What is a Shooting Star?
Astronomy buffs know them well, but for amateur stargazers, the Perseids are shooting stars that cross the skies between late July and the third week of August. Once a year, the Earth passes through the orbit of comet Swift-Tuttle, whose tail is full of specks of dust. These bits of space debris speed through our atmosphere at some 60 km/s, producing the spectacular natural fireworks that can be seen on clear, dark nights. Under ideal conditions you can spot up to 70 meteors an hour – fewer near urban areas.
Showers of shooting stars usually take their names from the
part of the sky (i.e. the constellation) where the meteors appear to originate.
That's where the famous Perseids get their name-they seem to come from the constellation
Perseus.
Observation tips
Source : Montreal Planetarium
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