Meteor Showers - Page 12

Meteor showers are celestial events during which numerous meteors are observed to radiate from a specific point in the night sky, known as the radiant. These phenomena occur when Earth passes through the debris left behind by comets or asteroids. As these tiny particles enter the Earth's atmosphere at high speeds, they burn up upon entry, producing bright streaks of light, commonly referred to as "shooting stars." Meteor showers are typically periodic and can vary in intensity, with some events producing dozens or even hundreds of meteors per hour. Each meteor shower is associated with a particular comet; for example, the Perseids are linked to Comet Swift-Tuttle. Meteor showers are best viewed in dark skies, away from city lights, during the peak times of the event, which can last from a few hours to several days.