Is there a meteor shower tonight? When and where to watch shooting stars this week

If you've looked up at the night sky recently, you've likely noticed it's getting busier.

Three meteor showers are active at the same time right now, bringing the chance to spot shooting stars and even a few bright fireballs before the popular Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak next month.

The annual Perseids are now active and will continue through late August, while the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids are also producing meteors across the night sky. Together, they could give skywatchers multiple chances to catch streaks of light overhead during the coming nights.

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Here's what to know about the meteor showers active now, including when they'll peak and the best time to watch.

Meteor shower tonight? Can you see shooting stars tonight?

Yes.

The Perseid meteor shower is currently active and occasional meteors can be seen on any clear night. The number of meteors typically increases as Earth moves deeper into the stream of debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle.

At the same time, both the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids are active and approaching their annual peaks, giving skywatchers even more opportunities to spot shooting stars and bright fireballs.

What time is the meteor shower tonight?

The best time to watch meteor showers is generally between midnight and dawn.

That's when the side of Earth you're standing on rotates into the stream of incoming meteoroids, increasing the chances of seeing shooting stars. The hours just before sunrise often provide the best viewing conditions.

No telescope or binoculars are needed. In fact, you'll want the widest view of the sky possible.

When is the Perseid meteor shower?

The Perseid meteor shower is active now through Aug. 24 and will peak on the night of Aug. 12-13. During peak activity, skywatchers under dark skies could see dozens of meteors per hour.

This year's peak is expected to occur under exceptionally dark skies because it coincides with a new moon, creating some of the best viewing conditions in years.

When are the Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids?

The Southern Delta Aquariids are active through late August and are expected to peak around July 30, producing roughly 10 to 20 meteors per hour under ideal conditions.

The Alpha Capricornids also peak around July 30. While they don't produce large numbers of meteors, they are known for their bright fireballs, which can be particularly impressive.

Where can you see the meteor shower?

Meteor showers can be seen throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York, as well as across much of the Northern Hemisphere.

For the best viewing experience:

• Get away from city lights.
• Find a dark location with a wide view of the sky.
• Allow your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
• Put away your phone and avoid bright lights.
• Look overhead and be patient.

Meteor showers don't require any special equipment. The most important ingredients are dark skies and time.

What is tonight's moon phase?

The moon is moving toward its July full moon, known as the "Buck Moon", which reaches full illumination on July 29.

As the moon grows brighter, it can make fainter meteors harder to see, though brighter shooting stars and fireballs can still break through the moonlight. The best Perseid viewing is still expected during the Aug. 12-13 peak under a new moon.

Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist covering trending and breaking topics across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions for the USA TODAY Network.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Is there a meteor shower tonight? When and where to watch shooting stars this week