News Excerpt:

The Perseids, known for their bright and swift meteors, will be most visible on the night of Sunday, August 11, into the early morning hours of Monday, August 12.

What is the Perseid Meteor Shower?

• The Perseid meteor shower is an annual event that occurs every August when the Earth passes through the debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle.
• As these tiny particles enter Earth's atmosphere, they burn up, creating bright streaks of light across the night sky.
• The shower is named after the constellation Perseus, from which the meteors appear to originate.

What Makes the Perseids Special?

• The Perseids are renowned for their brightness and speed.
• They can travel at speeds of up to 37 miles per second and often leave long, glowing trails of light and color.
• The shower is also known for producing fireballs, which are larger explosions of light and color that last longer than the average meteor streak.
• These fireballs are created by larger cometary particles and offer a distinct and memorable viewing experience.
• Research conducted in 2013 revealed that the Perseid meteor shower produces the highest number of fireballs compared to any other meteor shower.
• With almost no moonlight to interfere, the conditions are expected to be ideal for viewing this natural wonder.

The Origin of the Perseids

• The Perseid meteor shower originates from Comet Swift-Tuttle, a massive comet with a nucleus that spans 26 kilometers in diameter. 
• Discovered in 1862 by astronomers Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle, the comet takes 133 years to complete one orbit around the Sun. 
• The last time Swift-Tuttle passed through the inner solar system was in 1992.
• The connection between comets and meteor showers was first identified by the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli, and since then, the Perseids have been one of the most studied and anticipated meteor showers.