It's not little green men, but it is from outer space!

Facebook is all abuzz with questions regarding "streaks of light shooting fast and low across the nighttime sky", but the good news is we aren't having an alien invasion...at least not yet!

Every August, just when many people go camping where skies are dark, the famous Perseid Meteor Shower shows up and shows out!

But what is a Perseid? According to Space. com, "A Perseid is one whose path, if traced backward across the sky, intersects a spot between the constellations Perseus and Cassiopeia. Other "sporadic" meteors traveling in random directions occur once every 5 or 10 minutes. Two much weaker showers are also active at this time of the year, the Delta Aquarids and Kappa Cygnids."

The article goes on to say, "Earth should go through the thickest part of this "old faithful" of meteor showers for many hours centered around 1400 UTC on Aug. 12, which is 10 a.m. on that date Eastern Daylight Time, which is during the daytime across all of North America. So, for meteor watchers here, the night before and perhaps even after could be equally good. Fortunately, the Perseids stay active — about one-quarter their peak strength — for several days before and a day or two after their peak, and an occasional one may be seen almost anytime during the month of August."

This year, it should reach its peak late Sunday night into early Monday morning, but of course, living in many areas of Southeast Texas we have limited outdoor lighting, so we are able to see a few meteors now, before peak time. Also, some do appear during the evening, but the shower is always better from about 11 p.m. until morning. 

So no worries, we aren't being invaded but we are being treated with our annual light show. Enjoy!

Images and information credit Space. com