Cloud Raptor Soaring – Photo: L. Weikel
Streaking Weekend
If you read my post from last night that tracked my failed attempt to glimpse the aurora borealis way down here at 40.4 degrees latitude, you know that the bright spot of that effort was definitely the three meteors I saw streaking through the sky instead. They were quite lovely and long-lasting (as far as shooting stars go), and really did feel like a wonderful consolation prize. The best news, though? We all need to get ready for a streaking weekend.
Lucky for me, a friend and faithful reader of my 1111 Devotion project, Paula, commented on one of my Facebook pages* about the shooting stars I mentioned. She alerted me to the fact that they’re the Geminids.
Shocked
I was shocked. What?! Me, little Miss Celestial Event Broadcaster missed an opportunity to view and recommend a cavalcade of shooting stars? I knew the name Geminids sounded familiar. Surely I must have written about them before?
A quick search of my posts revealed that yes, I had indeed written about the Geminids only seven short weeks ago. Of course, I had to laugh – the post itself was about my foiled effort to view the Orionids back on the evening of October 20th. I may not have seen any meteors that evening, but my research indicated the Geminids should be the best in show of 2020.
I’m ashamed to admit it, but I literally recommended we all mark our calendars for December 13th and 14th, which would be the peek evenings to catch sight of these frequent and flashy sky streaks. And then I promptly forgot to do so.
So, hurray for Paula, for identifying the origin of my three gifts last night – and thereby reminding us all of the even more spectacular opportunity to witness the Geminids this weekend.
A Great Show
If I saw three shootings stars three nights before the event’s peek, just imagine how great they’ll be on Saturday, Sunday, and even Monday evening. I see from this article that they could even streak in different colors!
The particular attribute that I noticed most last night was that they weren’t just quick blips that left me wondering if I’d actually seen them or not. No, they were good, solid arcs across the sky. Brilliant and decently sized as well.
Barring any dreaded cloud cover, the conditions to enjoy the Geminids will be approaching perfection, with the moon being new and thus dark, as opposed to the brilliance of a full moon drowning out the light of the stars. But of course, it’s the potential for cloud cover that so often ruins these otherwise deliciously ripe moments.
Fair Warning
As soon as I post this tonight, I’m going to take a little zip out to see if I can catch a few more streaks before bed this evening. I’m doing this mostly because I just checked The Weather Channel app and it looks like both tomorrow and Sunday night may be hampered somewhat by clouds. But hey, maybe we’ll get lucky. Monday night, however, looks like it could end up being the best night of all.
Finally
Jupiter is continuing to do its best to catch up to Saturn, which again, will culminate on December 21st. Compare their location this evening to that of a few days ago and you can really see the difference.
Saturn (left) and Jupiter, nearing conjunction – Photo: L. Weikel
*I share my blog posts on both of my Facebook pages – Owl Medicine and Owl Medicine Shamanic Healing – as well as on my personal page. If you ever notice a morning when my post hasn’t been delivered to your inbox, check on FB. You can always find it there – and often with even more photos than the email version.
(T-350)