By Jason Benavides — The astronomer inside all of us has a reason to be excited as celestial fireworks are primed for quite a display tonight.

The Perseids meteor shower is active from July 17 through Aug. 24, with the best display expected tonight, August 12-13, as the new moon makes for a dark sky and provides an excellent chance to see the meteors at their brightest.

Courtesy www.starwalk.space.com

The meteors can appear anywhere in the night sky, but looking Northeast toward the constellation Perseus can help you trace where they originate, hence the name Perseids. The best viewing time is from late night through the predawn hours.

Tips to watch the Perseids

• Find a place away from city lights. Consider driving to the mountains, where haze and clouds may be below the observer.
• Give the event at least an hour to see as many meteors as possible. Predictions range from 30 to 60 meteors per hour.
• Take five- to 10-minute breaks to stay focused and give your eyes a rest.
• Use a reclining chair, cot or mat with a pillow to avoid straining your neck.
• Don’t make a fire or turn on bright flashlights. Bring a flashlight with a red light if necessary.

All this and a solar eclipse, too?

Not to be outdone by the Perseids, this year’s only total solar eclipse also occurs today, but only a fraction of the world will witness it in totality. The path of totality crosses eastern Greenland, western Iceland and northern Spain.

There’s a chance for skywatchers in North Carolina to catch a glimpse of a partial solar eclipse in the afternoon, between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., but keep expectations low. Less than 2% of the sun will be covered, according to Timeanddate.com.

Certified eclipse glasses should always be worn when looking directly at the sun.