CBC has some information on how to maximize your chances of seeing falling stars during the Perseid meteor shower over the next few nights.
- Go someplace dark [a real problem for us urban dwellers].
- Try to catch the peak [roughly 4am on August 13th].
- Watch after midnight [may be possible for those who are nightowls or who wake during the night].
- Look to the Northeast [oops. our entire building faces WSW.]
- Be patient.
Also, see this.
Despite the fact that the odds are stacked against us, several years ago Ms. Eclectic and I sat on the balcony for a couple of hours one evening, and we both saw several shooting stars. I was thrilled because I had never seen any before.
So maybe if it isn't cloudy, rainy, or too cold on the night of the 12th, I'll consider sleeping on the balcony.