Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Perseids meteor show
Hi
Anyone see the amazing light show last night?
The Perseids happen every year in August when the Earth passes through rock and dust fragments left behind by the Comet Swift-Tuttle.
As these small particles collide with the Earth's atmosphere, they burn up, creating up 80 streaks of light an hour across the night sky.
Every year since at least AD 258, the Perseid meteor shower has been observed as Earth passes through dust and debris from the Swift-Tuttle Comet of Perseus every August. This colorful display of shooting stars begins in July, but peaks in visibility on August 11th and August 12th.
I had the pleasure of witnessing the aurora borealis some years ago too and that image has stayed with me to this day!
Labels:
aurora borealis,
comets,
meteors,
stars
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