Somethings in Life are Magic–Don't Miss Them: Perseid Shower Tonight

When a “star” shoots across the sky trailing a silver scarf behind it, magic happens in a child’s heart.  I know because  40 years ago I lay on old army cot staring up in amazement as the stars danced.  Since then I’ve only missed a year or maybe two laying out in August to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower.  Earlier this year, I slept out and watched another shower in July.  My eight year old was again enchanted.  He saw 15 and I doubt he’ll ever forget the beauty. Tonight you might be able to see as much as 80-100 per hour!

Tonight you can enjoy this (with or without children) by going to a dark place with an open view of the sky.  The best times are in the early morning of tomorrow and the next day but anytime after 9:30 should be good this evening.  Lay back on the ground with a blanket or on a lawn chair.  Face towards the North East.  The area where the shooting stars appear to most often come from is low on the horizon early in the night but it will raise as it gets later.

Settle in with some good company and wonder over the wandering stars trailing silver mist behind them.  The joy of watching the stars fall is doubled when you do it with someone you like.

According to Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Lab in California

Perseids
Comet of Origin: 109P/Swift-Tuttle
Radiant: constellation Perseus
Active: Perseids begin to rise early August.
Peak Activity: Aug. 12-13, 2010
Peak Activity Meteor Count: Approximately 50 meteors per hour
Time of Optimal Viewing: Crescent moon will set early in the evening, allowing for dark skies all the way up until peak viewing just before dawn
Meteor Velocity: 61 kilometers (38 miles) per second
Note: The Perseid meteor shower is one of the most consistent performers and considered by many as 2010’s best shower. The meteors they produce are among the brightest of all meteor showers.

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19 Comments
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Heather
Guest
13 years ago

Thanks for reminding us, Kym

Scott
Guest
Scott
13 years ago

Thanks for the reminder, I had completely forgot about it.

Scott
Guest
Scott
13 years ago

Thanks for the reminder, I had completely forgot about it.

humboldturtle
Guest
humboldturtle
13 years ago

No stars on the coast ;(

humboldturtle
Guest
humboldturtle
13 years ago

No stars on the coast ;(

Rose
Guest
13 years ago

Love this! Too foggy here, but not far to clear skies.

Rose
Guest
13 years ago

Love this! Too foggy here, but not far to clear skies.

Staff
Member
13 years ago

Those of you on the coast, Head east if you have the time. It’s like a mini vacation with magic.

Staff
Member
13 years ago

Those of you on the coast, Head east if you have the time. It’s like a mini vacation with magic.

sageplant
Guest
sageplant
13 years ago

This is such a nice thing to remind people to do! with all the hurry and bustle going on around us, it’s important to remember the beauty that is around (and above) us.

sageplant
Guest
sageplant
13 years ago

This is such a nice thing to remind people to do! with all the hurry and bustle going on around us, it’s important to remember the beauty that is around (and above) us.

Ernie's Place
Guest
13 years ago

Kym
Okay, my meteor shower was all fogged up. I know that you live on a mountain top and had a birds eye view. So… How was it???

Ernie's Place
Guest
13 years ago

Kym
Okay, my meteor shower was all fogged up. I know that you live on a mountain top and had a birds eye view. So… How was it???

Staff
Member
13 years ago

The fog rolled in around 11:30 so I went in but before that the sky was like a bowl of black velvety water with still silver minnows sparkling everywhere. The minnows weren’t swimming at first. Then one shy one slid across a fold in the darkness–just a grain of light that disappeared quickly. There were more shy ones, a few bolder ones, and then just before the fog covered Cassiopeia a bold silver fish jumped out of the velvet and lit up the sky –making even the Milky Way look drab. Gorgeous!

I’m going out again tonight.

Staff
Member
13 years ago

The fog rolled in around 11:30 so I went in but before that the sky was like a bowl of black velvety water with still silver minnows sparkling everywhere. The minnows weren’t swimming at first. Then one shy one slid across a fold in the darkness–just a grain of light that disappeared quickly. There were more shy ones, a few bolder ones, and then just before the fog covered Cassiopeia a bold silver fish jumped out of the velvet and lit up the sky –making even the Milky Way look drab. Gorgeous!

I’m going out again tonight.

Ernie's Place
Guest
13 years ago

It’s supposed to be warming, and the fog is supposed to clear. Who knows, maybe we will get lucky!

Ernie's Place
Guest
13 years ago

It’s supposed to be warming, and the fog is supposed to clear. Who knows, maybe we will get lucky!

Staff
Member
13 years ago

I hope it is beautiful for both of us!

Staff
Member
13 years ago

I hope it is beautiful for both of us!