About 1000 years ago Leif Eriksson landed on North America and formed the first European settlements here while other Vikings were fighting and winning against the Anglo-Saxons in England. In Scotland, King MacBeth was born, an unknown author writes the epic "Beowulf", and the High Middle Ages reached full swing in Erope.
...and a comet now called Swift-Tuttle was zooming around the sun leaving a trail of dust in its wake.
Tonight we are all passing through that portion of the comet's debris trail as the Perseids Meteor Shower is in full swing. Grab a drink and a lawn chair and enjoy the show!