This is change of pace! Usually when you read about flashing lights in the sky, people hop on the UFO band wagon and go cry wolf.
But last Friday night, it would seem that when flashing lights were spotted in the skies over Blair County, PA, people were calling in a plane crash.
Turns out after several hours of searching, the FAA determined that the reports were probably sparked by a meteor shower that was taking place over Pennsylvania.
It’s cool that people took the time to call in, that’s for sure.
source: WRTA.com.
They say that the Quantrantid meteor shower is one of the biggest meteor shows of the year. We just don’t realize it because of the average inclement weather in January… and there are those with with some serious hangover issues still pounding in one’s head!
On January 3rd and 4th, the Quantrantid meteor shower will be scorching through our atmosphere with their bright blue streaks.
They’re very fast, covering 25 miles across the sky in a second.
They have a quick peak around midnight so if you’re up to it, have enough cold weather gear to wrap up with, have no overcast and don’t have to get up too extremely early the next day, then heck, check it out!
source: Philly Examiner.
The Geminids appear to come from the the constellation Gemini, hence the name.
They start to appear around the 6th of December and peak around the 13th or 14th, where you may see 50 to 80 meteors an hour.
The Southern Hemisphere dwellers are at a disadvantage and won’t see many.
For the Northern Hemisphere folks, looking a bit towards the East, if you find where the Gemini constellation is, half your battle is over.
Or as I like to do, drive to a dark spot with a blanket, pitch your lawn chair, put on the bug repellent, lay back, stare up and just hang out and wait.
I’ve been lucky enough once to have a meteor come low enough over my head that I heard it and it sounded liked crackling bacon. It was an awesome experience.
Good luck gang!
references: Stardate, Meteor Showers Online.
This November, we have 2 meteor showers to ponder observing, if you’re so inclined!
The first one is the Taurid meteor shower that begins around November 4th and peaks on November 11th. it won’t be a busy shower, with a peak of approximately 8 meteors per hour.
The second meteor shower is the Leonid meteor shower. Or referenced as the Leonids. This shower will peak around November 17th to 18th. There will be little or no moonlight so it should be a good show.
sources: StarDate Online, Meteor Blog,
