Think back to a night when you were small.
Maybe you were wrapped in a blanket in the backyard, or lying in the grass at the edge of a field, or leaning against a car on a quiet country road. The air was cool. Someone beside you said, "Keep watching. Give it a minute." And then, all at once, a thin streak of light slid across the dark.
"Quick," they whispered. "Make a wish."
A little piece of Halley's Comet
This month, the sky is offering that same small magic. Every October, Earth passes through a stretch of space scattered with dust and rocky bits shed by Halley's Comet. When those tiny pieces meet our atmosphere, they flash across the sky as shooting stars. This is the Orionid meteor shower, and NASA calls it one of the most beautiful showers of the year.
The Orionids peaked on the night of October 21–22, but they don't stop all at once. NASA lists them as active until November 7. The moon will be full around October 25–26, and its glow can hide the fainter streaks for a few nights, so you may need a little extra patience. Orionids are known for their brightness and their speed, though, so it's still worth a look.
Here's a thought to hold onto. Halley's Comet itself was last seen by casual observers in 1986, and it won't come back to the inner solar system until 2061. Some of us remember it. Many of us are still waiting for it. But every October, the little pieces it left behind come back to say hello.
The wish, and the person beside you
Do you remember what you wished for that first time? Maybe it was a puppy, a bike, a snow day, or for someone you loved to feel better. Maybe it was a secret you never told anyone, because everybody knows a wish doesn't come true if you say it out loud.
Funny thing is, many of us remember who was with us more clearly than the wish itself. A grandmother who knew the names of the stars. A grandfather who carried out the folding chairs. A parent who let you stay up past bedtime because this was worth it. Somebody who taught you that looking up is a good way to spend a night.
That might be the real gift of a shooting star. It lasts only a second, but it gives two people a reason to sit close together in the dark, quiet and hopeful, waiting for the same thing.
How to look up together
If you'd like to try catching a few Orionids with someone you love, NASA's viewing tips are simple:
- Go out in the hours after midnight. The show lasts until dawn, so there's plenty of time.
- Find a spot well away from city and street lights.
- Bring a blanket, a sleeping bag, or a lawn chair, lie back, and take in as much of the sky as you can.
- Give your eyes time. After less than 30 minutes in the dark, they adjust and you'll begin to see meteors.
- Don't stare at just one spot. Orionids can appear anywhere across the night sky.
And bring a wish, just in case.
If the clouds roll in or bedtime wins, that's okay too. Ten minutes on the back step, pointing out the brightest star and telling a child about your first shooting star, is its own kind of magic.
Your turn
So, do you remember the first wish you ever made on a shooting star? Who was with you, and where were you looking up from? We'd genuinely love to hear your story.
And if you enjoy wonders in the sky, you might like the morning a Star Stone seemed to fly over Florida.
Keep looking up, and keep dreaming.
Sources: NASA Science, Orionids. Full moon dates: Space.com.
Looking for more to enjoy together? Our free games are made for all ages, including memory games, word games, and a fun way to practice your intuition. You'll also find more uplifting articles, plus Memory Tips & Tricks, at LiveToDream.com.
The illustration is original LiveToDream art. LiveToDream is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.
By G Fuzes · More articles