Meteor Showers | Astronomy.com

An orbital photograph shows the curved, cloud-covered surface of Earth stretching diagonally across the lower half of the frame under a pitch-black sky. A thin, glowing green band outlines Earth's horizon, while a bright streak of light flashes over the atmosphere near the center. In the upper right and lower left corners, metallic spacecraft structures and solar panel arrays extend into the frame, lit brightly against the dark expanse of space.

Today in the History of Astronomy

Aug. 13, 2011: Perseids from space

A wide-angle night sky photograph taken at a star party, showing a bright Perseid meteor streaking diagonally across the upper portion of the frame with a vivid green and white trail. The foreground shows an open field with several telescopes set up, observers lit by red lights to preserve night vision, cars, a small white building, and a treeline silhouetted against a faint twilight glow on the horizon. A red tent is partially visible in the lower left.

How to watch a meteor shower

A single bright meteor streaks diagonally across a dark, star-filled sky above a rugged hilltop town. The lights and stone buildings of the town cluster around a rocky ridge, with a soft, pink glow near the horizon. A crescent Moon is enveloped by scattered clouds, generating a bright, wispy halo.

This Week in Astronomy, Upcoming Events

See the Eta Aquariid meteor shower

Observing, This Week in Astronomy

Catch the Lyrid meteors

Today in the History of Astronomy

Feb. 9, 1913: The Great Meteor Procession

Observing, Upcoming Events

The Leonid meteor shower peaks Sunday night

Observing, This Week in Astronomy, Upcoming Events

This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: The Leonid meteor shower

This Week in Astronomy

This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: The Orionid meteor shower

Observing, This Week in Astronomy, Upcoming Events

This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher: The April Lyrid Meteor Shower

The Orionid meteor shower: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher

Robotic Spaceflight, Solar System

Could we experience the first-ever human-made meteor shower?

Observing, Upcoming Events

Catch the Perseid meteor shower! This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher