articleThe Brief August 12's astronomical marathon kicks off before sunrise with a rare six-planet alignment. A solar eclipse will occur later that day with totality across parts of Europe. The 24-hour celestial event wraps up overnight into August 13 with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. Within a 24-hour window, the cosmos will deliver three major astronomical events: a six-planet alignment, solar eclipse and Perseid meteor shower. Featured articlePerseid meteor showerServing as the finale for the 24-hour celestial event, the night of August 12 brings the peak of the famous Perseid meteor shower.