Posted by Anonymous on Oct 24, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
Has anyone ever witnessed a falling star?
Posted by Meggs on Oct 24, 2007 · Member since Jun 2007 · 3572 posts
A "falling star" or a "shooting star" has nothing at all to do with a star! These amazing streaks of light you can sometimes see in the night sky are caused by tiny bits of dust and rock called meteoroids falling into the Earth's atmosphere and burning up. The short-lived trail of light the burning meteoroid produces is called a meteor. Meteors are commonly called falling stars or shooting stars. If any part of the meteoroid survives burning up and actually hits the Earth, that remaining bit is then called a meteorite.
Posted by queen bee on Oct 24, 2007 · Member since May 2007 · 352 posts
ooh, yes, i have. well, as ms. astronomically-intelligent meggs says, i've witnessed many-a flamed up meteor. in fact, my bday (in mid august) coincides with a pretty spectacular meteor shower (at least it has several times that i've noticed) and i spent one year lying on my back on the shores of lake tahoe watching meteor after meteor zip through the sky. so beautiful and amazing. makes me happy to be in this universe!!
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Posted by LucidAnne on Oct 24, 2007 · Member since Jun 2006 · 1564 posts
meggs, you just skooled my a**! :)
once, i was out w/ my favorite ppl, at my favorite place in the world, lying in the dewy grass and i saw this thing fly all the way across the sky, from one side of my peripheral vision, clear to the other side.... i thought someone had thrown a ball over us. turned out it was the perfect arc of a shooting star er, dust. (flying dust particles dont sound so romantic) amazing though. i didnt know it was a hot night for meteors that night, so it was a wonderrful surprise!! ::)
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Posted by Meggs on Oct 24, 2007 · Member since Jun 2007 · 3572 posts
I just googled. Nothing special.
I love astronomy. There are such beautiful pictures of crazy things out there in space.
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Posted by hespedal on Oct 24, 2007 · Member since Mar 2006 · 5259 posts
many times. i feel sorry for those who say they never have. i don't think they stargaze enough.
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Posted by Meggs on Oct 24, 2007 · Member since Jun 2007 · 3572 posts
I have wanted a telescope for christmas for the past ten years. :(
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Posted by catkin on Oct 25, 2007 · Member since Aug 2007 · 126 posts
We canooed (spelling?) down the Ardeche river in the south of France one year and bivouaced on a hill overnight. Couldn't sleep for hours just looking at the sky - hundreds of them (well maybe tens) and so amazingly beautiful. What a world we live in.
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Posted by notquitevegan on Oct 25, 2007 · Member since Sep 2007 · 202 posts
Yes, many times...and I always make a wish. ::)
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Posted by Anonymous on Oct 25, 2007 · Member since Dec 1969 · 11789 posts
I wish I could've witnessed one. I can just imagine how nice it would be.
A "falling star" or a "shooting star" has nothing at all to do with a star! These amazing streaks of light you can sometimes see in the night sky are caused by tiny bits of dust and rock called meteoroids falling into the Earth's atmosphere and burning up. The short-lived trail of light the burning meteoroid produces is called a meteor. Meteors are commonly called falling stars or shooting stars. If any part of the meteoroid survives burning up and actually hits the Earth, that remaining bit is then called a meteorite.
from: http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question12.html
And yes, I have.
ooh, yes, i have. well, as ms. astronomically-intelligent meggs says, i've witnessed many-a flamed up meteor. in fact, my bday (in mid august) coincides with a pretty spectacular meteor shower (at least it has several times that i've noticed) and i spent one year lying on my back on the shores of lake tahoe watching meteor after meteor zip through the sky. so beautiful and amazing. makes me happy to be in this universe!!
meggs, you just skooled my a**! :)
once, i was out w/ my favorite ppl, at my favorite place in the world, lying in the dewy grass and i saw this thing fly all the way across the sky, from one side of my peripheral vision, clear to the other side.... i thought someone had thrown a ball over us. turned out it was the perfect arc of a shooting star er, dust. (flying dust particles dont sound so romantic)
amazing though. i didnt know it was a hot night for meteors that night, so it was a wonderrful surprise!! ::)
I just googled. Nothing special.
I love astronomy. There are such beautiful pictures of crazy things out there in space.
many times. i feel sorry for those who say they never have. i don't think they stargaze enough.
Hubble has great pics.
http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/
I have wanted a telescope for christmas for the past ten years. :(
We canooed (spelling?) down the Ardeche river in the south of France one year and bivouaced on a hill overnight. Couldn't sleep for hours just looking at the sky - hundreds of them (well maybe tens) and so amazingly beautiful. What a world we live in.
Yes, many times...and I always make a wish. ::)
I wish I could've witnessed one. I can just imagine how nice it would be.
I've never seen one. :( I've even spent time watching the sky for them and sometimes someone will be like oh theres one! but I miss it.
Yes, I go looking for them when they announce there's going to be a meteor shower.
What I've never seen and really want to is the Aurora Borealis!!! :(
What's also really amazing is a full eclipse of the moon away from any city lights. You can't even see your hand touching your face. :o
I've never seen one. :( I've even spent time watching the sky for them and sometimes someone will be like oh theres one! but I miss it.
noooo... you live a sad, unfulfilled life.
Thought you might find this interesting.
http://www.spaceweather.com/
Thought you might find this interesting.
http://www.spaceweather.com/
Neat!