(NASA) The attention of the world will be riveted on the heavens this week as the last total solar eclipse of the 20th century takes place on August 11. However, for most skywatchers outside the path of totality, the best sky show won't occur until a day and a half later, on Thursday, August 12, and Friday, August 13. That's when the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak with 50 to 150 shooting stars per hour.

In recent years the spectacular Leonid meteors have attracted considerable attention, but historically the Perseids are the best known of all meteor showers. It rarely fails to provide a pleasing display and, because of its summertime appearance, it tends to attract many astronomy novices.

This year should be a good one for viewing Perseids. The shower's maximum takes place on August 12, 1999, under dark skies just one day after the new moon. Although the Perseids officially begin in late July, the shower builds rather slowly in intensity until there is a series of sharp peaks in activity near mid-August.