Time For A Meteor Shower!

Oh yeah, it's that time of year again. Perseid meteor shower time.

For those of us who are fortunate enough to live out in the country, it's an opportunity to watch a great light show. You can still see some of them from town, but tall buildings and light scatter will lower the number of meteors that will be visible to you.

Look Northeast, anytime after midnight. You'll see meteors all night, up until dawn. The best days this year will be around the 12th of August. Just before dawn on the 12th is supposed to be the best time.

I'll probably park the pickup truck out in the field, put a 4x8 foot piece of plywood in it and block it up at an angle. Put down a layer of foam (or an air mattress), then toss a sleeping bag on top of it. This keeps me off the ground (which will get damp and cold, even in the summer) and it's much more comfortable than lying in a lawn chair. Bring along your favorite refreshing beverage and settle back. This can easily turn into an all night thing, but it's worth it!

Just remember that any fires, lights, etc. will ruin your night vision and cut down on your ability to see the meteors.

A few years back, there were numerous fireballs that came in. When they exploded they cast shadows! An impressive sight in the middle of the night.

If you can talk your favorite squeeze into doing this, it just might be a 'night to remember'!