Credit & Copyright: P-M Hedцn
(Clear Skies,
TWAN)
Explanation:
Known for its bright and fast meteors, the annual
Perseid Meteor Shower
comes to
planet Earth's skies from
a radiant in the heroic constellation Perseus.
The popular northern summer celestial spectacle is created
as grains of dust cast off
along the orbit
of periodic comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle
vaporize
in Earth's dense atmosphere, tracing brief, but beautiful
streaks through the night.
Taken near the shower's peak of activity
on August 12, this composite image
recorded two bright perseid meteors and one meteor's
watery reflection from a location
near the coastal village of Grisslehamn, Sweden.
Almost as bright as Altair, brightest star on the scene,
the meteors appear along with the faint, diffuse
background of the Milky Way.
This year, the shower's peak activity coincided with a New Moon,
so perseid meteor flashes were undiminished by
bright moonlight.
And for many skywatchers, this night of bright perseid meteors
followed their viewing
of the silhouette of the New Moon
in a much anticipated
solar eclipse.
Growing Gallery: Solar Eclipse of 2026 August 12
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Январь Февраль Март Апрель Май Июнь Июль Август Сентябрь Октябрь Ноябрь Декабрь |
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
