Perseid meteors over Teide Observatory, Tenerife, Spain

Make a wish. Perseid meteor shower over Tenerife, Spain

Not every summer tradition happens on the ground. Some take place hundreds of kilometres overhead, one meteor at a time. The Perseids return every year from mid-July through late August, usually peaking around August 12–13. Visible across much of the world, they can produce dozens of meteors per hour under dark, clear skies. Each streak is a tiny fragment of debris left behind by Comet Swift–Tuttle as Earth moves through its dust trail, appearing to radiate from the constellation Perseus. In Canada, dark-sky destinations such as Jasper National Park in Alberta and Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve in Ontario are among the best places to enjoy the annual display.

Today's image shows the shower above Teide Observatory in Tenerife, Spain. Perched about 2,390 metres above sea level, the observatory benefits from thin air and minimal light pollution. Some Perseid meteors leave glowing trails that linger for several seconds, rewarding patient skywatchers with an unforgettable celestial show.