PORTLAND (AP) - Nature is putting on its own fireworks show this summer.

The annual Perseid meteor shower will reach its peak late tonight and early Wednesday, sending bright streaks across the night sky.

A full moon will hamper viewing this year, wiping out fainter meteors, but experts say the display still should be good.

Earth is plowing through a cloud of debris shed by Comet Swift-Tuttle. The cloud is made up mostly of tiny grains called meteoroids traveling about 132,000 mph. When the particles strike Earth's upper atmosphere, air friction vaporizes them in quick, white-hot streaks.

The radiant is low in the north-northeast sky before midnight and rises in the northeast during the predawn hours.

Viewers don't need to look toward the radiant because the Perseids appear throughout the sky, but would-be meteor watchers should avoid looking toward the bright moon.

Binoculars and telescopes aren't needed to view the shower, which will last about another week. Viewers should find a dark site with a wide view of the sky and lie back on a reclining lawn chair.

To help the public view the shower and other astronomical sights, a stargazing party has been set for 9 p.m. Tuesday in Rooster Rock State Park. Telescopes will be set up for visitors, and experts will be available to answer questions.

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Eds: For more information, call the OMSI Star Party Information Line at 503-797-4610, the Rose City Astronomers Club at 503-255-2016 or Rooster Rock State Park at 503-695-2261.