IRELAND MAY BE IN THE GUTTER, but tonight we could all be looking at the stars.
Shooting stars that is – because for the next few days, the yearly spectacle that is the Perseid meteor shower will be visible.
More than 60 meteors an hour will be shooting across the night sky, which according to Astronomy Ireland‘s chairman, David Moore, could mean that you could see one star a minute catapulting across the skies.
The Perseids have been observed for around 2,000 years and are only visible if you live north of the equator. They can be seen perfectly with the naked eye – although if you want a good view of the amazing “trains” that the burning meteors leave in their wake then it is a good idea to use binoculars.
The shower reaches its peak on Thursday night between midnight and 3am. So set up your coffee machine and get ready for one of the most rewarding astronomical events on Earth.
Check out what to expect by watching a video of last year’s Perseid meteor shower:
ANY SIGNIFICANT LEVEL of flu in the community could lead to the Covid-19 test and trace system being overwhelmed as people present with similar symptoms, health experts say.
Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry told TheJournal.iethat because flu and Covid-19 both seriously impact on vulnerable and older groups, health officials want to “avoid a twin attack on the same populations” in Ireland.
He said the focus will also be on keeping down the level of flu among those who will not be seriously ill with it, but who may pass it on to those vulnerable groups.
This is why the flu vaccine without charge has been extended to a number of other groups this year, including to children aged two to 12. Previously this applied only to those over the age of 70.
So, today we want to know: Do you plan to get the flu vaccine this upcoming winter?
Clouds and sun
Max: 13 °C
Min: 6 °C
Mostly cloudy with spotty showers
Max: 17 °C
Min: 6 °C
