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A meteor streak was captured during a long-exposure photograph of the Great Lacerta Nebula from Death Valley Observatories in Nevada. The meteoroid, likely a small pebble-sized object, vaporized while passing through Earth's atmosphere, creating a visible glow by heating surrounding air and leaving behind gas and dust that reveals its chemical composition through spectral colors. The observation occurred during a period when three meteor showers are active, with the Perseid meteor shower expected to peak around August 13, 2026, coinciding with a new moon and solar eclipse from certain locations.
Why it matters
This photograph demonstrates how meteors can be serendipitously captured during astrophotography sessions and illustrates the physical processes of atmospheric entry. The timing information helps amateur astronomers and the public plan optimal viewing opportunities for the upcoming Perseid meteor shower peak, which will benefit from minimal lunar interference this year.
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Vaporizing Meteor Photobombs the Lacerta Nebula
Explanation: What’s happening to this meteor? This bright meteor streak appeared and disappeared quickly during a long exposure of the Great Lacerta Nebula, seen faintly in red toward the center of the image. The meteoroid, likely a small pebble, creates its glow partly by heating and exciting surrounding air in Earth’s atmosphere, but itself vaporizes and leaves wind-blown gas and dust with colors that give clues to its composition. The featured image was captured last month from Death Valley Observatories in Nevada, USA. This month, though, is particularly good for seeing meteors. Presently there are three meteor showers ongoing, although they are currently competing for visibility with the glow of a bright gibbous Moon. The most active of these showers, the Perseids, will be busiest in about 10 days — after the Moon has dimmed considerably. This year, the Perseids peak nearly coincides with not only a new Moon, but, from some locations, one that totally eclipses the Sun.
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| Date: | August 3, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Credit & Copyright: | Tom Burnett |
| Authors & editors: | Robert Nemiroff, Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti, Keighley Rockcliffe |
| A service of: |
ASD at NASA / GSFC, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U. |
Source: APOD: 2026 August 3 – Vaporizing Meteor Photobombs the Lacerta Nebula