Natural History Wanderings

Updated August 11, 2010

The Perseid Meteor Shower peaks on August 12, 2010.   The Perseid meteor shower is created by the dust particles from the Swift-Tuttle Comet, which passes through our solar system once every hundred thirty years.  The Earth

Perseid Meteor Shower from NASA

goes through the dust trail every August as we orbit the sun.  The dust particles are no larger than a grain of sandy and burn up as they come into the Earth’s atmosphere at about 132, 000 miles per hour.   For more information on watching Meteor Showers go to 2010 Meteor Showers and Viewing Tips Hopefully, you can find some where dark without lights and clear skies to view it.  Those of us in the very foggy Bay may have to get out-of-town if we hope to see it.

If you are interested in photographing the Perseid Meteor Shower, the Photonaturalist site has suggestions and links.

Also the Top Ten Places to View the Perseid on Jerry Garret’s Blog.