Perseid Meteor shower

What is it?

• The Perseids are a prolific meteor shower associated with the comet Swift–Tuttle.
•  The meteors are called the Perseids because the point from which they appear to hail (called the radiant) lies in the constellation Perseus.

How are they created?

• They originate from a stream of debris near a comet.
• The stream of debris is called the Perseid cloud and stretches along the orbit of the comet Swift–Tuttle.
• The cloud consists of particles ejected by the comet as it travels on its 133-year orbit.
• The shower is visible from mid-July each year, with the peak in activity between 9 and 14 August, depending on the particular location of the stream.
• During the peak, the rate of meteors reaches 60 or more per hour.
• They are primarily visible from northern hemisphere.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding Perseid Meteor Shower:
1.They originate from the Halley's Comet.
2.They are visible mainly during the period from January to April.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question