Amazing Perseid comet shower lights up night skies (PHOTOS)
This year’s dazzling light show in space, courtesy of the Perseid meteor shower, has lit up the skies. Many a barbecue was had and tents set up under the night sky to enjoy the display.
This time around, the Swift-Tuttle comet was really allowed to shine, thanks to the weather. The new moon gave us perfect viewing conditions, owing to the extra dark skies. Internet users from near and far posted spectacular photos of the event that comes but once a year, every August.
This was massive and red!! #perseids all my best shots have been with my south facing camera, btw. pic.twitter.com/LZpZlfH14u
— Neil Zeller (@Neil_Zee) August 13, 2015A lot more stars than usual were visible.
@capitalweather Just took this pic in Acadia. Breathtaking experience. #Perseidspic.twitter.com/AWGLLvzs2J
— Jackson (@jackdaryl) August 13, 2015This included fireballs, which are larger and brighter, with longer traces, originating from bigger particles of material.
Another really bright streak in tonight's #Perseids shower. Join us http://t.co/HwLWl9MzT3 for live commentary pic.twitter.com/uY5oG1jtH9
— NASA Marshall News (@NASA_Marshall) August 13, 2015Some great composite shots were had in the extra bright sky.
A composite of the #Perseids I caught with the camera before the cloud rolled in. @VirtualAstro#northumberlandpic.twitter.com/ATilMdNO16
— Andy Gray (@andrewsgray) August 13, 2015Stargazers in the United States got an especially good show from countryside locations, away from the glare of city lights.
The best time to head for open spaces with clear skies was after midnight on both Tuesday and Wednesday nights, experts said.
The meteor shower, named for the constellation Perseus, was first observed by Chinese astronomers in 36 AD, according to ancient records.
