Brilliant Meteor Streaks Over English Castle (Photo)

Stargazer Thomas Heaton sent SPACE.com this photo of a Perseid meteor soaring over Edlington castle in Northumberland, England on Aug. 12, 2013. Credit: Thomas Heaton View full size image

A brilliant Perseid meteor shoots across the night sky over Edlington castle in Northumberland, England in this spectacular night sky photo.  

Stargazer Thomas Heaton sent this stunning image to SPACE.com on Aug. 12 during the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower.

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Each year in mid-August the Earth passes through a trail of dust left over from the Comet Swift-Tuttle. Fragments of ice and dust hit Earth’s atmosphere and burn up, creating one of the most dazzling annual meteor showers.

To see more amazing night sky photos submitted by SPACE.com readers, visit our astrophotography archive.

Editor's note: If you have an amazing night sky photo you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, please contact managing editor Tariq Malik at spacephotos@space.com.

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