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This article was first published 12 years ago

PIX: Perseid meteor shower puts on a dazzling light show

Last updated on: August 15, 2012 09:20 IST

Image: A long exposure shows stars behind a tree during the annual Perseid meteor shower near the southern town of Mitzpe Ramon
Photographs: Amir Cohen/Reuters

The annual Perseid meteor shower lit up the night sky providing a dazzling light show for stargazers. The Perseid meteor shower has been observed for about 2000 years. 

The shower is visible from mid-July each year, with the peak in activity being between August 9 and 14, depending on the particular location of the stream.

During the peak, the rate of meteors reaches 60 or more per hour. They can be seen all across the sky, but because of the path of Swift-Tuttle's orbit, Perseids are primarily visible in the northern.

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PIX: Perseid meteor shower puts on a dazzling light show


Photographs: Jon Nazca/Reuters

A man (bottom) and a woman observe meteors streaking past stars and the moon with a telescope in the night sky over El Torcal nature park reserve in the southern Spanish town of Antequera, near Malaga.

The Perseid meteor shower is sparked every August when the Earth passes through a stream of space debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle.

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PIX: Perseid meteor shower puts on a dazzling light show


Photographs: Amir Cohen/Reuters

People watch the annual Perseid meteor shower in the southern town of Mitzpe Ramon.

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PIX: Perseid meteor shower puts on a dazzling light show


Photographs: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

A meteor (top, R) streaks past stars in the night sky above medieval tombstones in Radmilje near Stolac.

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PIX: Perseid meteor shower puts on a dazzling light show


Photographs: Jon Nazca/Reuters

People wake up after observing meteors streaking past stars in the night sky over El Torcal nature park reserve in the southern Spanish town of Antequera.

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PIX: Perseid meteor shower puts on a dazzling light show


Photographs: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

A meteor (top C) streaks past stars in the night sky above medieval tombstones in Radmilje near Stolac.

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PIX: Perseid meteor shower puts on a dazzling light show


Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

A meteor (top) streaks past stars in the night sky above Lake Geneva and the Mont-Blanc, at the Mont-Tendre near Montricher in the Jura, north of Geneva.

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PIX: Perseid meteor shower puts on a dazzling light show


Photographs: Denis Balibouse/Reuters

A meteor (top, R) streaks past stars in the night sky above Lake Geneva and the Mont-Blancl, at the Mont-Tendre near Montricher in the Jura, north of Geneva.

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