Photo: Iqaluit meteor watchers get bonus summer aurora

Stargazers hoping to catch a glimpse of the Perseid meteor shower in Iqaluit last weekend were instead treated to an impressive display of Aurora Borealis. The northern lights swirled over Koojeese Inlet shortly before midnight Aug. 12, coinciding with the time astronomers predicted to be the peak evening for Perseid viewing. If you missed out seeing any shooting stars, the Persied shower is expected to continue until Aug. 24. The annual Persied phenomena is caused when Earth travels through the tail of Comet Swift-Tuttle and debris from the comet enters the planet’s atmosphere. According to Environment Canada, Iqaluit will have a relatively cloud-free week through to Aug. 19. Persied meteors are most frequently seen between midnight and dawn. (PHOTO BY STEVE DUCHARME)