The best meteor shower of the year brought with it stunning fireballs and bright trails of dust that illuminated the night sky this week. Millions of people around the world marveled as the Perseids meteor shower peaked Tuesday and Wednesday — a spectacular conclusion to a summer filled with cosmic phenomena that included a once-in-a-lifetime comet.
The annual meteor shower is popular for bringing up to 100 meteors per hour, bright tails of color and explosive fireballs. The stunning meteors are leftover particles from the comet Swift-Tuttle, which last passed through the inner solar system in 1992.
Astrophotographers around the world are sharing their best photos of the celestial event. But, it's not too late to check out the meteor shower for yourself — Perseids is active through August 24.
A Perseid meteor streaks across the sky over the ancient city of Blaundus in Usak, Turkey on August 13, 2020.
Alibey Aydin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
England
A meteor during the Perseid meteor shower seen over Happisburgh lighthouse in Norfolk, England.
Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images
Spain
A meteor crossing the night sky over the Milky way in a sunflower field in Brihuega, Guadalajara, Spain on August 12, 2020.
Marcos del Mazo/LightRocket via Getty Images
A Perseid meteor streaks across the sky above a camping site at the Negev desert near the city of Mitzpe Ramon, Israel on August 11, 2020.
MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images
