Perseid meteor shower peaks

Thursday 12 August 2010 00:00 BST

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Shooting stars are set to provide a dazzling display of celestial fireworks tonight. Experts said the annual Perseid meteor shower would be one of the most spectacular in recent years.

Every August, the Earth ploughs through a swarm of dusty particles shed by a passing comet, Swift-Tuttle. As the particles, each no bigger than a grain of sand, hit the atmosphere at 135,000mph they burn up, producing trails of light.

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Perseid meteor shower peaks

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