Explanation: What is happening to this meteor? This bright meteor streak flashed across the sky and quickly disappeared during a long-exposure photograph of the Great Lacerta Nebula, which appears faintly red near the center of the image. The meteoroid—probably no larger than a small pebble—produced its glowing trail as it entered Earth’s atmosphere. Friction and collisions with air molecules heat the meteoroid and surrounding atmosphere, causing the meteor to shine. As the space rock vaporizes, it releases gas and dust whose colors can reveal clues about its chemical composition. This stunning meteor and nebula image was captured last month at Death Valley Observatories in Nevada, USA. This month is also an excellent time for meteor watching. Three meteor showers are currently active, although their visibility is reduced by the light of a bright gibbous Moon. The most active shower, the Perseids, will reach its peak in about 10 days, when moonlight will have faded significantly. This year’s Perseid meteor shower peak will nearly coincide with a new Moon and, from some locations, a total solar eclipse.
Sky Surprise: What picture did APOD feature on your birthday? (>1995)
Tomorrow’s picture: open space…
Source: science.nasa.gov