Sat Jul 19 01:50:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Perseid meteor shower, considered the best of the year, is an annual event occurring from mid-July to late August, peaking around mid-August. Known for bright, swift meteors with long, colorful wakes, and occasional fireballs, it can produce 50-100 meteors per hour under dark skies. The Perseids originate from debris from the Comet Swift-Tuttle. Best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere in the pre-dawn hours, find the constellation Perseus, lie flat away from light pollution, and allow 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust. The peak this year is expected around August 12th.

**News Article:**

**Perseid Meteor Shower, the Year’s Best, Set to Light Up Night Skies**

Get ready for a celestial show! The Perseid meteor shower, hailed by astronomers as the most spectacular of the year, is now underway and expected to peak around August 12th. This annual event, visible from about July 17th to August 23rd, promises dazzling streaks of light and color across the night sky.

Known for their speed and brightness, Perseid meteors often leave long, luminous trails. NASA also notes the presence of fireballs – larger, more intense explosions of light caused by larger pieces of cometary debris entering Earth’s atmosphere. Under optimal, dark-sky conditions, viewers can expect to see between 50 and 100 meteors per hour.

The Perseids originate from debris shed by the massive Comet Swift-Tuttle as it orbits the sun every 133 years. This comet, estimated to be twice the size of the object believed to have led to the extinction of dinosaurs, last visited the inner solar system in 1992.

For the best viewing experience, NASA recommends finding a location away from city lights and lying flat on your back. Look towards the constellation Perseus in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in the pre-dawn hours, as that is where the meteors will seem to originate. Allow about 30 minutes for your eyes to fully adjust to the darkness.

Don’t miss this chance to witness the Perseid meteor shower, a stunning display of cosmic fireworks!

Read More