You may have recently heard in the news about a must-see celestial event this summer: the Perseid meteor shower, one of the most spectacular sights in the night sky. But what exactly are the Perseids, and where do they come from?
The Persids Metor Shower. Source: Nasa
The Perseid meteor shower occurs annually between July and August, and its origin lies with the Swift-Tuttle comet, discovered in 1862. This comet has a lengthy orbital period of 133 years. As it approaches the Sun, it sheds a trail of debris, composed mostly of tiny dust and ice particles.
These particles, known as "meteoroids," remain in the comet’s orbit. Each year, as Earth’s orbit intersects with this trail of debris, the meteoroids enter our atmosphere. Upon entry, they burn up due to friction with the air, creating the brilliant streaks of light we call meteors.
The Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus because the point in the sky from which the meteors appear to radiate, known as the "radiant," is located within this constellation. Though these meteors are remnants of the Swift-Tuttle comet, their dazzling display as seen from Earth creates a visual connection to Perseus.
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