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The Night of San Lorenzo is a magical and evocative moment for all those who love astronomy and popular traditions, offering an opportunity to connect with the night sky and ancient legends.
The Night of San Lorenzo, also known as the night of shooting stars, is an astronomical event and popular tradition celebrated on 10 August every year in Italy. During this night, it is possible to observe, if you are in a spot with low light pollution, a meteor show. These celestial bodies are part of the Perseids, a meteor shower that peaks around this date. The Perseids are fragments left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the Sun every 133 years. When the Earth passes through the debris trail left by the comet, the small fragments enter the Earth's atmosphere at high speed, burning up and creating bright streaks in the sky, known as meteors or shooting stars.
The hours after midnight are generally the best for observing meteors: no special equipment is needed, but bringing a blanket or reclining chair can make the experience more comfortable.
Be well prepared to celebrate this unique and romantic event! Take along a blanket or rug, some pillows for comfort or maybe a nice reclining chair and head to places far from city lights: beaches, mountain resorts and the countryside are popular destinations for this type of activity. A popular belief holds that making wishes while watching a shooting star can bring good luck and make the wish come true.
Should you be more interested in the scientific and physical side of the phenomenon, on the other hand, many astronomical observatories and astrophile groups often organise observation evenings, offering telescopes and explanations to help the public better understand the phenomenon.
In the Christian religion, this night and its celebration are dedicated to Saint Lawrence, a martyr who died on 10 August 258 A.D.: according to tradition, shooting stars represent the saint's tears, which fall once a year.
In many places in Italy, 10 August is celebrated with festivals, fairs and cultural events. People gather to watch the night sky, often accompanied by food, music and other convivial activities.
10 August, therefore, is a date rich in meaning and tradition, ranging from religious celebration to literary reflection to observing a breathtaking natural spectacle.
