SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The strongest meteor shower of the year is expected to peak this week, bringing bright, long streaks of light across the night sky. • Video above by Nexstar Media Wire explains the difference between a meteoroid, meteor and meteorite

The Perseids bring about 50 to 100 meteors per hour, according to NASA. The shower often brings fireballs that last longer than an average meteor streak.

What creates the Perseid meteor shower?

Meteors originate from particles left over from comets and broken asteroids that leave a debris trail as they travel around the sun.

The particles that come together to create the Perseid meteor shower are believed to have originated from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which takes 133 years to orbit once around the Sun.

When to watch

The mete

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