August 10th is La Festa di San Lorenzo, the saints day for Saint Lawrence and it is considered a special day by many Italians as this is the time of year when the earth passes through the Perseids Meteor Shower. These streams of light are known by the Italians as 'Le lacrime di San Lorenzo' ‘San Lorenzo’s tears’
If the skies are clear it is a perfect opportunity to, if you are lucky, see a shooting star and if you do so you make a wish on this ‘ La Notte delle Stelle Cadenti’ ‘The Night of the Falling Stars’. The Perseids Meteor Shower appears around this time every summer and is potentially visible for weeks depending on location and weather conditions. The source of the shower is debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle, which has been described as "the single most dangerous object known to humanity"
It is thought that this year visibility, even if the weather is clear may well be compromised by the fact that there is a full Moon on August 13th whose brightness will make the fainter falling stars much more difficult to spot. The shower is expected to remain visible this year until August 24th, so even if you are not lucky enough to see one for La Notte di San Lorenzo, there is still time, although not sure if your wishes will still come true.
If you are interested in a few more facts about Saint Lawrence and to learn, for instance what professions he is considered patron saint of please take a look at my post from last year Notte di San Lorenzo 2010 - News From Italy.
No surprise that I do not have any shooting star photos to share with you but I think the firework photos I have included taken recently at the Santa Marta Processione give a pretty good impression of millions of shooting stars!
Good Luck - I will certainly be out star gazing this evening.
This video is very interesting and tells us about the summer Perseid meteor shower getting underway as Earth enters the debris stream from comet Swift-Tuttle.
With thanks to the falling websites for the information for this post.
Chiff.com – Perseids Wikipedia - Perseids
Wikipedia - Swift Tuttle YouTube – Perseids
I am linking to Outdoor Wednesday today
Welcome to ‘News From Italy’ to the other participants, thankyou for calling by.
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/
All photos are 
All rights reserved by LindyLouMac Photo Collection
This coming Sunday I plan continue the theme of Notte di San Lorenzo and post some lovely versions of the song of the same name, I hope you will be able to call by and listen to them. Happy Star Gazing.
Thank you for the reminder, I'd almost forgotten today is San Lorenzo!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be watching the skies in Veneto; the weather is gorgeous without a bit of humidity so I'm hoping the evening will be the same. Heads will be titled up and lights will be turned down low, and if we're lucky we just might see a few stars shooting by!
wow thats amazing, it was really cloudy here last night I wonder what it will be tonight, thnak you for sharing this,,
ReplyDeleteThis post is so interesting and it is perfect for Outdoor Wednesday! I want to learn more about the meteor shower. This will interest my 14 year old, too. Thanks so much for posting this!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could be there to see the shooting stars! I can't imagine how beautiful it is. Loved the fireworks pictures :)
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and video. I had forgotten that the Perseid meteor showers were due. Thanks for the reminder. I'll be watching. Hope you see lots where you are.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my hen post. I don't have very many and don't collect them, but 'enjoyed going to the party'.
Babs
Very interesting post. I wonder if we can see shooting stars here as well, I will keep a watch out :-) Diane
ReplyDeleteGreat fireworks pictures! I've only seen one shooting star in my lifetime. I would love to see meteor showers someday.
ReplyDeleteThey are marvellous photos. I hope you see some falling stars and that your wishes come true tonight! xx
ReplyDeleteFascinating! Another reason to love Italy!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda! So, we're all back to blagland allready - it really did go quick, didn't it? Thanks for the welcome back :-)
ReplyDeleteYOur pictures are great and I would love to see some shooting stars... Love from (mad) London xo
Oh, I was looking forward to seeing the Perseid Showers this year...but you are correct that the moon is already close to being full.
ReplyDeleteSo very happy I found you! My husband and I have been thinking about having a great adventure too. Who knows????
ReplyDeleteI'll love keeping up with you and also the book blog.
Joys,
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island
What a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing the info, I wasn't aware of a lot of it... hugs ~lynne~
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post and gorgeous header on your blog. I would love to walk right in to the scene! Star gazing with my dad was one of my favorite childhood memories. Thank you for bringing him back to me for a little while. I'm going to make sure to bring some binoculars on our camping trip this weekend and to teach my children to look up in the beautiful night sky.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! One of my favorite things to do!
ReplyDeleteKeep us updated if you see any falling stars!
so interesting and I LOVE your beautiful header.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this info.
Thanks, too, for stopping by.
xo bj
I well remember your post on this last year. Thank you again for reminding me about it this year and also sharing the wonderful festival details. Hope you see lots of shooting stars to make wishes on! – g
ReplyDeleteWOW!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed your photos on 'beautiful world' but this is the first time that I have caught up with your blog. It's really interesting ...
Thanks
Gaynor
thanks for your explanation...a friend in Salerno was telling me about la notte di San Lorenzo and I told him it's part of the Perseid Meteor shower that we see in the States. But your post helps to clarify things. Lovely photos, as usual!
ReplyDeleteI just found you for the first time and oh how I would love to see Italy
ReplyDeleteJanice
Wonderful pictures and video. I was thinking that I should be looking up in the skies one of these nights. thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteAmazing shots! Hope to see something tonight but it's very cloudy.
ReplyDeleteHope you will be able to see the shooting stars. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIt never fails to be too cloudy or bright when the meteor showers take place. Good luck in viewing them.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda! I enjoyed your photos and video!
ReplyDeleteBTW: Thanks to you I finally joined FB and NetworkedBlogs. :)
Such lovely shots! I'd really enjoy that too!
ReplyDeleteLove the photos and the video. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWhat interesting photos and video. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteSan Lorenzo's tears....how I love the Italian language it makes everything sound so much better! Good luck with your wishing I will have a little lookout when I toddle up the wooden hill to bed. Many thanks for your kind comments. Love Linda x
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ReplyDeleteGreat entry for Outdoor Wednesday with wonderful shots and video!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing;o)
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Happy day****
Love the information, and I hope you had a chance to see the falling stars..
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