A spectacular meteor shower was captured on camera in West Virginia on August 3, 2025, by NASA photographer Bill Ingalls. The event was part of the Perseid and Alpha Capricornids meteor showers, which occur when Earth passes through clouds of debris left behind by comets.
The debris collides with Earth’s atmosphere at high speeds, burning up to create streaks of light that appear as shooting stars. This phenomenon is known as a meteor shower. The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most active and well-known showers, caused by debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle. In contrast, the Alpha Capricornids meteor shower produces slower-moving meteors.
Ingalls captured the image at Spruce Knob in West Virginia, a remote location with minimal light pollution. This made it an ideal spot for stargazers to witness the meteor showers. The brief overlap period between the two showers resulted in a unique opportunity for photographers and skywatchers alike.
The combined effect of these two meteor showers created a breathtaking night sky display that showcases the beauty of celestial events.
Source: https://www.space.com/stargazing/meteor-lights-up-west-virginia-night-sky-space-photo-of-the-day-for-august-6-2025