The Long Journey of a Perseid Meteor

Every August, the night sky lights up with the Perseid meteor shower. These shooting stars have an incredible story that begins billions of miles away and thousands of years ago. The Perseids come from Comet Swift-Tuttle. As this comet travels through space, it leaves behind a trail of dust and tiny rocks. Earth passes through this debris field every year. When these small particles enter our atmosphere at high speed, they burn up and create bright streaks of light. We call these meteors, or shooting stars. A single Perseid meteor might start its journey from the outer solar system. The dust grains are often left by the comet during its many trips around the sun. Some of these particles have been drifting through space for thousands of years before meeting Earth. The best time to watch the Perseids is during their peak in mid-August. In a dark sky, you can see up to 60 or more meteors per hour. They appear to come from the constellation Perseus, which gives the shower its name. This year's show promises to be a good one. No special equipment is needed—just a clear night, a comfortable chair, and patience. Each streak of light is a tiny piece of an ancient comet ending its long journey in a brief, brilliant flash.