During the Lija fireworks on the night of 5th of August - a bright and clear shooting star was seen over Birkirkara from the north side - it seemed so near and the colour was amazing - all of us watching the fireworks saw it and at first we thought it was part of the fireworks...but soon we realised it was not from the fields where the display was being set off. Actually the flame came right through the sky, it was beautiful to watch.
This year's Perseid meteor shower, known to many as the Tears of St. Lawrence, or Dmugħ ta' San Lawrenz, will peak on Wednesday-Thursday night and taper off till about August 15th.
Earth is still inside the debris stream of Comet Swift-Tuttle and, as a result, the Perseid meteor shower is still active. So if it's dark where you live, go outside and look for meteors. Try to avoid other sources of light in order to get the best views. Moonlight will interfere with the display, but not ruin it. Face away from it and look towards the northeast.
Not every light that streaks across the night sky is a Perseid. Some of them could even be spy satellites!
The Astronomical Society of Malta is holding an observation session at Irdum tal-Madonna, L-Ahrax, limits of Mellieha, starting at 9 p.m. today Wednesday. The public is invited to attend.
Wherever you are I hope you will be able to catch a few of the hundreds that will be visible.
Enjoy the spectacle!
P.S. Here is a link to some photos (3 pages) of the meteor shower of this year:
http://spaceweather.com/meteors/gallery_12aug09.htm
UPDATE: Just before going to bed last night or early this morning since it was around 2am, I rolled up our bedroom blind to get a better view of the skies from our bed and I was thrilled to see one more shooting star (could be two as they were going in different directions but close together). My son also saw another two at around the same time. So I guess it was worth the wait.
Around 5am this morning, I was up and looked at the skies again. I could see the early light of dawn and nothing was moving at first, then I think I saw some flashes of light but I don't know whether it was just my sleepy eyes or whether I had been dreaming!
I do hope many of you were able to see part of the meteor shower ~
It is when we notice and appreciate these things
that our everyday life becomes an adventure!
