When it comes to meteor showers, the Perseids pop. It's not just about the quantity of meteors (as many as 100 per hour) and their showy quality but also their superb timing.

Be sure to turn your eyes to the night sky, as brief flashes of light will streak through outer space on Tuesday night.

Two meteor showers —the Alpha Capricornids and Southern Delta Aquariids — reach their peaks this week. Here’s how to observe these celestial events.