The North Bay hills held the fog mostly at bay early Thursday, allowing good views during peak conditions for the Perseid meteor shower, a favorite of sky gazers because it can produce brilliant fireballs.

The Perseids are debris from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, an icy ball that orbits the sun every 133 years and isn’t scheduled for a return visit until 2125. Observations of the perennial meteor shower date back over 2,000 years.

The marine layer fills Alexander Valley as the Milky Way highlights a falling Perseid meteor, Thursday morning, August 13, 2026. The lights of Geyserville illuminate the fog. The Perseids are remnants of comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, and will be active until Aug. 24. Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)The marine layer fills Alexander Valley as the Milky Way highlights a falling Perseid meteor, Thursday morning, August 13, 2026. The lights of Geyserville illuminate the fog. The Perseid shower will be active until Aug. 24. Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)