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They return year after year. For many of us, they spell holidays and warm summer nights. But who — or what — are they? The Perseid meteors, of course!

Good news: the astronomical forecast for 2007 is excellent, because the famous Perseid meteor shower, which returns each summer around mid-August, takes place under perfect conditions this year. Indeed, peak activity (which occurs around 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time during the night of August 12 to 13) coincides with the New moon. That means the moon will be completely out of the way during the few nights when the Perseids are at their best. Best of all, the time of peak activity favours observers in Eastern North America, so we are in for a treat — unless the weather decides not to cooperate!

Near peak activity, one can expect to see around 30 meteors per hour from moderately dark sites. Under very dark skies, this number could easily reach 60 meteors per hour! Given this year's very favourable circumstances, it'll be worth the extra effort to get as far away from light polluted skies as possible. Note that the Perseids are more active after local midnight, because the radiant (the area of the sky, located near the constellation Perseus, from which the Perseids seem to originate) rises higher and higher in the sky.

To sum up, the best night for observing the Perseids is from August 12 to 13. The nights of August 11-12 and August 13-14 will also make very good backup choices. You may also be able to catch a few Perseids — although in lesser numbers — outside the peak period that ranges from August 11 to 14: indeed, Perseids are active from the end of July through the third week of August, but moonlight must be taken into consideration as we move away from New moon.

Have your wish-list ready, and enjoy the Perseids!