We can’t all gather on the southern Black Sea coast of Bulgaria to watch the Perseids meteor shower tonight, but perhaps this amazing photo from that location will inspire you to head outside for a look at your own skies. Every August, Earth passes through the trail of debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. When Swift-Tuttle’s ‘dirty snowballs’ of dust, ice, rock, and other material hit Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up as the ‘shooting stars’ of the Perseids. If you can, get away from city lights any time between now and Aug 24, find a safe spot outside, and let your eyes adjust to the dark for about 30 minutes. Look to the northern portion of the sky, or find the Perseus constellation, and you’ll start seeing streaks of light tumbling through the sky.
Look to the north sky tonight for the Perseids
Today in History
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International Archaeology Day
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Let s ride! It s Roller Coaster Day
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Tigh Mor Trossachs on Loch Achray, Scotland
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Acadia transformed
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Across the great plains of Africa
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International Jazz Day
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Thomas Edison s bright idea
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Icelandic horses, Iceland
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Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
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Lionfish off the coast of Indonesia
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Flowers by the sea
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Happy Easter!
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Welcome to the Hoh
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Let s crack the code
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Cheetah in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania
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A red knot on the Shetland Islands, Scotland
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In the Navajo Nation for Code Talkers Day
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Poppies for Armistice Day
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World Meteorological Day
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Château de Villandry, France
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Freeze frame
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The aftermath of a meteorite
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A throng of ice and spires
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1.1 billion opportunities for a better world
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Blue-footed booby, Galápagos Islands
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Gentoo penguins in Antarctica
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St. Patrick s Day
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Fall Astronomy Week
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Whooper swans in Lake Kussharo, Japan
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Find a Rainbow Day