Not-so-great balls of fire

Halley's Comet in 1986   (NASA photo)

It used to be that people were willing to wait for celestial events.  Mark Twain hung out for 75 long years between bouts of Halley’s Comet.

These days, people want things on demand.  If the urge to see a meteor shower strikes, well then, let’s hop to it. 

A Japanese startup is indeed hopping on this lucrative bandwagon.  It intends “to create the world’s first ever artificial meteor shower” by the year 2020.  Tiny balls will be released from micro satellites.  Upon entering the atmosphere, they will burn brightly “in a variety of colors.”

Not to worry, supposedly none will pelt onlookers'  heads.  These not-so-great balls of fire will go poof long before they singe hairdos. 

Resources

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/artificial-meteor-shower-shooting-stars-space-fireworks-hiroshima-ale-japan-a8456386.html

Copyright July 21, 2018 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved