Good news, Rhode Islanders: Not every summer event is canceled or postponed this year. Each August, the night sky lights up as the Perseid meteor shower sends dazzling shooting stars through the atmosphere. The Perseids are known for being the best and the brightest batches of shooting stars visible from Earth, and there’s no place like the Ocean State for viewing them.

The annual Perseid meteor shower is one of the most highly anticipated meteor showers of the year.

Bill Dickinson / Flickr Not only is it visually stunning, but it always peaks on warm summer nights, which makes a viewing extremely pleasant.

The meteor shower occurs when the Earth drifts through a debris cloud left behind by the giant comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.

NASA HQ PHOTO / Flickr Little pieces of cosmic debris slam into our atmosphere and burn into bright streaks (and the occasional fireball).

The Perseid shower is already happening, and it’s set to peak on August 11 and 12.

Alex Berger / Flickr And since the moon will be slightly less than half full, we should have some pretty good visibility. Considering there will be around 100 visible meteors in the sky per hour, that’s a good thing.

Interested in seeing these brilliant shooting stars? Prepare to stay up late.

Alan Newman / Flickr You’ll want to check it out as late in the evening as possible, but still before moonrise. On the East Coast, this means the action will pick up between 11 p.m. and midnight.

Of course, here in Rhode Island, we can always head to the Frosty Drew Observatory.

Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre / Facebook This year, their annual event will be August 12 from 8:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. Bring your own blankets, lawn chairs, binoculars, and telescopes — and remember to practice social distancing.

Even if you miss the shower on its peak nights, you can still see meteors in the sky for another week or two.

Channone Arif / Flickr That being said, we highly recommend heading outside on its peak nights to make the most of this incredible phenomenon.

Do you have plans to see the Perseids this year?

Bill Dickinson / Flickr

Not only is it visually stunning, but it always peaks on warm summer nights, which makes a viewing extremely pleasant.

NASA HQ PHOTO / Flickr

Little pieces of cosmic debris slam into our atmosphere and burn into bright streaks (and the occasional fireball).

Alex Berger / Flickr

And since the moon will be slightly less than half full, we should have some pretty good visibility. Considering there will be around 100 visible meteors in the sky per hour, that’s a good thing.

Alan Newman / Flickr

You’ll want to check it out as late in the evening as possible, but still before moonrise. On the East Coast, this means the action will pick up between 11 p.m. and midnight.

Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre / Facebook

This year, their annual event will be August 12 from 8:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. Bring your own blankets, lawn chairs, binoculars, and telescopes — and remember to practice social distancing.

Channone Arif / Flickr

That being said, we highly recommend heading outside on its peak nights to make the most of this incredible phenomenon.

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Address: Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center, Ninigret Park, 62 Park Ln, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA