Perseid meteors over Teide Observatory, Tenerife, Spain

Perseid meteor shower over Teide Observatory, Tenerife, Spain

When darkness falls over Tenerife, Spain, the stars take centre stage. Perched high on the slopes of Mount Teide, Teide Observatory is one of the world's leading solar observatories and among the best places in Europe for astronomical research. Opened in 1964 at an altitude of about 2,390 metres, it benefits from clear skies, dry air and minimal light pollution for much of the year, making it ideal for observing the sun by day and the night sky after sunset.

Today's image captures the Perseid meteor shower above the observatory, one of the year's most reliable celestial displays. Active from mid-July to late August and usually peaking around 12-13 August, the shower is created when Earth passes through debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle. As the tiny particles burn up in our atmosphere, they produce bright streaks of light that appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus. Under Teide's exceptionally dark skies, the annual spectacle is especially memorable.