                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                2025 August 3
     A starscape is shown with the central band of the Milky Way Galaxy
   running down the center. Just to the left of the Milky Way is a bright
    meteor. In the three frame time-lapse image, the meteor explodes and
    gas and dust drift away. Please see the explanation for more detailed
                                information.

                       Milky Way and Exploding Meteor
               Image Credit & Copyright: Andre van der Hoeven

   Explanation: In about a week the Perseid Meteor Shower will reach its
   maximum. Grains of icy rock will streak across the sky as they
   evaporate during entry into Earth's atmosphere. These grains were shed
   from Comet Swift-Tuttle. The Perseids result from the annual crossing
   of the Earth through Comet Swift-Tuttle's orbit, and are typically the
   most active meteor shower of the year. Although it is hard to predict
   the level of activity in any meteor shower, in a clear dark sky an
   observer might see a meteor a minute. This year's Perseids peak just a
   few days after full moon, and so some faint meteors will be lost to the
   lunar skyglow. Meteor showers in general are best seen from a relaxing
   position, away from lights. Featured here is a meteor caught exploding
   during the 2015 Perseids above Austria next to the central band of our
   Milky Way Galaxy.

                      Tomorrow's picture: arcs unknown
     __________________________________________________________________

       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
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                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

