A few nights ago I saw a falling star, like you do, out of the corner of my eye whilst driving. I meant to research the phenomena but forgot. Then early this morning, about half past five I saw another from the shower room window.
I gazed at the spot for a while and then saw a smaller streak of light across the sky. Amazing. I stumbled downstairs in the dark and found the small binoculars and took them back up to gaze, but there wasn’t enough light for them to help. (They are only fairly low magnification and are kept on the kitchen window sill since I saw a sparrow hawk in the silver birch, a lesser spotted woodpecker on the nuts and a nuthatch climbing up the fence, all in quick succession. Not really for star-gazing.)
There was a strange effect in my eyes which I think I can explain.
Around the area where I had seen the streaks of light (meteors, really, not falling or shooting stars) I could see a cluster of light… but not when I looked directly at it. I could see it better if I focused on something to the side. I presume this is because the peripheral vision is better at black and white and movement detection, while the central vision is colour sensitive, due to the cones (light-sensitive nerve cells.) These cones are concentrated at the macula,and they are sensitive to light, fine detail, and colour.
Anyhoo I have been dotting about on the net this morning, as you do, looking up the meteor shower and discovered they were probably the ‘Phoenicids’ which are around from Nov 28 – Dec 9 (max on 6th) http://www.meteorblog.com/ however I won’t be getting up deliberately to watch them in the next couple of weeks. It will just have to be opportunistic viewing. In fact, now they have all gone to work and school bus respectively and I’m not working today, I may even go back to bed with a coffee for half an hour. I have a book to finish reading.
Boadicea's Chariot 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tajBnqnJDpI
Pseu, I do not mean to be funny, but if you haven’t had your eyes checked recently, it may be an idea. Seeing sudden flashes out of the corner of your eyes can be one of the first signs of retinal detachment and some other eye problems. Of course if friends/family are seeing exactly the same thing at the same time, you can be certain that they are falling stars. I had intra-ocular lens replacements for both eyes earlier in the year when they removed my lenses to cure cataracts, and initially, every now and again, particularly in darkness looking at light, I saw a reflection off the corona of one or other of the artificial lenses – quite alarming until I realized what it was!
“The chances of anything coming from Mars, are a million to one they said….
…But still they come.”
Quick everyone to the ships! Women and children first, after me! Steer clear of Horsell Common and don’t believe a word that artillery man wot sounds like David Essex tells you, he’s as crazy as a bucket of frogs.
Thanks for the concern CWJ, but I have had eyes checked recently! They were def meteors, even if I didn’t wake anyone else up to validate them!!!
Must’ve been very strange to see those reflections in your own eye.
Calm down Ferret its only a meteor shower.
Pah! Nym,
Thats almost exactly what Ogilvy the Astronomer said.
We’re all doomed!
I am relieved for your sake that they really were meteors, and hope it caused no offence suggesting you have your eyes checked! I keep hoping to glimpse the Aurora Borealis again from 57 degrees 43 north…
I’m glad your eyes are ok but this story does ring a bell. If any strange looking plants in your garden suddenly start to stroll round arm in arm, lock your doors and windows, sea water does for them if things get out of hand though.
OMG,
Sea water?
Tell that to the brave captain and crew of the Thunderchild. 😦
‘Day of the Triffids’
H.G Wells preferred the microbes.
I know OMG.
But I was determined to stick with Wells not Wyndham.
For a start those overgrown monsteras didn’t have the heat ray.
Crikey
What is 5.30 am?
Does it exist?
Forget the optometrist you might see a cognitive therapist though!!
Why?
Good on you, Pseu. Down here there is little or no light pollution and so meteor showers, particulsrly the Perseids on a clear, moonless night in August, can be spectacular. Not only that, there are man-made satellites, the Milky Way, blue stars, red stars, constellations and all sorts of stuff going on. The night sky is a busy place, but quite beautiful, peaceful (from this distance) and completely fascinating.
OZ
From http://www.2shrop.net/2shropnet/AToZOfMini-sites/C/CampaignToProtectRuralEnglandCpre/Campaigns/LightPollution
II. What is Light Pollution?
Light pollution is every form of artificial light which shines outside the areas it is intended to illuminate.
This includes all light which is directed or “leaks” above the horizontal into the night sky or which causes glare or other nuisance.
There are different types of light pollution:
1. Sky Glow: The orange glow we see over towns and cities caused by upwardly directed or reflected light. This can often be seen from rural areas many miles away.
2. Light Trespass: Any light shining where it is not needed or wanted. Examples include street lights shining into gardens and windows of adjacent houses.
3. Glare or Dazzle: Excessively bright and misdirected light can cause discomfort or danger.
See here too:
http://www.rocketroberts.com/astro/litepol.htm
Somewhere it suggest 100 miles away from a city to get away from light pollution! Crikey