The annual Perseid meteor shower, one of the biggest and most highly anticipated meteor showers of the year, is set to peak overnight on Saturday, August 12. This celestial event can be observed from the comfort of your own home, thanks to the Virtual Telescope Project, which will be providing a live stream of the Perseids' peak using its all-sky camera from its facility in Manciano, Italy.

The Perseids are known for producing up to 100 meteors per hour and creating bright fireballs and impressive shooting star displays. They get their name from the constellation Perseus, as the meteors appear to originate from this point in the sky. The Perseids are caused by debris left behind by the Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which Earth passes through each summer as it orbits the sun.

The Virtual Telescope Project's live stream will start at 9:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday (01:30 GMT on Sunday), coinciding with the peak of the meteor shower. You can watch the live stream on Space.com or directly on the Virtual Telescope Project's WebTV page or YouTube channel.

If you prefer to venture outside to catch a glimpse of the Perseids, the best viewing conditions will be in the Northern Hemisphere, away from light pollution and with clear skies. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the best locations for viewing will be inland, such as Mount Diablo, Fremont Peak, Mount Hamilton, and higher elevations in the North Bay.

So, whether you choose to watch the Perseids from home or venture out to a viewing spot, don't miss this spectacular display of shooting stars in the night sky.