The Perseid meteor shower has been dazzling the night sky since July 17 and will continue to light up summer evenings until Aug. 23. The peak nights for the famous astronomical event are this week.

Here’s what you need to know about the Perseids and where to see them in Nevada.

What is a meteor shower?

NASA explains that a meteor is a piece of rock or other debris from space that enters Earth’s atmosphere at high speeds, burning up and creating the bright streak seen across the sky. If it survives the trip and hits the ground, it becomes a meteorite.

Meteor showers occur annually or at regular intervals when Earth passes through a trail of dusty debris left by a comet or, in some cases, an asteroid.

Is a meteor the same as a comet?

No, meteors and comets are not the same. Comets are

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