|   | 
Credit & Copyright: Sebastian Voltmer  
  
   
Explanation:
Medieval  
Albrechtsberg  
castle is nestled in trees  
near the northern bank of the river Pielach  
and the town  
of Melk, Austria.  
  
In clearing night skies on August 12, 2012 it stood under  
constellations of the northern summer,  
including Aquarius, Aquila, and faint, compact  
Delphinus  
(above and right of center) in this west-looking skyview.  
  
The scene also captures a bright meteor above the castle walls.  
  
Part of the annual  
perseid meteor shower, its trail points back  
toward the heroic constellation Perseus high above the horizon in the  
early morning hours.  
  
Entering the atmosphere at about  
60 kilometers per second, perseid meteors are swept up dust grains  
from the tail of  
comet Swift-Tuttle.  
  
Of course, this year's perseid meteors will flash through  
night skies  
this weekend.  
  
| January February March April May June July August September October November December | 
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
  