The Perseid meteor shower will start at the end of this weekend and go through mid-week. The peak rate is Tuesday morning (Aug. 12), when close to 90 shooting stars per hour may be seen before dawn lights up the sky. On Monday's dawn and Wednesday's as well, the rate will be down to half that. The Moon will be bright each night until it sets in the 2 - 4 am range over this event. The best bet may be to get up early and try to see some Perseids before the sky begins to brighten visibly about 5:20.
The graphic at left (from Bill Pitzer at the Charlotte Observer), shows the radiant point in the constellation of Perseus. It is shown in a larger context below with constellation names, and the scenario is shown separately with names of stars (to keep it uncluttered).
If you stay up for the meteors, which will pick up in rate after midnight each night, you can catch a fine view of Jupiter, the brightest thing in the sky other than the Moon, somewhat low in the south (see graphic below). Binoculars or a small telescope will reveal up to four of its bright Galilean moons.
