(See Perseid pictures: "Meteor Shower Dazzles Every August.")

"The peak of the shower starts at about 11:30 p.m. local time on October 20th, just as the moon is setting, and should be strongest just before dawn," said Anthony Cook, astronomer at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California.

Sky-watchers should also be on the lookout for fireballs—baseball- to basketball-size space rocks that create especially brilliant meteors as they burn up in Earth's atmosphere.

"These can be bright enough to cast shadows and create luminous trails that remain visible for many seconds after the meteor has disappeared," Cook said. "Even if you must make do with less-than-ideal sky conditions, the view of a swift Orionid or a bright fireball will make the watch worthwhile."

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