One of the year's most spectacular celestial displays is set to peak this week, offering East Texans a front row seat to a dark sky light show.

The Perseid meteor shower, an annual summer event known for its bright, fast moving meteors and occasional "fireballs," will reach its peak late Wednesday night, Aug. 12, into the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 13, according to the American Meteor Society.

Astronomers project that skywatchers under ideal conditions can expect to see an average of 40 to 50 meteors per hour during the peak.