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Wish upon a star.

August 13th, 2010

Or so the saying goes…and if that star is a shooting star, and you have a wish to make, then now is the time to get outside and look to the heavens because the Perseid Meteor Shower is upon us.

In the northern hemisphere you’re very likely to see at least one shooting star if you have a nice clear sky. According to Nasa, the shower could produce a display of up to 80 meteors per hour!

Best advice says you should find a spot well away from local light sources as this significantly affects your ability to see the fainter shooting stars but worry not if you can’t do that. In the space of about 20 minutes last night, just stood outside the back door of the house with lots of local light pollution, I saw two lovely bright shooting stars streaking off to the south-west.

I’ll be out again tonight, weather and cloud cover permitting, in the hope of seeing some more. Try it yourself…and maybe make a wish. You never know what might happen.

Dean Totally random ,

  1. Mike
    | #1
    Reply | Quote

    Good afternoon Dean,
    Well over here in Canada I too was expecting a nice show and we do live somewhat in the country. For some reason there was nothing out this way it was a nice clear sky but nothing. Also when we had that M class flare seemed everywhere was seeing great northern lights but here…oh well. So your second trip out to see the shooting stars did it work out for you?
    Mike

  2. Dean
    | #2
    Reply | Quote

    Hi Mike and thanks for the comment. Sorry to hear you drew a blank (or two) regards no meteor sightings or auroras. I see all the nice pictures over at SpaceWeather.com and I do envy those far enough north to see the Northern Lights. Sounds like it’s not quite as easy as that though.

    My second attempt at seeing more of the Perseids was a bit of a damp squib affair. Lots of rain through the day and clouds never cleared so no chance of seeing anything.

    I read yesterday that activity had picked up again but I didn’t have a look myself last night. If that report was accurate you might yet see something before this year’s shower is over. Good luck!

    I’ve added your blog to my links - interesting reading about your antenna restrictions. You have my total sympathy.

    All the best,
    Dean

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