Head out to the beach tonight for some Perseid meteor, planetary gazing

Flickr user edwardshepard

The beaches at night this time of year are amazing and worth visiting on their own right thanks in large part to just how bright the stars are when you get from city lights.

But tonight, August 12, is making that pot all the sweeter as we're to have a good Perseid meteor shower show in the wee hours of the morning, Friday, August 13, from about 2 to 4 a.m.

If you can't make it out that late though, fret not as those that go out around dusk will be able to see Mars, Venus, and Saturn move above the crescent moon.

Look for most of the Perseids in the northeast, and check out the video up top for an excellent primer on what, when, and where. MSNBC also has an excellent primer to tonight's show.

There will also be a public chat from 3-4 p.m. today over at NASA about the event.