Watch the Perseids Meteor shower August 12, 2008

R9 and I were outside looking up at the sky. We talked a little bit about the Perseids. We spotted a satellite going overhead. Then I saw a good-sized meteor shoot across the sky. Unfortunately R9 had looked away at that instant and missed it.

We looked for others, but didn’t see any. We had to turn in early that night because we had a big road trip the next day.

I don’t see anytime to try again with the work schedule I have laid out, so until next year this is over. Perhaps the Leonids will work better.

As a veteran of star parties, comet watches, and meteor shower get togethers, there is no doubt that the very best way to watch a meteor shower is from a hot tub or hot pool.

Here in California, you can find places out in the country like B & B’s or vacation rentals, or spas with hot water pools or outdoor tubs away from light pollution. It is well worth the extra effort and drive.

We went out to Bodega Bay and the hot tub under the stars. It was a tiny bit misty, making the Milky Way a bit dim. Add to that the very bright waxing moon, and star gazing was not at its best.

We saw some of the most amazing shooting stars ever though. Those bright enough to shine through were phenomenal. One exploded like fireworks after leaving a bright orange tail. Another had a bright blue head and magnificent fiery orange tail.

Pretty amazing.

So meteor shower watchers, seek out that hot water to lounge in. Red wine also a plus. We sang a lot. We were having a really good time.

Thanks Mamakitty for bringing us together on this goal!

sprinkles. I’ll try again next year. A meteor shower is always a worthwhile goal in my eyes!

Living in a semi-rural area, we got a spectacular show, and the spawnling was thrilled.

Too darn tired last night. Plus, i don’t think watching a meteor shower in the city would compare favorably to seeing one from a beach without artificial lighting (which i’ve done).

But I went out…and saw clouds & the beginning of the rain. My Mom & I went & sat by the lake and watched the clouds. We are both pretty sure we saw a couple stars, but no meteors…. I plan to try again soon.

A quiet, clear night in the mountains of western Virginia. And wonderfully cool for an August night, too. Up at 2:00 a.m. and out of the tent to our pre-selected viewing area. We were a bit surprised to realize that we were the only campers up and about for this celestial treat! Oh, what those parents in nearby tents could have shared with their children. The sky was so clear, we could see the Milky Way! We stayed out for about an hour and saw probably 25 beautiful meteors streaking across the sky. Some faint and some incredibly bright! I think if we had gotten up closer to 4 a.m. we might have seen even more but this worked for us. It was cold out there and we were not really prepared for that so after an hour, we retreated to the warmth of our sleeping bags. Still, it was a special night and I am so glad we made this special trip this year! We needed that!

but i met up with 4 friends to look for about half an hour and couldn’t see a single star.

I gathered up four friends and we went to watch the Perseids alongside the Kern River inside the Canyon… what a glorious time.

The moon was so bright, for a while it was almost too bright but then it went behind one of the mountains and the darkness was so beautiful.

The company was great, too – we all reclined on the sandy beach, heads in a circle, and talked and laughed and shared and were transparent with each other covering tons of ground in our topics.

Everyone was glad to have gone and people who had never seen a meteor shower now can say that they can… and I am grateful I pulled folks together to enjoy this event.

I am guessing next year, there will be more folks I know out, someplace, watching. Coryn and Dan may have stayed out there all night, they were so entranced with the entire experience. Jennie got tired at about 1:30 am and I was concerned about my kids so we went home.