The night sky was lit up by a spectacular show of shooting stars as the Perseid meteor shower reached its peak on August 12 and 13. The annual event, which occurs when the Earth passes through the debris of comet Swift-Tuttle, was visible from many parts of the world, including the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
The Perseids are one of the most prolific and best-known of the meteor showers and can be seen in late July and throughout August each year. They are named after the constellation Perseus, where they appear to originate from. This year, the shower was especially impressive because of the dark sky due to a new moon, which made the meteors more visible and spectacular.
Some of the best photos of the shower were taken from Croatia, Hungary, Greece, Spain, Iran, China, and the US . The images captured the bright streaks of light and color as the meteors burned up in the atmosphere. Some of them also showed the Milky Way galaxy and other celestial objects in the background.
The Perseids are also known for their fireballs — larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak. This is because fireballs originate from larger particles of cometary material. According to NASA, an average Perseid meteor is about the size of a sand grain, while a fireball is about the size of a marble or larger.
The Perseids are one of the most popular meteor showers because they deliver consistently bright meteors every year. They are also visible in both hemispheres, which means people around the world can enjoy them. Deborah Byrd, editor-in-chief of EarthSky.org, said: “The Perseids are a great opportunity to see a spectacular show in the sky, especially for those who have never seen a meteor shower before. They are easy to spot with the naked eye, and you don’t need any special equipment to enjoy them”.
Bill Cooke, lead of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office, said: “The Perseids are a reminder of the beauty and wonder of our universe. They are a chance to connect with nature and with our ancestors who have observed them for thousands of years. They are also a source of inspiration and awe for astronomers and stargazers alike”.
Jamie Carter, science writer and author, said: “The Perseids are one of the highlights of the astronomical calendar. They are not only stunning to watch, but also scientifically important. They help us learn more about comets, meteors, and the origin of life on Earth”.
The next major meteor shower will be the Geminids in December, which are expected to produce up to 120 meteors per hour at their peak. However, they will face some competition from the full moon, which will reduce their visibility. Until then, stargazers can look forward to more minor showers such as the Orionids in October and the Leonids in November.
Relevant articles:
– Annual Perseid meteor shower lights up skies around the world, Al Jazeera， August 14, 2023
– In Photos: Spectacular Images Of ‘Shooting Stars’ As Perseids Peak, Forbes， August 14, 2023
– The best photos of the Perseid meteor shower from around the world, ABC News， August 14, 2023
– Pictures from the stunning Perseid meteor shower this week, MSN， August 14, 2023