The magic of shooting stars has fascinated since the dawn of time: children, young and old entrust the cosmos with their dreams, wishes, trusting that everything can come true on the most magical night of the year. The best known event is the “Tears of St. Lawrence,” a shower of stars that occurs around the first half of August, so named in memory of the saint martyred on August 10, 258.
The night of St. Lawrence and shooting stars
Poets and artists have always celebrated these magical and fragrant Italian nights. Perhaps the most famous verses are those written by Giovanni Pascoli, who evokes an infinite night sky and the dream of distant worlds
St. Lawrence, I know why so much
of stars for the quiet air
burns and falls, why so great weeping
in the concave sky sparkles.
“X August”- G. Pascoli
The meteoric swarm that we will be able to observe during the nights of August 2022 is known as the Perseids, named after the constellation Perseus, which, for an effect of perspective, is the point of their origin.
The August meteors are generated by fragments of comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle: every year when the Earth crosses the comet’s orbit, particles released from its passes ignite in the Earth’s atmosphere, creating bright trails observable with the naked eye.
When and how to observe the Perseids
The brightness of the Full Moon on August 12, 2022 will make it difficult to observe the meteors; in fact, the Perseids’ peak is expected on August 12-13, but the Moon’s strong brightness will not allow the meteor shower to be detected. However, it will be possible to observe shooting stars as early as the beginning of August. In order to spot shooting stars, go to a place on high ground, away from population centers and strong light sources. Look above the horizon in the northeast direction, and locate the radiant: this is the point from which prospectively the meteors appear to be born. You will be able to identify the constellation Cassiopeia (an inverted W) and below it the constellation Perseus, easily recognized by its shape similar to the Greek letter lambda λ .
The scent of shooting stars
What better occasion to be sprinkled with theessence of the stars? The summer sky brings with it a yearning for excitement, new adventures and a chance to daydream. In Astra fragrances are the perfect scents for summer nights spent admiring the celestial vault: from the creamy, narcotic warmth of Antares, to the metallic freshness of Mismar, to the dusty, ethereal cloud of Betelgeuse, to the shining light of Tistar. Each fragrance reveals the secret of its star, and will envelop you in a magical atmosphere, even on August nights, leaving behind an olfactory constellation you will remember. It is said that if you make a wish by seeing a star tracing a trail, it will come true. Get your wishes ready for the evening when dreams come true!