Unite the Right, NASA probe launch, meteor shower: 5 things you need to know this weekend

Editors USA TODAY

Published 8:10 p.m. UTC Aug 11, 2018

NASA wants to 'touch' the sun

The oldest NASA project on the books is set to come to head Saturday when the unmanned Parker Solar Probe is expected to liftoff from Kennedy Space Center to the nearest star — the sun. The spacecraft will explore the sun’s outer atmosphere and make observations that will answer decades-old questions about the physics of how stars work. Coming with a $1.6-billion price tag, the mission aims to improve forecasts of major space weather events that impact life on Earth as well as astronauts in space. Cutting-edge thermal engineering advances will allow the front of the probe's solar shield to endure temperatures approaching 2,500 degrees.

White nationalists will rally in D.C. on Charlottesville anniversary

The white nationalists whose rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, last year caused several injuries and one death are having an anniversary rally – this time, in Washington, D.C. Hundreds of far-right protesters will parade down Pennsylvania Avenue Sunday evening and gather by the White House for a "white civil rights" protest. They won't be alone: more than 1,000 counterprotesters, affiliated with Black Lives Matter, socialist groups, anarchist groups and anti-fascist ideology, are holding their own rally a few blocks away and will later come face-to-face with the white nationalists in Lafayette Square.

PGA Championship: Play resumes after weather cuts second-round play

Heavy rains forced the suspension of play Friday at the 100th PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club. Tiger Woods was only eight holes into Round 2 when play was suspended, and sits within striking distance at 3-under par. Tournament leader Gary Woodland set a 36-hole PGA Championship record at 10-under par, but is only one shot ahead of Kevin Kisner and two ahead of Brooks Koepka, who surged up the leaderboard Friday with a near record-setting round. Play will resume at 8 a.m. ET on Saturday, with TV coverage starting at 11 a.m. ET on TNT and continuing on CBS at 2 p.m. ET.

More states offer tax-free weekends for back-to-school shopping

Get ready Texas, Maryland and Massachusetts, it's tax-free weekend. As the back-to-school shopping spree continues, states across the country are hosting sales tax holidays to help parents and educators get ready for the new school year. Last week, 10 states offered similar savings. Other states, such as Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon will be excluding themselves from the nationwide tax-free holiday trend as they don't have a state sales tax to begin with. Looking to shop smart? Check out these tips to save time, money and your sanity.

Crescent moon and cloudless skies expected for Perseids meteor shower

Weather permitting, the best summertime meteor shower — the Perseids — will come to a sky near you this weekend. The Perseid meteor shower occurs every year when the Earth passes through the cloud of debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. The meteors are actually dust and particles from the tail of the comet as it orbits around the sun. During the Perseids' peak on the nights of Aug. 11 and Aug. 12, skywatchers should expect to see about 60 to 70 meteors per hour, Space.com said. The best viewing conditions for the Perseids should be across the Midwest, and northern Plains, where stargazers will have cloud-free skies.

Let's block ads! (Why?)