Astronomy

Milky Way with meteor during the Perseids meteor shower peak, August 2020 © Isabel Streit Summary This article provides an introduction to the Perseids meteor shower, one of the most well-known and widely observed meteor showers, which occurs annually from mid-July to early September. It addresses the formation of meteors, popularly referred to as “shooting stars,” which occur when meteoroids enter the Earth’s atmosphere. Particular emphasis is placed on the provenance of the Perseids, which are attributable to debris from the comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle. Additionally, the article presents a brief overview of the scientific significance of meteor showers. It includes practical guidelines for observing the Perseids, such as the optimal time and location for experiencing the phenomenon. In conclusion, the historical, cultural, and scientific significance of meteor showers is discussed. ...

Introduction Every astronomical observation is also an observation of the past. Because light travels at a finite speed, the images we receive from celestial objects show them not as they are now, but as they were when their light began its journey toward Earth. This article explores what that means in practice — from nearby objects within our solar system to distant galaxies — and asks a simple but profound question: how far back in time can we see through a telescope? ...