A full moon didn't detract from the magnificent perseid meteor shower of 2011, as sky-watchers around the world observed the meteor shower overnight on Aug. 12. The Perseid meteor shower is considered one of the best of the year
Take a look at the beautiful sights the perseid meteor showing created when it peaked this weekend.
Perseids Meteor Shower 2011ReutersA meteor streaks past stars in the night sky over the village of Kuklici, known for its hundreds of naturally formed stones which resemble human beings, near Kratovo, 80 km (49 miles) east from the capital Skopje, August 13, 2011. The Perseid meteor shower is sparked every August when the Earth passes through a stream of space debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle. Picture taken using a long exposure.REUTERS/Ognen TeofilovskiPerseids are debris created from comet Swift-Tuttle, the largest object to have repeatedly passed the earth. The size of comet Swift-Tuttle is estimated at 6 miles of 9.7 kilometers across.A man with binoculars observes the moon during the Perseid meteor shower in the night sky over El Torcal nature park reserve in the southern Spanish town of Antequera, near Malaga early August 13, 2011. The Perseid meteor shower is sparked every August when the Earth passes through a stream of space debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle. Picture taken using a long exposure.REUTERS/Jon NazcaHalley's Comet is not scheduled to return for viewing until the year 2061.REUTERS/Jon NazcaIf you think Perseids are slowpokes, you’re wrong. These little specks travel at the speed of up to 133,200 mph (60 kilometers per second) - - relative to the planet. They come in the size of sand grains. But there are some as big as peas and Most are the size of sand grains; a few are as big as peas or marbles.An ibex is silhouetted during sunrise after the Perseid meteor shower in the night sky over El Torcal nature park reserve in the southern Spanish town of Antequera, near Malaga early August 13, 2011. The Perseid meteor shower is sparked every August when the Earth passes through a stream of space debris left by comet Swift-Tuttle.REUTERS/Jon NazcaAn astronomer, Brian Marsden predicted that Swift-Tuttle would hit Earth in one of its future passes. Though there were studies and observations debunking Marsden’s predictions, the near-miss coming has not died down and the astronomer has reiterated that a “cosmic near-miss collision” should be expected in 3044.Skywatcher Carolyne Jackson of Woking, Surrey in England snapped this amazing photo of a Perseid meteor from her backyard during the peak of the 2011 Perseid meteor shower on Aug. 12, 2011.Space.com via Carolyne Jackson
The air fronting Perseid specks entering the atmosphere compresses, causing the particle to heat up. This meteor - - the particles are termed as when they enter the space - - could be heated to as much as 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,650 Celsius). When the compressed particle heats up at a high intensity level, this then result in meteors to vaporize, that create shooting stars which can be visible at up to more than 60 miles or 97 kilometers.Skywatcher and photographer Nick Rose snapped this stunning view of a Perseid meteor from Millbrae, Calif., on Aug. 10, 2011 as the annual Perseid meteor shower neared its peak.Space.com via Nick Rose
