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
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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A hit ballet, long after its debut
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A lunar lantern celebration
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Talk like a pirate—or walk the plank
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In search of roadside attractions on ‘America’s Highway’
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Make your list and check it twice
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Flower of Life symbol drawn in snow
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International Archaeology Day
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Composite image of a lunar eclipse
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The Vestibule at Diocletian s Palace, Split, Croatia
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Happy Boxing Day!
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Rising up from the black sand like rock gods
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A river runs through it
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Canada Day
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Mardi Gras
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‘Ciao’ from Varenna
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Aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
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Spotted Lake emerges
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Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
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A river on the tundra
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Stuben am Arlberg, Austria
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Of moose and Maine
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The view will stop you in your tracks
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Waimea Canyon and Waipoo Falls, Kauai, Hawaii
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Let s celebrate cephalopods
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The Door County Coastal Byway in Wisconsin
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Over the boardwalk
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Friendship Day in the City of Brotherly Love
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It s Teacher Appreciation Week
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Tour de France
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Belgium celebrates its independence