Herald snapper hits paydust with Perseid meteors.

Photographer Sarah Peters, who was working late on Thursday evening for one of our sister papers, was returning home towards Crawfordjohn when she was met with the most amazing heavenly display that was the Perseid meteor shower.
13-08-2014 Picture Sarah Peters. Perseids Meteor Show at Crawfordjohn13-08-2014 Picture Sarah Peters. Perseids Meteor Show at Crawfordjohn
13-08-2014 Picture Sarah Peters. Perseids Meteor Show at Crawfordjohn

The meteor is the streak towards the centre of the image while the fainter streak on the right is actually a passing satellite.

What’s the source of the Perseid meteor shower?

Every year, from around July 17 to August 24, our planet Earth crosses the orbital path of Comet Swift-Tuttle, the parent of the Perseid meteor shower.

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Debris from this comet litters it’s orbit, but we don’t really get into the thick of the ‘rubble’ until after the first week of August.

The bits and pieces from Comet Swift-Tuttle slam into the Earth’s upper atmosphere at some 210,000 kilometers (130,000 miles) per hour, lighting up the night with fast-moving Perseid meteors.

We think it’s a cracking image Sarah, what your opinion folks? - leave your comments below.

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