In search of the Leonids

Leonid meteors seen streaking through the sky over Joshua Tree National Park, California. The horizontal streaks captured in this photo are stars or planets.

I thought I was going to develop a stiff neck this morning.

Early this morning I went out of our Fairview home to see the starry night sky in search of shooting stars.

The media reported last night about the Leonid meteor shower, supposed to be one of the most stunning annual meteor showers seen from around the world. It is said to peak early Wednesday morning (Philippine time), November 17, 2009.

The meteors, dubbed “cosmic garbage” are bits of dust particles shed from the repeated passes of a small 2.2 mile dusty comet discovered by two astronomers in the late 19th century and christened Tempel-Tuttle. They are called "Leonids" because they appear to come from the direction of the constellation Leo.

NASA has predicted "20 to 30 meteors per hour over the Americas, and as many as 200 to 300 per hour over Asia."

So feeling like a member of the Taiwanese group F4 of Meteor Garden fame, I gazed into the moonless night sky. During the rather long wait, I remembered I used to stargaze when I was a young kid. As a child, I used to be fascinated with the various planets of the solar system. If I had the aptitude to be a scientist, I surely would have been an astronomer.

The meteor shower at least from my experience, turned out to be a drip. When big clouds finally hovered on top, I decided to call it the night (early morning actually). Tired but not exactly star-crossed.

After more or less an hour of standing in our driveway I was able to see three meteors drop down from the sky. More or less equal the number of planes I also saw twinkling above during that same duration of time. The first and third ones were a bit hazy, probably smaller bits of the famous cosmic speck. The second meteor though brief in its appearance, streaked like a bright white ray of light in the dark sky. No vivid description though could compare with the unique experience of seeing one.

For those who weren’t outside their home early this morning. The following pictures from around the world may give you some perspective.

Leonids meteors are seen shooting through the South Korean sky

The Leonids over Monpelier and Barre, Vermont, U.S.A. on November 18, 2001

Leonid meteors over Beijing, China in November 2001

Three Leonid meteors for the price of an hour’s sleep. To some it may appear like a bad trade off. But the rare enjoyment of appreciating the cosmic wonders of God’s universe was reason enough to do it. More so, the stargazing also made me reminisce and feel like the curious child I was back then. That certainly made it more worth while.

I’m a little sleepy right now.

It must be the stardust in my eyes.

U.N. Climate Change Conference: Bringing hope to Copenhagen

From December 7 to 18 of this year, a historic and crucial United Nations Climate Change Conference among the world’s top leaders will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The world’s fate may well hang in the balance at this conference as our world leaders shall determine how we as a global community will respond to the threats posed by global warming which in turn, effect severe climate changes.

I urge all blog readers to join my cause in bringing hope to the important Copenhagen meeting.

Let’s turn Copenhagen into Hopenhagen!

Become a citizen at http://www.hopenhagen.org/ and sign the Climate Petition at this website.

Also join organizations like 350.org and let the world leaders like US President Barack Obama feel the heat to craft “a fair, ambitious, and binding international climate treaty” in Copenhagen and back in their respective countries, pass and implement sound and significant climate policies enough to reduce carbon dioxide in our atmosphere below the critical 350ppm safe upper limit. One concrete way is to join organization’s massive weekend of action and candlelight vigils during the UN Conference.

Let’s all do our share in protecting our planet…the only home we’ve got.



Addendum: Help stop double counting at Copenhagen

In relation to the Copenhagen conference…..

I just signed a petition to Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who will be hosting the Copenhagen climate negotiations in December.

Many leaders are promising to help people living in extreme poverty adapt to the effects of climate change. This sounds great, but unfortunately, on closer examination, it turns out most of this money could be double counted - it's money that has already been promised as development aid. This double counting is dangerous as it undermines both sustainable international development and a good global deal on clime change. It needs to be exposed and stopped.

As host of the Copenhagen talks, Mr. Rasmussen is one of the people best placed to make this happen.

Please join me in taking action here:

http://one.org/international/actnow/copenhagen/index.html?rc=copenhagenpaste

Together as ONE we can make a difference!

Thanks!

International Call for the Rights and Dignity of the Human Person and the Family

There is nothing more fundamental in our rights as human beings as the right to life.

This God-given right to live begins from the moment of conception to one’s natural death.

Similarly, the family has been the basic and necessary social unit on which all nations and societies are founded and develop.

At present however, both their very concepts and definitions are facing serious attacks from those who seek to redefine them to fit and justify their wrongdoings and hedonistic and secular lifestyles.

Sadly, the United Nations (UN) has often fallen prey to ungodly influences from around the world, a venue they surreptitiously use for promote and institutionalize their wicked agenda.

On the celebration of the 60th year anniversary of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I call on all Christians and everyone who believes in the sanctity of life to unite in defense of the basic right to life and the traditional family.

In this regard, I ask that you join us in supporting a petition to the UN for the Unborn Child and the Family.

An alliance of pro-life and pro-family groups, being led by C-FAM (Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute) will present the petition names to the UN this December. The goal is to get 1 million names!

Please read the petition at this website, and then sign the petition and send the link to everyone you know.

Promote a culture of life and defend the traditional family and the rights of the innocent unborn!

Sign up and be counted. Many thanks and may God bless you!

Trick or treat at the Mall!

Little Ms. Pumpkin and The Count scour the mall for goodies!

Boo!

Every one loves a good scare every now and then. Well…probably not everyone. But a great number of folks around the world including here in the Philippines still have a fun time during Halloween!

Last October 31, my family (except Sonny who opted to stay at home) went to SM Fairview Mall primarily for three reasons: One, to watch the much anticipated posthumous movie of Michael Jackson, “This is It”, two, to buy groceries at SM Hypermart, and three, for Joshua and Faith to join the mall-wide “trick or treat” activity of SM Fairview.

SM Fairview was teeming with kids playing trick or treat

Hordes of children with their parents or guardians were already there when we arrived, hunting the place for their next victims. Some wore fancy scary costumes while others looked quite ordinary. Many held plastic Jack O’ Lantern pails similar to what Joshua and Faith had brought along while some did not.

But all children had the twinkle in their eyes – a desire to get the most goodies they could find from the most number of establishments around.

Burger King was among the willing victims of their playful extortions

After watching Michael Jackson’s last days at the movie theatre (whom Faith simply loved) we decided to have lunch at Congo Grille situated at the mall’s 2nd floor. There we met Abigail, one of Junior’s high school batch mates doing her practicum.

Junior bumped into a high school batch mate Abigail
who was doing her practicum at Congo Grille

Halloween revelers have to eat lunch too!

While Odette waited to transact business at the Globe Telecoms office, I brought the two kids to try out the kiddie cars at another part of the mall. They loved riding so much they had to go for a second ride. Later, they convince their mom to allow them to have they another ride at the kiddie car track.

Joshua and Faith loved the kiddie cars….

….those things that go bump in the night!

The kids show off the 'spoils' of their adventure

I think we all had a fun time today. It was a simple event together but something the kids really enjoyed doing. Even Joshua who had issues with his vampire costume, had no qualms or complaints and was all smiles when being given treats from the various establishments!

I say enjoy your childhood years and kiddie events while you can! It only happens once. Ironic we watched MJ’s movie today. Now there’s a person who would most probably agree with what I’ve been saying.

To all the young ones at heart, this year, and for the years to come…

Happy Halloween!