General Chat

Will lock front door first so I don't get burgled, pmsl.

Which direction are we supposed to be looking.......other than upwards.? Gwyn

Well I cant see a thing and its cold! Am going to google, not sure 10pm is right!

let us know babe Jan x

From The Sunday TimesJune 3, 2007 This year's meteor shower The Perseid meteor shower in August will be the greatest for years. Where will you be between midnight and 4am on August 13? If you plan to be tucked up in bed with the curtains drawn, think again, because you might be missing out on a truly cosmic experience – a rare unspoilt view of a spectacular meteor shower. There is something magical about catching sight of a shooting star as it streaks across the night sky. So imagine the thrill of looking up to see dozens – maybe hundreds – of shooting stars as they rain down from the darkness. That’s what will happen on the second weekend of August, when the Perseid meteor shower hits earth. At the height of the action, a shooting star will light up the night sky every few seconds. This astonishing natural firework display occurs as the earth passes through a trail of debris left by the comet Swift-Tuttle, which last swung into our solar system in 1992. Tiny grains of dust and ice will collide with the earth’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 30 miles per second, each creating an arc of incandescent light. The phenomenon occurs every year, but 2007 will be special because the arrival of the Perseids will coincide with a new moon. Usually, moonlight makes it difficult for the human eye to pick out most of the individual meteors, but against a velvety-black sky the display will be mind-blowing. To view the Perseids, you don’t need any special equipment or expertise, but you do need to get as far as possible from the light pollution that blights much of modern Britain. With the meteors visible across large parts of the northern hemisphere, it’s worth plotting your whereabouts: countryside or beach; the Highlands of Scotland or the Greek islands? Dr Francisco Diego, an astronomer at University College London, suggests heading south for longer nights and increased chances of cloudless skies. “Almost anywhere in the Mediterranean should be ideal, as long as you are away from artificial light,” he says. “Morocco and Tunisia would also be wonderful.” Diego will be in the Canaries to accompany a group of 20 astro-tourists, who will spend three nights on the island of La Palma, viewing the meteors from the rim of an extinct volcano, the site of one of the world’s most important observatories.

Ooh that's long!! So between midnight and 4am apparently.

wish I was with Diego in the canaries instead of here in the Midlands LOL Joy

On the BBC news site I found this..... Both hemispheres will receive good views but the prime locations will be Western Europe and North America. Watchers will get the best of the display from about 2200 BST (2100 GMT) on Sunday 12 August, which will peak just before sunrise on Monday 13 August. Gwyn

Please post if you see them. It is clear enough here, I think but we are on the flight path to London, so too many planes just now. Gwyn

after all my patience staring at the night sky... i saw one star shoot across the sky and quickly burn out.. i may just stay up till midnight and hope i see a few more. Julie x

Well done Julie. Which direction was that? I have seen them towards the south, south-east before....Is it the same tonight? I have a skylight above my head and keep peering out. Gwyn

Hi Gwyn, I live in brighton it was heading north towards Lewes. Julie x

(((hugs anywayRS))))))

Just had a look in telescope,,,minor ones are starting to enter now,,,,,, South/West,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Cumbria is very cloudy, Caz x

Clear night here, lovely stars. We're overlooking farmland so not much light pollution. Saw three areoplanes, hubby found it vaguely amusing that I was stood in the garden in a bah towel going 'Ooh theres one! And another!' He was going, erm yeah, aeroplanes...

Joanne You will know if you see them. A star literally shoots across the sky then fades. Gwyn

Joanne, Imagine a laser light flashing across the sky,,,high up......

time to go out into the garden n look skywards

Any luck? I can see twinkling stars and planes, not much else.