What must our ancestors have thought when they saw meteors light up the night sky? Was it terrifying or an event of wonder? Thankfully, we now know that this celestial cascade is a harmless annual event. The Perseid meteor shower thrills stargazers from mid-July to late August and is due to peak today. The Perseids are caused by Earth passing through debris left behind by the Comet Swift-Tuttle. When the cosmic debris hits our atmosphere, it disintegrates in a colorful, fiery light display. It"s a good night to catch the Perseids if you can—the moon is projected to only be 10% illuminated, so the meteors should really stand out against the dark sky.
Perseid meteor shower over Oregon
Today in History
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The Vestibule at Diocletian s Palace, Split, Croatia
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An inland ocean
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National Trails Day
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Labor Day
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Room at the top?
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Sea fireflies at the seashore
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Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
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The puffin-rabbit connection
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Celebrating National Panda Day
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Grand Teton National Park
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Wild turkeys in repose
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A glittering diamond in the rough
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A long path to freedom
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American bison
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International Museum Day
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National Aviation Day
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Lionfish off the coast of Indonesia
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Autumn in Piedmont
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International Day of Peace
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National Napping Day
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Harvest time in the Palouse
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Mossy Grotto Falls, Oregon
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Celebrating the UN’s International Day of Families
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The Big Blue of the Sierra
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Look to the north sky tonight for the Perseids
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Loud waters
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Seven Magic Mountains art installation, Jean Dry Lake, Nevada
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An emerald isle of the Emerald Isle
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Groundhog Day
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Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park, California