Sunday, August 12, 2012

When You Wish Upon A Star....

A shooting star is a common name for the visible path of a meteoroid as it enters the atmosphere to become a meteor. 

This the closest photo I could find on line to depict what we were seeing last night.

This weekend is prime opportunity to witness numerous shooting stars in the night skies.   As it turns out, and most of you are aware, this weekend will be host to the best meteor shower of the year with hundreds of shooting stars filling the sky in the pre-dawn hours.  The Perseid Meteor showers will peak on Sunday night. 

Interestingly enough, in my 38 years I have no recollection of ever having the opportunity to see a shooting star.  I'm not much of a star gazer and I don't sit around ogling the heavens at night too often so my chances have been greatly diminished.   Last night was a first for me. 

Eric and I decided to create a makeshift 'bed' on the trampoline, since the temperature in the air was totally perfect last night, around midnight.  We got comfy and laid there and stared up at the night sky.  It had been kind of cloudy all day and supposedly there was supposed to be some storm that was due to blow in.  Thankfully the clouds dispersed and that storm never transpired. 

Immediately upon climbing up onto the trampoline I witnessed my very first shooting star.  And after an hour and a half, at the very most, I'd witnessed 26.  A couple of them were really amazing!  I didn't make a wish on any of them.  I thought since they were sending me so many for my first time it would be presumptuous of me to think I could wish on them all.  By number 26 I'd gotten too comfy (in true Holly fashion) and closed my eyes and fell asleep under the starry night.   Eric reported counting 44 before he too fell prey to sleep. 

We woke up at 7 this morning covered in dew with a light sprinkling of rain falling on us.  (I have to say dew works wonders on my hair.  It's so soft and curly this morning!  Probably not nearly as beautiful and flowing as I imagine it is but it sure feels that way.)

I think we're going to head out again tonight provided the weather co-operates and watch some more before I have to come in and sleep in a real bed before work tomorrow.  I'm gonna drag the boys out to witness it this time around though. 

Did you see meteors last night?  How many did you witness?

5 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful night truly! I have seen a shooting star before, but it's been years and I remember thinking I should wish on it but couldn't think of anything worth it at the time!! What a waste hey?

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  2. Only saw one last night. More than 20 is definitely a show. Hope you and the boys enjoy tonight.

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  3. I was looking forward to that too last night - the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter were also lined up and visible as well as the meteor shower - but the cloud cover here was too thick to see anything. I enjoyed reading your post - and I have my fingers crossed for tonight!

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    1. The best view of the planets is supposed to be tonight too, so I hope it clears up for you as well. It's not looking promising at the moment for us.

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  4. Sounds beautiful.

    I tried, but too many clouds--couldn't even see the moon and stars. There were two meteors that were bright enough to pierce through and I was glad to see those, and then it started to rain. We've been needing rain, so while the timing wasn't great, I can't really complain too much. I'll try again tonight.

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