Perseid meteor shower, Cottonwood Canyon State Park, Oregon
© Joshua Meador/Tandem Stills + Motio
Look up, incoming…. Perseid meteor shower
What must our ancestors have thought when watching the night sky turn into a rushing river of silent, luminous meteors? Was it terrifying or an event of wonder? Thankfully, we now know that the overhead light show seen here is a benign annual event known as the Perseid meteor shower. Also known as the Perseids, this celestial cascade thrills stargazers every year from mid-July to late August, with the shower's peak happening today. The Perseids are caused by Earth passing through debris left behind by the Comet Swift-Tuttle. When the cosmic debris hits our atmosphere, it disintegrates into a colourful, fiery light display that many enjoy. Oh, and do try to catch the Perseids tonight—the moon is projected to only be 10% illuminated.
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