The meteors are called the Perseids because they appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus, which at that time of night is low in the northern sky. The comet detritus will be positioned to “graze the upper atmosphere,” Lunsford said.

Saturday, Aug. 9. August’s moon is best known as the Sturgeon Moon, but Indigenous peoples also call it the Black Cherry Moon, Ricing Moon and Mountain Shadows Moon, according to AccuWeather. Watch it climb the southeastern sky shortly after sunset for the most dramatic view.

In this edition of WTOP’s monthly space feature, “What’s up in the sky?” Greg Redfern tells you how to see the moon, planets, stars and Perseid meteor shower.