Since many of you will already be out tonight at Fort Reno or Screen on the Green, go ahead and tilt your head upwards to catch an even more spectacular show. The Perseid meteor shower has actually been appearing for a couple weeks already, as debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle burns up as it enters Earth's atmosphere, but tonight is special as it reaches its annual peak.

The best part about meteor showers is that you can get a decent view from just about anywhere. Face northeast, towards the constellation Perseus (showers are named for the constellation they seem to "originate" from, though you can often see them all over the sky), and get comfortable. Don't use a telescope or binoculars, just lay down on a blanket or reclining chair -- to save your neck -- and watch the rocks and dust explode. The predicted exact moment of the peak, where we might see 90 to 100 meteors an hour, won't happen until a few hours after the sun rises tomorrow morning in D.C., unfortunately, but you should be able to see some decent activity through most of the night. Your best view will start after 1 a.m., when the moon sets, allowing you to see much fainter meteors.

Of course, the darker sky the better, so the further you get from the city lights, the more shooting stars you'll be able to count. Last time this stargazer trekked out, I went to Sky Meadows State Park in Paris, Va. (where the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum held a star party). Heading out to a state park will certainly give you an amazing view, but it being a Monday, we recommend just enjoying this nice summer night from your own backyard or roofdeck, popping open a beer, and seeing how many wishes you can make.

Image of the early evening sky by philliefan99