SPARKS TO FLY IN NIGHT SKY.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

Fireballs will fly across the heavens early Friday during the Perseid meteor shower, one of the most dazzling astronomical events of the year.

And veteran stargazer Tony Cook will crane his neck - in a northeasterly direction - to greet it.

``Even if I can't drive out to dark skies, I always get up to watch these meteors,'' said Cook, an astronomical observer at the Griffith Observatory.

``Some are fireballs bright enough to cast shadows on the ground, like fireworks, which increase in velocity toward dawn.''

The Perseid meteor shower has wowed night owls for eons.

Also known as ``The tears of St. Lawrence'' after a Christian saint reportedly martyred by Romans over a red-hot iron stove, the meteors radiate out of the constellation Perseus each August.

This year, the Perseid meteors can best be seen looking northeast under moonless skies before dawn Friday - and to a lesser extent Saturday - from a lounge chair or sleeping bag.

Under the light-filled canopy of Los Angeles, viewers can expect to see 10 fiery meteors an hour.

But the real magic will occur under blackened skies over nearby mountains or deserts, where a barrage of meteors is expected to ignite the Milky Way with a meteor a minute once the moon sets, from about 11 p.m. until dawn.

``Every minute is exciting,'' said Bob Alborzian, 60, of Burbank, a member of the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers board who has observed the Perseids for decades. ``These objects live billions and billions of years. In comparison, we're insignificant.''

To best see the Perseids, observers recommend some of the following locations:

--For lesser views. Mount Wilson off Highway 2 in the San Gabriel Mountains north of La Caada Flintridge.

--For clearer views, camp areas at Pyramid Lake, north of Los Angeles on Interstate 5, or the parking area for Mount Pinos in the Los Padres National Forest are favorite sites for amateur astronomers.

--Desert views are accessible off Highway 14 in the Antelope Valley, west on Avenue L or H.

--The Antelope Valley Astronomy Club will host a Perseid star party in conjunction with Mojave Desert State Parks, with free slide shows and viewing at 9 p.m. Friday at SaddleBack Butte State Park. Bring blanket and lounge chair. Call [phone], or contact www.calparksmojave.com.

--The Ventura County Astronomical Society will host a Perseid meteor shower party at 10 p.m. Friday at Charles Temple Observatory, Moorpark College. Bring blanket and lounge chair. Call [phone].

Dana Bartholomew, [phone]

dana.bartholomew(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) Bob Alborzian and George Willis set up telescopes Wednesday in Burbank to allow passers-by a glimpse of the sky.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer