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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on April 09, 2010, 02:40

Title: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: sam on April 09, 2010, 02:40
Quote
You know them as "shooting stars," or meteors. Space scientists know them as the fiery end of tiny visitors from space. Those momentary streaks of light across the night sky are nothing more than small to almost-microscopic pieces of space debris whose trip through the void has ended in a kamikaze run into Earth's atmosphere. Of course, with 100 tons of space rock and rubble bombarding the planet each and every day, you'd think you could stick your head out the window any night of the week and easily catch a glimpse of a space rock's final moments.


http://www.physorg.com/news189971590.html
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Clive on April 09, 2010, 09:54
Always remember you will stand a far greater chance of seeing a meteor during certain nights of the year when Earth passes through a stream of comet debris.  A list of those dates can be found HERE (http://www.theskyscrapers.org/meteors/)
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Rik on April 09, 2010, 09:57
Unless, of course, you include rappers...  ;D
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Clive on April 09, 2010, 10:12
 :arf:
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Rik on April 09, 2010, 10:15
 ;D
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Simon on April 09, 2010, 19:02
I've only ever seen one, and that was while camping in Wareham, Dorset, about 20 years ago!
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Rik on April 09, 2010, 19:08
Where? ;D
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Simon on April 09, 2010, 19:11
ham, yes.  :)
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Rik on April 09, 2010, 19:20
DR? ;)
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Simon on April 09, 2010, 19:32
Not since the last time.   :)
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Rik on April 09, 2010, 19:40
Want another recommendation?
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Simon on April 09, 2010, 19:54
 :bawl:
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Rodders on April 10, 2010, 00:29
Let me see if I understand this correctly.  You want me to stand outside while a shower of white-hot rocks plummet down at thousands-of-miles-per-hour...  Would you be terribly disappointed if I said 'No'?
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Clive on April 10, 2010, 09:46
They say nobody has ever been killed by one yet.  But there is always a first! 
Title: Re: Shooting for Shooting Stars
Post by: Simon on April 10, 2010, 11:16
You could go down in history, as well as molten rock, Rod.  They wouldn't need to buy a gravestone!  ;D