When is Perseid meteor shower and will it be visible in Iowa?

One of the richest and steadiest meteor showers will fly over the night sky of Iowa this month.

The Perseid meteor shower will light up the night during the second weekend of August. The meteors are colorful and leave "persistent trains" making the shower quite the show, according to Earthsky . The shower happens every year when the Earth passes through the Persid cloud, a stream of debris around the Swift–Tuttle comet.

Here's what you should know about the upcoming meteor shower.

When is the Perseid meteor shower?

The shower started July 14 and runs until Sept. 1, however, there are certain times when it is most visible. From Sunday evening Aug. 11 to Monday morning Aug. 12 is the peak time for Perseid.

The best time to look for the shower will be around midnight to dawn.

Where can you see Perseid meteor shower?

The shower slowly rises to a peak and then falls rapidly, according to Earthsky . Under a dark sky with no moon, viewers could see 90 meteors per hour or more, according to Earthsky . During the peak viewing times, there is expected to be a dark sky until dawn because the first quarter moon is set around midnight .

Tips to see Perseid meteor shower

Head to a rural area or anywhere that is as dark as possible to decrease the chances of light pollution. Perseid meteors will be visible from all portions of the sky regardless of the time of night, according to American Meteor Society .

Experts recommend aiming the center of your view about half-way up in the darkest direction away from lights or obstacles. Avoid looking straight up because activity tends to be visible at lower elevations, the American Meteor Society says.

What is the weather forecast for Perseid meteor shower in Iowa?

Sunday night could hinder the visibility of Perseids in Des Moines. There is a 30% chance of showers after 1 a.m. and possibly cloudy skies, according to the National Weather Service's seven-day forecast as of Wednesday.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17 .

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: When is Perseid meteor shower and will it be visible in Iowa?