arlington, va
tue 8-aug-06

another view of the sunrise

It's Perseid meteor season, but this year it is going to be a washout. Full moon. But it doesn't matter round here - urban light pollution. Heck, we don't even have stars.

There is a classic Asimov story, Nightfall, about a civilization on a planet with 6 suns. The suns are arranged so that night occurs every 2000 years and then only for 6 hours. The citizens are so frightened that madness and panic results and civilization is destroyed.

I am rather fond of stars and miss them. At the old house we had a couple of stars and several planets. I used to go outside and set in my swing and look at them. Even in the winter - all wrapped up in my fuzzy robe.

But, we do have planes. And after supper - I like to go out on the porch and watch planes come in at 30 second intervals to land at National Airport.