Stargazers everywhere are preparing for a beautiful showcase, as the 2014 Leonid Meteor Shower approaches.

If forecasts stand correct, the meteor shower will peak on Monday afternoon for those in the eastern U.S. time zone, according to Scientific American. The best time to catch a glimpse of this brilliant display will be between midnight and dawn of Monday and Tuesday morning.

This year's meteor shower will be of a smaller scale, as the Leonidswill be weak, Space.com reports. If you intend to try and see a few meteors, expect long stretches of time without a sighting.

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"Widespread cloud cover across the eastern third of the U.S. will make it difficult to see the meteor showerMondaybefore dawn, except perhaps in central and south Florida. Skies should be much clearerTuesdaymorning, though it may take until late at night for New England to clear out, and there will be clouds in south Florida and in the lake-effect snow belts of the Great Lakes.Clear skies will be the rule across the central and western U.S. both mornings, with only a few minor exceptions," weather.com Digital MeteorologistNickWiltgenforecasted.

The waning-crescent moon will increase chances of a better view of the spectacle, according to NASA. This type of moon will create skies that are dark enough to view the meteors, which are characteristicallybright and colorful.

NASA meteor expert Bill Cook told Space.com the shower should produce between 10-15 meteors per hour for those watching the skies, Scientific American noted. Cook is the head of the Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

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Cook suggests choosing a viewing location that is away from city lights, NASA's blog notes. There will also be opportunities to view the shower online via NASA and Slooh.com.

NASA says the Leonidsoriginate from a point in the constellation Leo and are debris from the Comet Tempel-Tuttle.

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