Perseids

What happens

Earth crosses a trail of dust left behind by a comet or asteroid. The grains burn up high in the atmosphere, and they appear to stream out of a single point in the sky.

How to watch

• After midnight is usually best, once your side of Earth turns into the stream.
• Lie back and take in as much sky as you can. No telescope, no binoculars.
• Give your eyes twenty minutes to adapt, then be patient for an hour.

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