Cloud Cover

I managed to have an hour outside on Saturday night with a clear sky in which to see the Perseids. Despite the claims that the meteor shower has a broad peak, in that hour I only managed to spot 15 meteors, and five of those weren’t Perseids. In fact, one of the five was the most spectacular of the night – a slowish-moving meteor with a double fireball as it fell.

 

Last night was the peak of the Perseids. And of course, last night the clouds rolled in. In 90 minutes of frustrated viewing, peering through the occasional clear patch, I managed to see just two Perseids. So much for the predicted 60-80 per hour. At least I’m not the only one who was frustrated; Justin didn’t seem to have much fun either. But at least I didn’t have to put up with a shower of idiots on the ground as he did, just the occasional screech of an owl, and the croak of a frog or two.