Fireflies or Shooting Stars?

Posted by Kelly Whitt Jul 27, 2008

The last month of stargazing has been a good one, but it has been one that has caused a bit of confusion. We've enjoyed checking out planets and constellations, double stars and more, but as far as we know we have not yet seen a shooting star. Yet meteor-like streaks of light have occurred overhead multiple times each night we were out. The problem: fireflies. As they zip overhead, they light up for a short period of time, creating a perfect streak of light that mirrors the look of a meteor. They also flit about us on the ground and are rather easy to catch. So despite the many falling star-like scenes we have witnessed, so far we are forced to explain them away with the numerous fireflies. Fireflies don't last forever, though, and it is only a matter of time before their season is over and the true shooting stars will make themselves known.