( CNN ) -- There 's still time to charge that laptop and brew some coffee before the Perseid meteor shower peaks predawn Friday . OK , it 's easy to understand why the coffee will come in handy during the long watch overnight . But the laptop ? Meteor gazers can join a NASA live chat with astronomer Bill Cooke . The Marshall Space Flight Center astronomer will answer questions beginning around 11 p.m. Eastern Time Thursday . NASA also is broadcasting live the hums of the meteors as they whiz by . With a waxing crescent moon expected to set beforehand , and hence less moonlight in the way , forecasters are expecting one of the best celestial shows of the year , weather in your neighborhood permitting . With good viewing conditions , stargazers might be able to catch at least 40 meteors per hour , Space.com said . `` The August Perseids are among the strongest of the readily observed annual meteor showers , and at maximum activity nominally yields 90 to 100 meteors per hour , '' Space.com columnist Joe Rao said in his column . `` Anyone in a city or near bright suburban lights will see far fewer . '' NASA advises viewers that `` the Perseids shower will begin around 10 p.m . YOUR local time . However , the best times to view are after midnight and before dawn , with the best activity around 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. local time . Best conditions are a clear , dark sky away from city lights . Go outside and look straight up at the sky . '' The Perseids can be seen all over the sky , but the best viewing opportunities will be across the Northern Hemisphere . Those with sharp eyes will see that the meteors radiate from the direction of the constellation Perseus . The Perseids have been observed for at least 2,000 years and are associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle , which orbits the sun once every 133 years , NASA says . Each year in August , the Earth passes through a cloud of the comet 's debris . These bits of ice and dust burn up in the Earth 's atmosphere to create one of the best meteor showers of the year .
Perseid meteor shower begins early Friday morning . NASA scientists host live web ##cast during the show . Best weather is in Northern California . The Perseids have been observed for at least 2,000 years .