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In Pictures: The Perseid meteor shower

12 August 2024

Every August, the Perseid meteor shower lights up the night sky with a spectacular display of meteors.

Here is a gallery of some of the best images from around the world

A meteor streaks above massive stone sculptures at the archaeological site of Mount Nemrut in Adiaman, south-east Turkey

Getty Images A meteor streaks above massive stone sculptures at the archaeological site in Turkey — A meteor streaks above massive stone sculptures at the archaeological site of Mount Nemrut in Adiaman, south-east Turkey

A member of an astronomical society sits by his cameras and watches the sky, waiting to see meteors over the lake of Kozjak in North Macedonia

EPA A man sits by his cameras and watches the sky — A member of an astronomical society sits by his cameras and watches the sky, waiting to see meteors over the lake of Kozjak in North Macedonia

This layered image blending 43 photos creates a captivating composite of celestial activity over Stonehenge in Wiltshire

Josh Dury A layered composite image shows several meteor streaks in the night sky over Stonehenge in Wiltshire on 11 August — This layered image blending 43 photos creates a captivating composite of celestial activity over Stonehenge in Wiltshire

A meteor streaks through the night sky behind St Mark's Tower, a 17th century coastal fortification in Malta

Reuters A meteor streaks through the night sky behind St Mark's Tower in Malta — A meteor streaks through the night sky behind St Mark's Tower, a 17th century coastal fortification in Malta

This long exposure picture shows a meteor streaking as satellites cross the night sky over a monastery in the village of Wigry in Poland

AFP A meteor streaks as satellites cross the night sky over a monastery — This long exposure picture shows a meteor streaking as satellites cross the night sky over a monastery in the village of Wigry in Poland

A meteor shoots across the sky high above the Jodrell Bank radio telescope in Cheshire

Andy Freeman/@f_otography1 A meteor above Jodrell Bank radio telescope — A meteor shoots across the sky high above the Jodrell Bank radio telescope in Cheshire

Some observers in northern regions were lucky to have a display of the Northern Lights as well as seeing meteors. This picture was taken near Kendal in Cumbria

Akhil Paul Northern lights and clouds in the sky in Cumbria — Some observers in northern regions were lucky to have a display of the Northern Lights as well as seeing meteors. This picture was taken near Kendal in Cumbria

The Perseid meteor shower occurs over several nights in mid-August, peaking on 11 August. This very bright meteor was captured by camera in Haputale, Sri Lanka last week.

Getty Images Bright meteor in the sky in Sri Lanka — The Perseid meteor shower occurs over several nights in mid-August, peaking on 11 August. This very bright meteor was captured by camera in Haputale, Sri Lanka last week.

People watch the sunrise the morning after the Perseid meteor shower at the archaeological site on Mount Nemrut in Turkey

AFP People watch the sunrise on a mountain in Turkey — People watch the sunrise the morning after the Perseid meteor shower at the archaeological site on Mount Nemrut in Turkey

All images are under copyright