Perseids Meteor Shower

Perseid meteors have been observed for over 2000 years; they are shed by the comet Swift-Tuttle.

Because its orbit takes it close to Earth, astronomer Gerrit Verschuur described Swift-Tuttle as "the single most dangerous object known to humanity".

The showers occur from mid-July onwards each year and are best viewed in the northern hemisphere.

Last year, at its peak, the shower produced over 100 meteors an hour.

In the foreground is St Michael's tower, atop Glastonbury Tor, UK, a site famously associated with Arthurian legend.

(Image: Mike-DT6)