Missed!

The early-rising neighbor across the street had already turned on her porch light, when I (braving the icy air to fetch the morning paper) saw from the corner of my eye a brief flash streaking across the sky. I had forgotten, for the second night in a row, that this is the time of the Leonid meteor shower (AKA the Ass-freezing meteor shower.) The peak was early Wednesday morning, and the flash I spotted was a stray. Because the porch light was on, the sky was a bit washed out, but after watching a bit longer, I did see another meteor streak overhead.

Fortunately, there are two minor peaks of the shower expected this coming night, as the earth passes through the residue left by the 1333 and 1733 trails of the comet. The first, at about 10:42 pm PST will occur before the half moon has set, but the second will not arrive until about 1:49 am PST. Friday is expected to be cloudy, so the chances of fully clear sky late tonight are iffy. Still, I intend to remember this time!

But, oy, it is cold out there, even for November!

Occlusion

A gathering of clouds has veiled the moon, and now darken as it sets. A few starry patches remain, but are too small to reveal much sky. I doubt that I will see meteors tonight. The Leonids are seldom visible here, where November clouds are the norm. It is but a small disappointment, and leaves me none the worse.

Some verse:

Music, When Soft Voices Die

by Percy Shelley


Music, when soft voices die,
Vibrates in the memory--
Odours, when sweet violets sicken,
Live within the sense they quicken.

Rose leaves, when the rose is dead,
Are heap'd for the beloved's bed;
And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,
Love itself shall slumber on.