Stargazers Have Another Chance To Watch Perseid Meteor Shower Tonight

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - New Yorkers looked to the heavens last night to watch the "supermoon," but another celestial spectacle continues Monday night.

The Perseid meteor shower continues Monday and Tuesday. And it's being joined by the Delta Aquarid meteor shower.

EarthSky.org says stargazers can expect 50 to 100 meteors per hour at the peak of the Perseids.

However, it may be tough to spot the streaking meteorites, since the waning gibbous moon will still be high and bright in the sky.

The best time to watch is late night until dawn. As CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan reported, beaches are the perfect viewing spot as overhead lights are at a minimum creating a perfect darkened backdrop to view the wonders of the universe.

"The combination of the meteor shower and the supermoon really is a great excuse for people to get out and enjoy the nighttime sky," explained David Bush, Vanderbilt Planetarium.

Once the sun sets, the supermoon will still be visible, but right on its heels a meteor shower will be raining down.

"They are not actually stars. They are chunks of dust that come from a debris tail left by a comet many years ago," Bush explained.

For some great spots to watch on Long Island, click here.

For more information on the Perseid meteor shower, click here.

If you snap some great shots of the meteor shower, share them with us on our Facebook page.

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