The Perseid meteor shower is supposed to be phenomenal this year. The small, new moon is well-timed to improve stargazing. And Central Oregon has ample open spaces with unobstructed views of dark skies.

The Perseid meteor shower ignites our skies around the same time every August. Monday is the expected peak of fireball action, although stars will shootfor many days on either side of the apex.

It’s already begun.

What are the Perseids?

Meteor showers happen when small pieces of cosmic debris enter the Earth’s atmosphere, according to the American Meteor Society’s website.

Comets leave a stream of particles behind them in their orbit. The Perseids are associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle. When the Earth’s orbit passes through the cloud of debris left behind from the Swift-Tuttle comet each August, we witness the meteor shower.

From our perspective, meteor showers appear to come from a single point in the sky. In this shower, the location is the constellation Perseus, hence the name of the annual shower.

Meteor showers happen all year long, but the Perseid shower is particularly popular because it’s in August when people are happy be outside.

This year, the waxing crescent moon will set early enough that by midnight there should be no moon, said Pine Mountain Observatory’s facilities supervisor Mark Dunaway.

“This is extremely lucky,” he said.

The best viewing is reportedly around 2 a.m., but by all accounts, the excitement starts as soon as it’s dark.

Here are a few suggestions for enjoying the Perseids this week.

From the desert

Getting a good meteor show doesn’t require a lot of planning or expense. You just need a place that offers expansive views of the horizon to the north and east, Dunaway said. He suggests driving east from Bend on U.S. Highway 20 and finding a dirt road off the highway (for instance, between Horse Ridge and Pine Mountain). Bring some reclining lawn chairs and sleeping bags, warm drinks and settle in.

Someone else recommends Bessie Butte, off China Hat Road on Forest Road 1810, just a few miles out of town.

“You want to be east of Bend so there’s no light pollution,” said Dunaway. “You want to be able to see north and east as Perseus rises.”

Dunaway concedes that the Pine Mountain Observatory is probably not the best place to view meteor showers.

“People are welcome to come up here, but it’s better to get a flat, open area without trees and mountains,” he said.

Telescopes are unnecessary for the experience. The facility is not holding any special Perseid-related events, but regular Friday and Saturday evening programs that utilize the telescopes at the observatory will run as usual (pmo-sun.uoregon.edu).

From the lakes

The Cascade lakes — especially the larger ones — offer quintessential Central Oregon viewing spots, from the shore or from a boat out on the water.

“There’s absolute wide-open skies up there,” said Dave Nissen, president of Wanderlust Tours in Bend. “You might not get a 180-degree view, but you’ll get a 170-degree view. It’s really so spectacular on the lake, the stillness, the quiet, the darkness. No human lights to disturb our view.”

For those who don’t have the gear or the gumption to go boating alone, Wanderlust Tours offers Starlight Canoe tours nightly during the summer and from 7 to 11 p.m. during the Perseids. The groups pull ashore to enjoy treats and hear stories about the stars from guides.

At the height of the Perseids, one may see up to 60 meteors per hour, Nissen noted.

“That’s one a minute!” he said. “On a normal night … people are stoked if they see one shooting start each night. We’ll see 60 an hour, and we’re on the lake for two hours.”

The tours to Sparks, Elk and Hosmer lakes cost $65 per person, which includes transportation from Bend, all necessary gear, a tour guide, dessert and hot cocoa. Book as soon as possible; tours fill up fast. Wanderlust Tours, 541-389-8359, www.wanderlusttours.com.

For a party

For those who want to watch the stars in style, Brasada Ranch is hosting a “Stardust and Moonshine” celebration on the expansive lawn by the Range Restaurant and Bar on Monday, the predicted climax of the showers, said Jack Newkirk, director of experiences for Northview Hotel Group, which owns Eagle Crest and Brasada Ranch resorts.

“Invariably, people are blown away by how clear and dark the sky is out here. It makes the sky seem closer out there and a little bit bigger,” Newkirk said. “For our guests to be able to lie out on the lawn of a five-star restaurant and watch the sky get illuminated, it’s breathtaking.”

Brasada runs an ongoing astronomy program, so the ranch can provide two telescopes and will have astronomers on hand to share information with guests. Viewing starts around 9 p.m. on the lawn and is open to the public at no cost. Dinner at the restaurant prior to the stargazing is optional.

“This year is supposed to be phenomenal,” Newkirk said.

Brasada Ranch is located northeast of Bend, between the Bend Airport and Powell Butte. For directions: www.brasada.com/directions.php or 541-526-6865. The Range Restaurant and Bar: 866-373-4882.

For some knowledge

The Oregon Observatory at Sunriver is open as usual during the Perseids, and educational programs will emphasize the topics of meteorites and meteor showers, said Bob Grossfeld, the observatory manager.

Staff will give talks on meteorite activity and discuss how showers happen.

“We’ll pass around meteorites that create the showers. We’ll have a display open during the day at the center of meteorites, the largest display of meteorites between San Francisco and Seattle that’s open to the public.”

“We have dark, clear skies,” he said. “People can (lie) on the benches and watch the showers after the observatory is closed.”

Night viewing programs are available from 9 to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, $6 for adults, $4 for kids ages 2-12. For information or directions to the observatory, www.oregonobservatory.org, www.sunrivernaturecenter.org, or 541-598-4406.