Point Pelee holding Perseid meteor shower watch party overnight Wednesday

In this 30 second camera exposure, a meteor streaks across the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower, Aug. 11, 2021, in Spruce Knob, W.Va. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)

Stargazers will have a chance to take in one of the year’s most anticipated meteor showers as Point Pelee stays open overnight for a special Perseid Meteor Shower Watch Party.

The Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak Wednesday night, and visitors are invited to spend the evening looking for streaks of light across the night sky.

The park will remain open continuously from 6 a.m. Wednesday until 10 p.m. Thursday, allowing visitors to stay through the overnight viewing period.

Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or folding chair and settle in after sunset for the best chance to see the meteor shower.

Members and volunteers with the Windsor Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will also be at the park with telescopes on the West Beach after sunset.

The telescopes will give visitors an opportunity to view a variety of celestial objects while learning more about the night sky from members of the local astronomy club.

The Perseids are known for producing bright meteors, often referred to as “shooting stars,” as debris from a comet burns up in Earth’s atmosphere.

The annual event offers an opportunity for families, astronomy enthusiasts and anyone curious about the night sky to experience the meteor shower together.

Visitors planning to attend are encouraged to dress for the weather and give their eyes time to adjust to the darkness for the best possible viewing experience.