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 in a colourful, fiery light display that many enjoy. Oh, and do make an effort to catch the Perseids tonight—the moon is projected to only be 10% illuminated.