Meteor shower

Meteor showers are beautiful astronomical phenomena, but they can be fickle. Now a Japanese company is planning to put on artificial shooting star shows on demand with the Sky Canvas project. And there might be some scientific benefits to it as well.

​Every August our planet passes through the edges of debris left behind by the ancient comet Swift-Tuttle, and every year Earthlings are treated to a spectacular meteorite shower. But this year Mother Nature is cranking up the dial on the atmospheric fireworks.

If you've never made a wish on a falling star, now's your chance to make up for lost time. The Geminid meteor shower, which is best viewed without a telescope​ and in clear, dark skies, should peak from 13 to 15 December with scores of meteors expected to shoot across the sky each hour.​

​According to a new study, the Planet Mercury experiences regular meteor showers at roughly the same time each year, as it moves through a trail of dust thrown off by the ancient comet Encke.

According to observations made by NASA and ESA orbiters, the extremely close flyby of comet C/2013 A1 Siding Spring was accompanied by a meteor shower larger than any seen on Earth.

Early August always brings with it the promise of a spectacular show in the form of the Perseid meteor shower. But this year a NASA study shows the Perseids display more fireballs than any other shower.