The Perseids meteor shower is an annual celestial event that occurs every August. It is caused by the Earth passing through the debris left by the comet Swift-Tuttle. As these tiny particles enter the Earth's atmosphere, they burn up and create bright streaks of light in the sky. The peak of the Perseids typically happens around August 12-13, when observers can see up to 60 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. This meteor shower is known for its fast and bright meteors, making it one of the most popular and well-observed showers of the year.