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Buseck Center for Meteorite Studies

Perseid Meteor Shower!

The Perseid meteor shower is at its peak August 11 to 13, so make sure to take in the show! 

The yearly Perseid meteor shower is the result of Earth's orbit intersecting the debris tail of Comet Swift-Tuttle.  The meteors are the result of small debris particles burning up as they enter Earth's atmosphere, and do not produce meteorites.  For more information on meteors vs meteorites, click here!

A compilation of events seen during the peak of the 2010 Perseid meteor shower on Aug. 13, 2010, over Huntsville, Ala. (NASA/MSFC/D. Moser, NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office)
A compilation of events seen during the peak of the 2010 Perseid meteor shower on Aug. 13, 2010, over Huntsville, Ala. (NASA/MSFC/D. Moser, NASA NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office)

For further information on the Perseids, including viewing tips, details on Comet Swift-Tuttle, and live streaming of the meteor shower, click on the links below!  Happy stargazing!

NASA JPL

NASA

American Meteor Society

Space.com