, then slightly towards east, where the constellation Perseus will sit at about 30 to 40 degrees above the horizon. Then watch. Streaking light will catch your eye quickly. Many of these showers will last for a second or two - some longer and ending in bursts of light.

Unfortunately, as I am writing this at a little past 8 Monday night, clouds have thickened and are blocking much of the sky. The forecast is for a partly couldy night.

So keep your fingers crossed.

And set your alarm for one of the most amazing things you ever will see.

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