Magnificent meteor shower caught on camera

DOI Photographer Reuben Piscopo captured some stunning images of the  meteor showers that graced the Maltese skies last night.

The meteor shower was visible over the islands between the 9th and the 11th August, with many astronomy enthusiasts and curious individuals flocking to the more remote and dark areas of the island, in an effort to catch a glimpse of the spectacle, which can be obscured by city lights.

Photographer Reuben Piscopo captures the Milky Way in breathtaking photography

The meteors are usually referred to as the Tears of Saint Lawrence, and they are so-called in Catholic culture, because they coincide with the day, when Saint Lawrence was burnt alive on a gridiron, on August 10th.

The folk legend tied to this event is in fact that the shooting stars are sparks of the fire the saint was burned in.

Astronomers refer to the shower as the “Perseids”, because the point from which they seem to appear originates from the Perseus constellation.

According to weather specialists firstmalta.com, meteors  can reach some 60 or more per hour, with pre-dawn hours marking the most visible times.