Anders Helstrup, Norwegian Skydiver Records Meteorite
Last week a Norwegian skydiver, Anders Helstrup, captured a first ever video of a meteorite that shot past him right after he deployed his parachute. Apparently the search for the rock still continues. (See the video and associated article linked to the image above)
Just like in my “Ground Control To Major Tom” blog about the first music video made in space, this is another groundbreaking celestial cinema first! Never before has a meteorite been recorded in mid-air after its light has gone out. It would be extremely difficult to try to make such a thing happen, given that it is unknown when or where a meteorite will hit our atmosphere. However, with the abilities of new technology it makes sense that someone would find themselves in a situation where they are in mid-air with a Go Pro camera, and here we have it, a statistical anomaly has been recorded for posterity.
“Remarkable Story Of Chicken Little” – 1865 edition
‘The sky is falling’ is a famous term from the children’s story, “Chicken Little”, and apparently versions of this story go back more than 25 centuries. (See above Chicken Little story link). So perhaps seeing a shooting star is good luck because you presumably lived to tell the tale and therefore since you are so lucky you deserve your wish come true? That is my humble analysis.
It should be noted that the term, “The Sky Is Falling” is from Chicken Little, but has nothing to do with shooting stars (but rather a sort of fear mongering that is sort of like crying wolf). I just thought the “Sky Is Falling” term was so appropriate in this case of this skydiver, because to him that is exactly how it appeared!
When you wish upon a star…
The term “shooting star” originally came from ancient times, before advanced science, when there were actually thought to be stars shooting across the night sky. Now we know it is actually not a star at all, but rather a meteorite that burns up as it passes through the earth’s atmosphere. (Source article linked up to below image)
Shooting stars are a symbol of hope in our society. They provide the idea that there are unknown things out there, and the possibility of a granted wish. Apparently the wish originates from ancient Greece, it was believed that the stars were leaked from the Heavens and while the God’s were looking down on us they were more receptive to hear our wishes. (Source article linked up to above image)
Did Helstrup’s wish come true? According to the article about the skydiver and his meteorite, if he had jumped just two seconds later it would’ve ripped him in half – Anders Helstrup couldn’t be luckier, and it seems his wish has been granted.
My Meteorite Necklace – formerly a shooting star
Someone very special recently gave me a piece of a meteorite that had been made into a necklace, which was quite possibly the most meaningful and serendipitous gift I’ve received (most of the reasons I won’t go into here). This is a rare item that I will cherish forever. It is my kind of jewelry, unique and natural. It looks very mysterious. It definitely doesn’t look like a star, nor does it glow. Looking at it I am reminded of Superman’s Kryptonite, and what’s funny is that they both come from outer space.
The coincidences that surround shooting stars provide a mystical element to the moment in which they are viewed. They take us out of our everyday reality just for an instant and give us hope. It is a reminder that we should be thankful for the present, and that at anytime something spectacular could happen!
Felicia Flick 