National Meteor Day: Look up in the sky and enjoy the show

When it comes to holidays, things are looking up today - way, way up! June 30 is National Meteor Day, also known as Meteor Watch Day. This annual event celebrates those "bright trails or streaks that appear in the sky when a meteoroid is heated to incandescence by friction with the earth's atmosphere. Also called falling star, meteor burst, shooting star."

Like a scene right out of a movie, the sky really did fall for folks in Russia on February 15, 2013. More than 1,200 people were injured and 4,000 buildings were damaged when a meteor streaked across the Russian sky causing a massive explosion, which was all captured on video. Witnesses observed a white streak of light blazing across the sky as far as 125 miles away. Travelling at 19 miles per second, NASA estimated the size of the "tiny asteroid" to be 49 to 55 feet with a mass of up to 10,000 tons.

Perseids

If you're in the mood for a little family fun entertainment, how about an out-of-this-world meteor shower? For nearly 2000 years, one of the most famous meteor showers is the Perseids. Star-gazers in the Northern Hemisphere are privy to a spectacular shooting star showing in the nighttime sky. From about the middle of July until mid-August, dozens of meteors dance across the darkened sky.

Meteor Watching Tips

Whether you are looking for a single shooting star or a fantastic meteor shower, you will need to get away from the bright city lights . To get the best seat in the house, a dark and secluded spot under a dark and clear sky is your best bet for the show. Be sure to bring along the bug spray, a lawn chair or blanket and some comfy clothing. And best of all - admission is free!

Who needs the Independence Day fireworks when you can have your own from the comfort of your own backyard? Let's just hope they don't get too close!

June 30 is also Social Media Day and National Ice Cream Soda Day.