The Perseids, widely considered the best meteor shower of the year, is about to begin its annual display. These fast, bright streaks appear in the night sky as the Earth passes through the debris trail left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle. The meteor shower peaks in mid-August and can produce up to 100 meteors per hour under a dark sky.
The Perseids are known for their fireballs, which are larger explosions of light and color that persist longer than average meteors. These events occur when particles from the comet’s nucleus collide with Earth’s atmosphere. The meteor shower’s best viewing hours are usually in the pre-dawn hours, but viewers can spot it throughout the night sky.
To witness this spectacle, find the constellation Perseus, where the radiant of the Perseids appears to originate. Lie flat on your back in a region away from light pollution, and wait for about 30 minutes after sunset when your eyes adjust to the dark. This year’s peak is expected around August 12.
The Perseid meteor shower originates from a comet that orbits the sun every 133 years. The comet’s debris trail forms a path of fire and color in the sky as it collides with Earth’s atmosphere. With optimal viewing conditions, the Perseids can be an awe-inspiring sight, producing some of the most spectacular annual displays of meteors.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/perseids-considered-best-meteor-shower-year-begin/story?id=123739964