August feels like the middle of summer, but the atmosphere is quietly changing in remarkable ways. From peak hurricane season and the Perseid meteor shower to shorter days and the first whispers of autumn, here’s why August is one of the most fascinating weather months of the year.

The Sun doesn’t suddenly get stronger during a heat wave. So why do temperatures sometimes soar? The answer is all in the atmosphere.

Have you ever noticed that some bright objects in the night sky sparkle while others don’t? The answer has everything to do with Earth’s atmosphere and a surprising clue that can help you tell a star from a planet.