2026 August 15
Bright Perseids from Sweden Image Credit & Copyright: P-M HedĂŠn (Clear Skies, TWAN)
Explanation: Known for its bright and fast meteors, the annual Perseid Meteor Shower comes to planet Earthâs skies from a radiant in the heroic constellation Perseus. The popular northern summer celestial spectacle is created as grains of dust cast off along the orbit of periodic comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle vaporize in Earthâs dense atmosphere, tracing brief, but beautiful streaks through the night. Taken near the showerâs peak of activity on August 12, this composite image recorded two bright perseid meteors and one meteorâs watery reflection from a location near the coastal village of Grisslehamn, Sweden. Almost as bright as Altair, brightest star on the scene, the meteors appear along with the faint, diffuse background of the Milky Way. This year, the showerâs peak activity coincided with a New Moon, so perseid meteor flashes were undiminished by bright moonlight. And for many skywatchers, this night of bright perseid meteors followed their viewing of the silhouette of the New Moon in a much anticipated solar eclipse.
â Source: apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260815.html
