Because August is such a fantastic time for stargazing, we’re looking skyward at this spectacular nighttime scene of the Milky Way over the Totensee, a small natural lake in Switzerland. In the Northern Hemisphere, the nights are still long and remain warm, so if you"re lucky you can catch the always thrilling sight of a falling star. Tonight would be a good night to look for one because we"re at the tail end of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Like most predictable meteor showers, it occurs when the Earth"s orbit intersects with the long elliptical path of one of the millions of comets that orbit the sun. It is called the Perseid meteor shower because the bulk of the meteors will appear to originate out of the constellation Perseus. So, turn out the lights, head outside, and look up!
Reflections of the night sky
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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A medieval celebration in the Mediterranean
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Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain
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A festival of colors
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Halfway Day
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Art in the chapel
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Taking the scenic route to Sturgis
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A night on the (ghost) town
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In the Most Serene Republic
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Great on so many levels
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Fish River Canyon, Namibia
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Falling for Rioja
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Aït Benhaddou, Morocco
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Pollinator Week
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Central Highlands of Vietnam
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Glowworm caves in Australia
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A cliffside harbor in Sardinia
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An old celebration for a new season
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What s cuter than nuzzling rhinos?
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Feelin groovy on Record Store Day
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In orbit for Yuri s Night
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Cousins Day
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Birds of a feather flocking together
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Scottish Blackface sheep, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
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Asteroid Day
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Leap day
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A swim in the sky
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Tasiilaq, Greenland
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International Sloth Day
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Methow Valley, North Cascades, Washington
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What a twist
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