Chinese astronomers are predicting a great celestial show on Wednesday night as the Perseid meteor shower peaks at midnight.

Astronomers say viewers will see hundreds of meteors every hour compared with ten meteors an hour normally, crienglish.com reported Wednesday.

The best place to see shooting stars in China is the northwestern area and this Wednesday night and Thursday morning will be the best time.

A thin crescent moon won't stop you seeing the shooting stars.

The Perseid meteor shower is caused by the Swift-Tuttle Comet, which orbits the sun about every 130 years.

The earth runs into a trail of debris left by the comet around this date every year.

Astronomers say the earth will run into more debris than usual this year, left behind by the comet more than a century ago.

Astronomers suggest getting as far away from the city lights as possible to watch the shooting stars.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2004)