 sj |
||
|
||
Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!!
|
|
|
Subject: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: drummergirl Date: 11 Aug 02 - 07:31 PM Hi Guys, It's time to get out your lawn chairs and drive out to the middle of nowhere so that you can see tonight's peak of the Perseid meteor shower! You are supposed to be able to see a lot of "falling stars" tonight and tommorrow night, but it won't be as good as the Leonid shower last November. What could be better than being with some friends late into the evening, enjoying the great outdoors and if your lucky, singing a couple of songs!!!! Sounds like heaven to me!! Hope you all can get out to see it! |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: drummergirl Date: 11 Aug 02 - 07:33 PM Here is a link to some generic news about it if anyone is interested: http://www.msnbc.com/news/791665.asp?pne=msn See ya under the stars! |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Genie Date: 11 Aug 02 - 07:45 PM blickie Won't be as good a shower as Leonid was last fall, but the conditions for seeing it may be a lot better. Slender crescent moon only, skies pretty clear -- plus it's a lot warmer, for lying on the ground in/on a sleeping bag or on a lawn chair staring at the stars. If you can't get away tonight, you should still be able to get a pretty good show tomorrow night and to some degree even on Tues. & Wed. JenEllen, I'm jealous of your location (in the hills above Ellensburg, WA) for star (and meteor) gazing! Genie |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 11 Aug 02 - 07:46 PM Thanks for the heads-up! I sent this out to friends who live in the Davis Mountains of Texas, near the UT McDonald Observatory. They live part time in Fort Worth, but we're lucky if we can see the moon here some nights, the air is so yucky. Their latest trip out was nicely timed. SRS |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Celtic Soul Date: 11 Aug 02 - 09:17 PM Oh man...I wish this had been Saturday night. Out in Paw Paw, W.V. would have been *the* place to have witnessed this. |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Peg Date: 11 Aug 02 - 09:54 PM I plan to try and stay up late. I live in a neighborhood right near Olmsted's lovely Franklin Park which ought to make for good viewing if not for all the boneheads in my neigborhood who insist on destroying the night sky with their dumbass huge security lights...if not for them I'd likely be able to see a great many stars from my own back porch but instead I shall have to venture somewhat into the park which is probably not the safest thing but I shall be careful! Hopefully I will find other star gazers who want to do the same thing. peg
|
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: The Pooka Date: 11 Aug 02 - 10:31 PM Thanks, drummergirl. Will try to catch it. / The sky-show I mean; not an actual Falling Star & put it in me pocket...("What has it got in its pocketses?" - Gollum). I love this stuff. Unfortunately, unlike some of you young-whippersnapper'Catters, I won't be around in 2060 to view The Last Celestial Picture Show...'course, after that BigAsteroid comes rollin' down to old Maui, neither will you, kids....mmWAAA-ha-haaaa...ahem just kidding, I'm shure it'll miss. Or, if it *is* on target, the immortal Shatner/Kirk will vaporize it with phasers set on KickAsteroid. In the meanwhile, let us enjoy the dust-particle-sized Perseids. :) |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Genie Date: 11 Aug 02 - 10:50 PM Don't forget that when it comes to being able to see the starry sky at night, your own eyes' dark adaptation is perhaps nearly as important as is the ambient darkness of your area. (If you were out at sea but inside your cabin with the bright lights on and you suddenly turned off the lights, you wouldn't be able to see the "blanket of stars" above very well until your eyes "got used to the dark.") This means that if you can't go to a place were there are no "dumbass huge security lights," car headlights, street lights, etc., the next best thing is to find a place where you can't see any of those lights (and where the moon, if present, is behind a tree). After about 8 minutes you'll be able to see the details of the night sky much more clearly. If you can stay out of the "firing line" of these artificial light sources (and the moon) for and extended time period, even better. If you have to try to watch the meteors near a road, try to avert or cover your eyes when cars go by, so you won't lose any of your dark adaptation due to their headlights shining in your eyes. Genie |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: AllisonA(Animaterra) Date: 12 Aug 02 - 08:02 AM Ah, how I love living in the country! Last night at 1 am a group of us met as agreed in a field just 1/4 mile down the road from my house. Lawn chairs, blankets and sleeping bags spread out, we had a treat. Sometimes two or three in succession, sometimes long waits, once a brilliant shooting star that exploded on the horizon. Once a strange triangular 3-satellite formation- or could it have been a ufo? A loon called from a nearby pond, an owl hooted, the crickets chirped their sleepy August call. |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Trevor Date: 12 Aug 02 - 08:14 AM What a lovely thing to see as part of Squilverfest. At least it would have been if it hadn't pissed down solidly for the last three days! I remember a few years ago sitting on a balcony overlooking Lake Geneva on August 11th, watching this meteorite show being reflected in the lake. Fantastic! |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 12 Aug 02 - 09:56 AM If you need any light to help you get to your appointed viewing lounge chair, I would suggest positioning the chair during the day, then using a small flashlight with a red lens to find your way at the appointed hour. The red doesn't interfere as much with your ability to adjust to the night sky for viewing. SRS |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Peg Date: 12 Aug 02 - 11:59 AM I stayed up reading and before I knew it it was 4:30 AM! I ventured out and saw one HUGE star as I looked up on my street. I went to an entrance of Franklin Park and decided I was too nervous about going in there alone in the dark...especially when I saw a car parked at the end of the entrance and was not sure if someone was still in it or not. I wish I did not have to be so nervous about moving around alone in the city late at night, but that's life... I finally settled on a big yard in front of an old church scattered with huge trees (which helped block the streetlights) and was still nervous (I do not live in a good neighborhood) but did see one or two more but by then the sky had become too light to see much so after lying there for twenty minutes or so watching the skies lighten I went home... I may try again tonight, starting earlier. My night vision is pretty good from living in rural NY for a month every summer, but this part of the city is just too bright. If I had a car I would just get the heck out... peg
|
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: GUEST,Bloke in the Corner Date: 12 Aug 02 - 05:48 PM Beware - remember how 'The Day of the Triffids' begins... |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Mr Red Date: 12 Aug 02 - 06:00 PM Saw about half a dozen identifiable streaks and a lot of something just at the edge of vision that might have been dim ones in about 15 minutes. Looking north. AND the brightest streak I have ever seen. A result. Thanks for the reminder. |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Jeanie Date: 12 Aug 02 - 06:40 PM Just got back in from the garden (11.30 p.m. Essex, England) - we saw lots, several one after another and then long gaps (rather like London buses, really) but well worth it. One or two were really bright, like fireworks, and went right across the sky. A great sight. - jeanie |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Mrs Cobble Date: 12 Aug 02 - 06:49 PM We have a poor show hear in East Yorkshire, there has been some activity but the cloudcover has spoiled the show. Mrs C |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Genie Date: 13 Aug 02 - 12:57 AM Last November during the Leonid shower, I saw one meteor that streaked across the sky like a fast moving comet and left an enduring tail like a skywriting plane. I hope I get to see some like that one this summer. I tried going out in the yard here in town last night about midnight, but my range of vision was very narrow, positioned as I was between two houses, and the city lights did prevent me from seeing the dimmer stars, so I gave up after about 30 minutes. My best bet, I figure, is to try to catch a few "falling stars" on my way to Seattle this morning. If I leave a few hours early -- about 3 AM -- and then pull off of the freeway onto a side road out in the country, I may be able to get a much better view. |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: CapriUni Date: 13 Aug 02 - 01:22 AM :::Sigh::: I can't drive... so I can't get further away from my house, than my motor wheelchair will take me... and there're streetlamps everywhere (even the end of my driveway!) (And my real estate agent told me about that as if it were a good thing) |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Peg Date: 13 Aug 02 - 01:38 AM I am going to head outside in a bit. It is still very warm and muggy here so I hope the mosquitos aren't out... |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: open mike Date: 13 Aug 02 - 02:01 AM yes, they are streamin by up there.. went to view them a couple of nights ago with a group of friends, neighbors, and children. the best way to avoid getting a crick in your neck is to take a reclining chaise lounge chair or put some pads and blankies and pillows in the back of a pick up and stretch out with your eyes on the sky. there have also been soh=me sightings of northern lights recently..this is the 11 year cycle of solar flares, and the sun spots (solar storms) effedt the magnetic field on the planet causing Aurora Borealis... http://www.spaceweather.com/ also see this link...http://science.nasa.gov/ for more info about whats gong on in the sky... |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Steve Parkes Date: 13 Aug 02 - 03:33 AM All I got was a stiff neck! We had a perfectly clear sky (at 10.40 pm in Bucks, UK) with plenty of stars, but all stationary. Maybe we'll have better luck tonight ... Steve |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: fogie Date: 13 Aug 02 - 06:13 AM Bloomin' hopeless here on the cricket pitch in Knighton. Didn't see anything but clouds. |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: drummergirl Date: 13 Aug 02 - 06:13 AM I just got back from going out again tonight to see the meteors (2 nights in a row!). I went with some good friends whom I hadn't seen for awhile and we had a lovely time. We spent a long time driving around in the curvy forested Oakland hills and had a blast doing it! When we finally got to a good look out spot, it was cold and windy and the fog soon rolled in! We did see a couple of shooting stars though, before the view was obstructed. It was quite an adventure and lots of fun. Last night, was quite different because I went with some other friends and we parked at a spot (which happened to be right next to a graveyard!!!!) a few towns over. We thought we saw a ghost as we drove past the cemetary and started getting freaked out. Then we started talking about other scary things until we got so scared that we jumped back into the car, and like a bunch of (safe) wusses, we just enjoyed the light show from a friend's backyard. All in all, they were two awesome nights! |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Peg Date: 13 Aug 02 - 10:15 AM I did spend about a half hour (between 2:30 and 3 AM) in as dark a spot I could find in this damn city (still too nervous to venture far into Franklin Park proper alone, but the sky was glowing pink over most of it anyway; too close to Dorchester) but I saw not ONE! I could see stars but the sky was rather grey and hazy. Actually the radio just said the air quality will be dangerous today... Steve P. you may have been out too early; best viewing time is the hours before dawn and at 10:40 pm in England it can't have been dark for long... |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: the lemonade lady Date: 13 Aug 02 - 12:21 PM Trevor reminded us at 9.30 with great excitement. Then we started singing something (Rap's prac night you know) and that seemed to make us forget to look!!! I think we drink far too much at our practices! |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: GUEST,Jennifer in Cambridge, England Date: 13 Aug 02 - 03:01 PM Best I ever saw was in '95 while lying on the bonnet of my 7.5 ton lorry at Carter Bar on the border between Scotland and England at 3a.m. Never saw as many shooting stars! Never thought there could be as many! Last night our family sat out on the decking in the garden near Royston, Herts and saw several small ones and a couple of HUGE ones, then - phut!...all gone. Still - even one shooting star is more than some people will ever see in their lifetime seeing as they never raise their eyes to the skies, eh? Roll on tonight! J. |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Genie Date: 13 Aug 02 - 05:21 PM I had to be in Seattle at 9AM and Portland is 3 hours or so away, so I left early--about 2:30 AM -- because of the Leonids. I actually saw one meteor shoot by, in front of my house, just as I was getting into the car to leave--what an omen!
As I got out of Portland and past Vancouver, WA, on I-5, the city lights were a bit dimmer, and I saw 2 or 3 meteors shoot past in front of my windshield right on the freeway. Finally, about 3:30 AM, I was far enough away from the larger towns to be able to pull off onto a side road and finally find a viewing spot: I parked and placed my lawn chaise beside the car, climbed into my sleeping bag, and lay back with a pillow under my head. The sky was pretty clear, although I could see a few diffuse high clouds in a few spots above. Unfortunately, part of my view to the north was blocked by a grove of evergreens. The best meteors I saw, though, were higher in the sky (probably less interference from man-made lights there). Several "shooting stars" had shot by while I was finding the place and getting set up. I stayed there until the sky began to get noticeably lighter at about 5:00 AM. I think I saw about 50 or 60 meteors, about 10 of them quite bright and large. Even as I was packing up and driving off, a couple more flew past the windshield. I had had no sleep whatsoever, but I had no trouble staying awake for the "show." Seeing this spectacle made me realize what I had missed last fall by not being able to find a place to set up a reclining chair during the Leonids. Even with the restrictions I had last fall, that Leonid shower was more spectacular than this summer's Perseid -- especially in terms of the size of the meteors I saw. Both were well worth the trouble, but how I wish I could have found a really good viewing site last November, since it was a one-in-a-hundred-years kind of meteor shower. Genie Remember, it's not too late to try to catch the "falling stars" tonight. |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Bill D Date: 13 Aug 02 - 06:44 PM I saw them in 1975, in a park outside Denver...at about 8500 feet!...had just gone to bed in a campground with sky totally clear and had my head outside a simple tent...when ZIIIPPP..zippp...for a LONG time!wow!....hard to believe there's any left! |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Genie Date: 13 Aug 02 - 07:50 PM Bill, wasn't it an experience like yours that prompted John Denver to write "...Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I've seen it raining fire in the sky ..."? |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Bill D Date: 13 Aug 02 - 08:35 PM hmmm...never a John Denver fan..barely know the song--but it might well, be, 'cause that's what it looked like! |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Penny S. Date: 14 Aug 02 - 05:45 AM Saw a few on the 12th (Cirencester, England),and some faint sporadics from the north, but there was a long period with none, so I packed up. My neighbours were out longer, but I haven't spoken with them yet to see if got better. There was a lot of cloud about, forming and reforming as well as moving across. There will be stragglers for about the next week, if it's like other years- my only consolation in the years when I was camping a long way from the loos was that I usually saw at least one Perseid on the journey in the small hours. I actually saw more satellites than I have seen before - a number in near polar orbits, going north through Cygnus, one going the other way, and a few going west-east. It's getting very busy up there. Penny |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: GUEST,Nobby Date: 14 Aug 02 - 11:50 AM Sat out Monday for 30 mins but far too cloudy saw nothing. Went out again last night SUPERB in 30 mins as I drank my cuppa tea saw eleven ,six of which were big and one VERY BIG. got my chair sorted for tonight hope its clear.This by the way is Chester, England. |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Mark Cohen Date: 15 Aug 02 - 12:59 AM I was in a United jetliner late Tuesday night flying from Washington DC to LA, en route from Providence RI (for a conference on Developmental/Behavioral Pediatrics) back to my new home in Honolulu. I was in an aisle seat, so didn't see anything; the person in the window seat said she saw one or two meteors. Then I wondered if it was actually such a good idea to be "eight miles high" during a meteor shower! Well, I made it back OK, anyway. And Genie, I've been informed that John Denver's line "I've seen it raining fire in the sky" refers to fall streaks when they're glowing at sunset. (Fall streaks, as I once learned from a Seattle meteorologist on the radio, are those "curtains" of rain that start high up and evaporate before they reach the ground.) The person who told me that seemed to know what he was talking about...but then again, maybe he didn't. Aloha, Mark |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Genie Date: 15 Aug 02 - 02:14 PM Dunno, Mark. The person who told me the JD line was about his seeing a meteor shower from up in the Rockies also seemed to be knowledgeable on the subject, so who knows? It's also possible that John had both experiences in mind when he wrote "I've seen it raining fire...". How's this for the ultimate light show? You go out near that really active volcano in Hawaii (is it Kilawea [sp?]?) on a really clear night and watch a meteor shower. Or does the volcano's glow make the sky too light to see the meteors? Genie |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: EBarnacle1 Date: 15 Aug 02 - 03:28 PM Saw a few when we sat up on a friend's porch upstate Tuesday, but nothing to compare with lying on the deck of a sailboat in August of '74. Now that was gorgeous (and relatively early). |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: fogie Date: 16 Aug 02 - 05:37 AM Alas too late, the moon was down and the stars were shining, and not a bloomin perseid in sight from the cricket ground. |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Grab Date: 16 Aug 02 - 09:46 AM No reference to the Berrymans' song?
"From Persyersyersyersyerseus And so on. Graham. |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Genie Date: 17 Aug 02 - 03:09 AM This is a real song, Grab? I love that verse. Where can I find the rest of it? Genie |
|
Subject: RE: Perseid meteors TONIGHT!!!! From: Grab Date: 19 Aug 02 - 11:01 AM Check out Lou and Peter Berryman's CD "House Concert". Also many more extremely, well, *strange* songs on there. Played it on a road trip with a work colleague - I gave it 5 minutes, and watched him look more and more bewildered, then I asked him what he thought. His reply: "That is the wierdest shit I have *ever* heard!" ;-) Graham. |
| Translate Thread |