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The Perseid meteor shower is peaking now, and it is truly a spectacular sight to see. The meteor shower is associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle, and peaks from August 12-13. The best time to see it is around midnight, in low light pollution areas and away from cities. At the peak, you can see up to 100 meteors per hour, because Earth is smashing into the debris left by the comet. They are called Perseids because the meteors come from the direction of the constellation Perseus. The shower runs from July 14 to September 1, but the peak time was last night. However, if you didn't manage to catch a glimpse, a day after the peak is also quite beautiful!
On another note, the Maui wildfires have officially become the United States' worst wildfire in over 100 years, as the death toll has risen to 89. As the wildfires fade, devastated residents are now returning to what remains of their homes in the town of Lahaina, which was the worst impacted by the fire. The entire town was burned to the ground, with some residents describing it as being "wiped off the map." Hawaii Governor Josh Green said that it may take them years to recover. Let's dive into what made the fires spread so fast and so violently. The main factor was the wind and the dry conditions. All that was needed was a slight spark or a cigarette butt to ignite a tree or house, and that was all that was needed. Strong winds were coming out of the northeast, gusting at over 40 mph. Since Lahaina was on the opposite side of the mountain, on the island's southwest side, the wind was amplified coming down the mountain. This created 60 mph gusts coming into the town, causing the fire to spread extremely fast. Buildings and trees were practically kindling, as Hawaii has been facing a drought lately. The fire burned everything it touched, leveling the entire town. This entire event is extremely unfortunate, and Lahaina residents are devastated after this catastrophic wildfire destroyed everything they know. To donate to the victims of this horrible tragedy, click here.
Quote of the Day: Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
(Søren Kierkegaard)
Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Fungible (adj)- Fungible describes things, such as currency, goods, and commodities, that can be exchanged for something else of the same kind or value. In broader usage, fungible can also mean “interchangeable,” as well as “readily changeable to adapt to new situations.”
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