Even though I'm a little late to talk about it, it's time for the annual Quadrantid Meteor Shower. Technically, the peak of the meteor shower was last night to early this morning (January 2-3, 2014), but in case you missed it, its worth taking a look at the night sky tonight (the evening of January 3, 2014 to early morning January 4, 2014) as meteors don't operate on a set schedule or timeframe. This year, the Quadrantid's are easier to see as there the moon is a new moon, meaning that it is not visible in the night sky. If you're going to take a look tonight, first, bundle up as it is quite cold in a majority of the United States, and second, look toward the North-Northeast from midnight to dawn. If you're lucky, you'll see the only meteors falling through Earth's atmosphere that are named after an obsolete constellation. Good luck!
Geminid Meteor Shower, December 12-15, 2013
Good news everyone! It's time to train our eyes upward and see if we can see the annual Geminid Meteor Shower streaking across the nighttime sky. The Geminids are caused by the asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which is a rock comet. The meteors that burn up in Earth's atmosphere are parts of 3200 Phaethon that have broken off due to thermal fracturing. This makes the Geminids one of two major meteor showers to not originate from a comet (the second major meteor shower to not originate from a comet are the Quadrantids). Although the Geminids are generally considered one of the best yearly meteor showers, this year the shower will be slightly obscured by the moon.
According to the experts, the best time to watch the Geminid Meteor Shower will be after midnight on December 13, 2013, and December 14, 2013. While the waxing moon will illuminate the night sky, many of the Geminids are so bright that the moonlight cannot and will not obscure their fiery trails. If you are concerned about not seeing any of the Geminids because of the waxing moon, there will also be a period of darkness between moonset and dawn during which the shower will likely be particularly visible, but bear in mind that this period of time will be between 4:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., depending on your location! While the early morning hours of December 13 and 14th, 2013 will be the best times to view the shower, it's worth noting that the shower has already begun, as evidenced by the large Geminid that streaked over Tucson last night! In this respect, from this point on, there is a chance to see the Geminids anytime after 10 p.m. on the nights of December 12, 13, 14, and probably even on December 15. (More information on observing the Geminids here, here, and here.)
As always, you can rest assured that I will be outside watching the Geminids, because I love meteor showers. If you're interested in seeing a meteor shower for the first time, let me provide you with three handy tips: 1) Get outside. Cities provide a lot of light pollution, which makes it harder to see everything in the night sky, including the Geminids. 2) Be patient. Allow your eyes time to adjust to the dark; sit back; relax, and enjoy watching the universe move in inscrutable and beautiful ways. 3) Have fun! Bring food, drinks, and plenty of blankets and pillows to stay comfortable and warm.
Interested in science? You might like this NASA app HERE.
Perseid Meteor Shower, August 11-12, 2013
Good news everyone! It's time to train our eyes upward and see if we can see the sons of Perseus streaking across the nighttime sky. That's right - I am talking about watching the annual Perseid Meteor Shower, which is occurring this weekend - August 11-12, 2013. According to the experts, the Perseid Meteor Shower is going to be one of the best - if not the best - meteor showers of 2013 as there will be no Moon in the nighttime sky this weekend. The Perseids are always a great meteor shower to watch, as they are one of the larger showers that have been observed from 36 A.D. onward, and the origin of the meteors is the Swift-Tuttle comet. Since there will be no Moon during the Perseids this year, many astronomers have estimated that during the peak time - from 10:00 p.m. on August 11, 2013 to 4:30 a.m. on August 12, 2013, skywatchers can expect to see 80-100 meteors scorch the sky per hour. If that isn't enough to get you outside to take a look, I don't know what is! (More information on observing the Perseids here, here, and here; and if you're interested in photographing the Perseids, click here).
As always, you can rest assured that I will be outside watching the Perseids, because I love meteor showers. If you're interested in seeing a meteor shower for the first time, let me provide you with three handy tips: 1) Get outside. Cities provide a lot of light pollution, which makes it harder to see everything in the night sky, including the Perseids. 2) Be patient. While this might not be as important for a busy shower like the Perseids, it is applicable. Allow your eyes time to adjust to the dark; sit back; relax, and enjoy watching the universe move in inscrutable and beautiful ways. 3) Have fun! Bring food, drinks, and plenty of blankets and pillows to stay comfortable and warm.
Interested in science? You might like this NASA app HERE; and about the dust passing through our atmosphere during the shower here.
2013 Quadrantid Meteor Shower, January 3, 2013
Good news everybody! We made it, and survived all of the doom and gloom predictions regarding 2012…to experience more doom and gloom predictions regarding 2013 (to read about those, click HERE). So, before the sun purportedly burns us all to a crisp (which it won’t), tonight is a great chance to start off the new year by watching the annual Quadrantid Meteor Shower. In 2012, the Quadrantid’s put on quite a show – however, this year, the shower may be slightly obscured by a semi-bright moon. According to NASA, the best time to view the Quadrantid’s is from 3 a.m. to dawn, no matter where your location is. (Information HERE). If that’s not enough information for you, there’s information HERE, HERE, and HERE, about the annual shower, and as always, if you’d like to help NASA out, check out this app for your smartphones HERE.
Myths and Legends of Mt. Shasta
At 14,180 feet, Mount Shasta is an impressive volcano and mountain. It is the second tallest mountain in the Cascade Range; and it is the fifth tallest mountain in all of California. Every year, tens of thousands of people come to hike, camp, backpack, ski, snowshoe, and otherwise experience everything the mountain has to offer. But the mountain isn't all about leg crunching pain, boiling water and wilderness experiences. Unlike the other mountains in the Cascade Range, Mount Shasta is a mystical location that may or may not have a myriad of strange creatures; and may or may not have a hollow core. One thing is for certain, however: Mount Shasta is the premier mountain in the United States to possibly experience the most weird things at; including, but not limited to the top six items here.