Hundreds of colorful fireballs could blast across the skies of Colorado with the annual Perseids meteor shower of 2021 reaching its peak Wednesday evening.

The annual Perseids meteor shower will reach its peak late evening through dawn from Wednesday, August 11 through Friday, August 13 with up to 100 shooting stars visible across the night sky per hour each night.

The Perseids are active every year from around July 14 to August 24, according to NASA. Known for their fireball activity, the summer meteor shower is one of the most spectacular stargazing events of the year.

The fireballs produce larger explosions of light and color that can last longer than an average meteor streak, according to NASA. They are also brighter.

Conditions are expected to be ideal this year as shooting stars streak across the sky at around 37 miles per second. 

“2021 is a great year for the Perseids,” Earthsky.org writes. “The waxing crescent moon will set at early evening, providing dark skies.”

According to AccuWeather, the best viewing conditions for the upcoming peak are expected across parts of the Southwest and South-Central US. Viewing conditions are forecasted to be fair in Colorado, but the wildfire smoke could interfere with the display.

According to American Meteor Shower (AMS), the Perseids meteor shower is caused by particles released by the 109P/Swift-Tuttle Comet.

Find a place without much light pollution and give your eyes time to adjust – anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes. 

The Perseid meteor shower in August 13, 2018. Photo Credit: bjdlzx (iStock).

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