? Cosmic show of the year

[phkrause]

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

The Perseid meteor shower peaks on Saturday night into the hours of Sunday morning, Axios space expert Miriam Kramer writes. Why it matters: It's sure to be one of the best cosmic shows of the year — with somewhere between 40 and 50 visible meteors per hour if you're away from city lights. ? Miriam's meteor shower tips: You don't need telescopes or binoculars. You just need a comfy place to lie down and look up under dark skies. Experts say meteor watchers should put their phones away. Looking at the bright screen can ruin night vision. When picking a spot to watch the shower, lie down facing away from the Moon as that can wash out the sky. ? Although it's best (and worth the trip) to get away from city lights to see the Perseids, you can expect to catch at least a few in light-polluted areas. If you are city-bound, get somewhere with the widest view of the sky possible and settle in for a long wait. Keep reading ...