Get thee outside tonight or tomorrow night, wrapped up warm, and away from bright lights, towns. Preferably somewhere high up. And sit back and enjoy. Younger son Toby drove his Mum up to Firle Beacon, near Lewes. Perched on the Downs overlooking Newhaven in the distance. Lovely clear night. We saw between 25 and 30 shooting stars in less than 30 minutes! It was coooold.
They are the Geminids, and this is what I just found out, if you are interested:
The Geminids, the last major meteor shower of the year, will peak in intensity on Sunday night/Monday morning. Experts are forecasting up to 100 meteors per hour. Besides meteors, once a year photo opportunities await.
The Geminid Meteors are caused by the Earth racing through a trail of debris from a “extinct” comet called 3200 Phaeton. As the Earth orbits the Sun, it passes through this trail of space junk every December, reaching the thickest stretch of debris on the 13-14th. However, Geminid meteors can be seen over a week before or after that date. The bright streaks of light are caused by small particles of debris hitting the Earth's atmosphere and burning up on entry. The shower gets its name because the meteors seem to radiate from the constellation of Gemini.
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1 comment:
Lovely post. Fabulous, and what a magnificent sight the meteor shower must have been. Firle Beacon a beautiful spot. Both timely reminders that we're not entirely in charge ...
Now feeling horribly nostalgic for mis-spent youth on South Downs - but outweighted by gratitude for the memories so evoked by assocation: thank you.
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