Astronomy Toadfish Nerds Unite!

[Aggie]

Sounds the same as here - fine ice crystals, just a veil to shroud Luna's face.

[pieces o nine]

Women Who Run with the Wolf Moon   

[Sibling DavidH]

Sir Humph would like to say a word on this topic:

  In Soothe I knowe not, what may bee thys WOLF MOON, of whych ye speake.  Butt in my tyme wee hadde CANDLEMASSE DAY, whych I suppose may bee y^e  same Thynge.  David telleth mee, ye bee of a REBELL COLONIE, which hath growne up across y^ee SEA in Virginia, and thus it is, thatte ye knowe no better.

I remayne,
Yr Most Humble & Obt Svt,
Humphrey Gryblynge, Bart.

[Opsa]

Dear Sir Humphrey,

Some of us have indeed heard of Candlemas, as English settlers brought over some of the traditions from Europe. The "Wolf Moon" is a traditional name for the first full moon of the year, according to some of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. We tend to swing both ways, here, as it were.

Humbly,
Sibling Opsa

[Sibling DavidH]

Sir Humph says,

I fear, I have misjudg'd you.  'Twas my ignorance, of y^e Customs, of yr lande.
I remayne Yr Obt Svt,
Humphrey Gryblynge

[Opsa]

It's quite all right, given the circumstances.

[Sibling DavidH]

Sir H is pestering me for the laptop.
I had Hearde, there were none butt Ignorant SAVIDGES in that COLONIE.  But I now am Toald, ye have a Civilysed REPUBLICKE, which signifieth, ye proceede just as we, but change yr KINGE every foure or eighte YEERS and calle hym, by an other NAME.  Wh^ch were goode, if ye hadde a Kynge like unto our JAMES.  But they saye, yr last was a moast Ignorant SAVIDGE, so not all is chang'd.
I remayne,
Yr True Frende, (as I thynke, I may now Saye in thyss Place)
Humphrey Gryblynge.

[Opsa]

Plan your Perseids Parties now! I just found this on the EarthSky website:

"August 12 and 13, 2010 Perseids
And when we say August 12 or 13, we mean the morning hours after midnight ... not that night. These typically fast and bright meteors radiate from a point in the constellation Perseus the Hero. But you don't need to know Perseus to watch the shower. The meteors appear in all parts of the sky. The Perseids are considered by many people to be the year's best shower, and often peak at 50 or more meteors per hour. 2010 is a great year for the Perseids. This year, the slender waxing crescent moon will set at early evening, leaving a dark sky for this year's Perseid show. The Perseids tend to strengthen in number as late night deepens into midnight, and typically produce the most meteors in the wee hours before dawn. These meteors are often bright and frequently leave persistent trains. On the mornings of August 12 and 13, watch the Perseid meteors streak across this short summer night from midnight until dawn. Lie back and watch meteors until dawn's light washes the stars and planets from the sky. The morning of August 11 should be good, too – in fact, this shower tends to rise gradually to a peak for about a week. Then it's known to drop off rapidly after the peak mornings."

It's looking good!

[Swatopluk]

I can already make the weather forecast for Berlin for these days: clouds, clouds clouds (as in the last x years)

[Opsa]

We tend to have a lot of haze in the sky here in August, even when it's clear, but some years we luck out, and can enjoy the Perseids. We have friends that have just built a nice deck and we're helping them plan a party around the Perseids to celebrate its completion.

[Aggie]

Hopefully will be sitting in a natural hot pool in Idaho for these ones...!

[Sibling DavidH]

Dang the village street-lights - we have to go to the top of the hill.  We generally sit in a field for a while.

[anthrobabe]

I do believe i've heard something about the Southern Aquarids (spelling?) tonight and tomorrow night--- need to check Earth and sky online.

[Opsa]

Hey, you were right, A'Babe! The Southern Delta Aquarids peaked last night. We were too cloudy to see them, here, but I'll check for strays tonight.

Thank you!

[anthrobabe]

I think I saw a few strays myself-- but even at night it is simply too humid to be out for the bugs to snack on.