Shooting Stars in August: The Perseid Meteor Shower!
It happens every August: the Perseid meteor shower! Of course, you may not realize the Perseid meteor shower is happening, because you’re probably asleep. But if you crawl out of bed in the wee dark hours of mid-August, you might spot bright streaks of light racing across the sky.
Those bright streaks are meteors. And on a clear night with little light pollution, we may get a chance to see them when the Earth passes through a trail of dust and tiny bits of rock left behind by the Swift-Tuttle comet.
As those little pieces of debris enter Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up in a flash. That flash of light is what we call a meteor.
Some people call meteors “shooting stars” or “falling stars.” However, they’re not really stars at all! They’re burning debris. But it’s a fun tradition to make a wish when you see a “falling star!”
Why does the Perseid meteor shower happen every August? Well, it’s because the Earth makes one trip around the Sun each year. When it does, it crosses the same dusty Swift-Tuttle comet trail at about the same time every August.
The Perseid meteor shower returns every year from mid-July through late August, with the peak usually in mid-August. The comet itself doesn’t even need to be nearby; the Earth only needs to pass through the debris stream it leaves behind.
The Difference Between a Comet and a Meteor
It helps to know the difference between a comet and a meteor. A comet is an object in space, made mostly of ice and dust. It orbits the Sun.
A meteor is the bright streak we see when a tiny piece of space debris burns in our atmosphere. The comet is the source of the debris. The meteor is the experience of light we enjoy from here on Earth when the debris burns up.
The Uncle Goose Solar System Blocks, Constellation Blocks, and Planet Blocks are companions to a conversation about the Perseid meteor showers. Children can hold planets and stars in their hands and name them. This can be a simple, tactile way to make space feel understandable and inviting.
The next time the August sky is clear, you might want to wake from slumber! Step outside and look up. You may not see a meteor every minute, but you might enjoy a moment of wonder and awe. Don’t forget to make a wish!
