The Perseid meteor shower, one of the best meteor showers of the year, is going to peak this week. And the shooting stars should be visible in the Boston area and around Massachusetts. The Perseid meteor shower has a terrific history complete with some amazing shows. There have been years when as many as 100 meteors per hour were clearly visible.

The Perseid meteor shower takes place each year as Earth travels through the debris shed by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.

Every year in August, the Earth sails through a dusty debris left behind by comet Swift-Tuttle, creating the spectacular Perseid meteor shower. Here's how and when to watch this cosmic display.