A typical Perseids meteoroid (which is what they\u2019re called while in space) moves at 133,200 mph when it hits Earth\u2019s atmosphere (and then it is called a meteor), according to Space.com<\/a>. Most of the Perseids are tiny, about the size of a sand grain. Almost none of the fragments hit the ground, but if one does, it\u2019s called a meteorite.<\/p>\n With swift and bright meteors, Perseids frequently leave long \u201cwakes\u201d of light and color behind them as they streak through Earth\u2019s atmosphere. And they are one of the most plentiful showers with about 50 to 100 meteors seen per hour.<\/p>\n The Swift-Tuttle comet, with a nucleus of about 16 miles, is the largest object known to repeatedly pass by Earth. It last passed Earth during its orbit around the sun in 1992 and its next flyby of Terra Prime is expected in 2126.<\/p>\n Though among the minor meteor shower events, both the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids are currently active.<\/p>\n The Southern Delta Aquariids became viewable on July 12 and will be active through August 23 with peak on the night of July 30-31. Unfortunately, a full moon occurs just two days earlier and viewing will be severely compromised by the bright moonlight, per the American Meteor Society.<\/p>\n The Alpha Capricornids begin viewable activity on July 3 and will be visible through Aug. 12. It shares the same peak as the Aquariids and will be equally impacted by brighter night skies at that time. While this display is equally viewable from both sides of the equator, the American Meteor Society notes, it is not very strong and rarely produces more than five shower members per hour.<\/p>\n The dark side of summer meteor shows<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/S5QSDY5VDJHJLPHBURCA6WX5GY.jpg\")
Ancient statues are seen during the Perseid meteor shower atop Mount Nemrut in southeastern Turkey, Sunday, Aug.11, 2024. Perched at an altitude of 2,150 meters (over 7,000 feet), the statues are part of a temple and tomb complex that King Antiochus I, of the ancient Commagene kingdom, built as a monument to himself. | Emrah Gurel, Associated Press <\/p>\n