Perseid meteor shower, Cottonwood Canyon State Park, Oregon

Perseid meteor shower, Oregon, USA

What did our ancestors think 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. 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.