Among Stars

Image: The Perseids meteor shower

I hope you catch diamonds scattering across the sky tonight. The Perseids meteor shower is happening tonight August 12 and tomorrow August 13.

The annual Perseids shower sparkles every August, when Earth passes through scattered pieces of rock and dirt left behind in the comet Swift-Tuttle's orbit around the Sun. As these particles collide with Earth's atmosphere, they burn-up as streaks of shimmering lights, scattered like floating diamonds in the dark night sky.

This year's Perseids are slated to be a spectacular show, with clear skies and a 2-day old sliver New Moon making for dim moonlight and optimal observing conditions.

If you're lucky enough to get away from bright city lights, you could see as many as 75-108 meteors an hour.

Brilliant.