A View Of The Perseid Meteor Shower

NPR

Published August 12, 2016 at 12:33 PM EDT

A Perseid meteor streaks across the sky above Inspiration Point early on August 12, 2016 in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Perseid meteor shower is especially dramatic this year. The dusty tail of a comet is striking the Earth’s atmosphere, sending streaks of light across the night sky.

Brian Mann of Here & Now contributor North Country Public Radio climbed a summit in New York’s Adirondack Mountains last night to get a closer look. And Here & Now‘s Jeremy Hobson talks to NPR’s Nell Greenfieldboyce about the meteor shower.

Reporter

Brian Mann, Adirondack bureau chief for North Country Public Radio. He tweets @BrianMannADK.

Guest

Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR science desk reporter. She tweets @nell_sci_NPR