I’m just wondering about the bit about rain and snow being made of dust-is that all raindrops/snowflakes or just some that happen to pick up dust on the way? We’re a long way from the pollen season in winter and not a dry enough climate for dust…so I’m guessing the dusty or pollen-y rain/snow happens more in spring or in desert climates? In those places, puts paid to the idea that snow is ‘pure’ even though it looks it…also you’d need a very strong wind to lift those particles into the higher levels of the troposphere!
Regarding the rage of rivers: I definitely think they are angry at over management and deforestation. Both damming and straightening rivers can exacerbate flooding, especially with lots of impermeable concrete being used, and tree roots are known to bind soil and absorb excess floodwaters. I was in Paris and saw a sign about ‘the rights of the Seine’ like they’re considering giving rights to the river as though it’s a person. I’d love if they could do the same with the Thames and other UK rivers!
Will there be a bit on auroras in the air episode? I think that would be very fitting for this year, they are very much an atmospheric phenomenon, glowing gases lit by the sun!
From my reading the nucleation sites that lead to the creation of raindrops can be any kind of microscopic particle - dust, spores, bacteria - and that raindrops can't form without them. I love your wondering about where these nucleation sites high in the troposphere come from...I am guessing from strong winds but need to find out more. And yes, we are always obsessed with 'purity' aren't we and here's another example of how it's all interconnected!
You make a good point about the concrete used to dam and straighten rivers. So interesting about the Siene! I can't wait for Robert Macfarlane's book coming out next year called "Is a river alive?" I wonder if it will change the discourse around our rivers here in the UK...
And YES to the aurora. I'm writing it today so if you have any particular wonder-facts you think should definitely be in there, I'd love your help and will of course acknowledge the Rebel Stargazer in the podcast.
Also it seems the French seem to be a bit greener in a lot of ways, like with the river example, and I think they banned or want to ban domestic flights in favour of trains. Another thing is they have better dark sky laws, I know that because I was at my aunt’s, and they switched off the streetlights of her village after midnight and the stars were spectacular!
That’s interesting, could volcanic ash also make rain too? Even, dare I say it…space dust from meteors? As in, meteor showers causing rain showers, could that be a thing? I have heard that you can theoretically catch meteor dust on your rooftop or in your garden, and I do want to try this during a heavy meteor shower, by leaving a white plate out all night and seeing if there are any tiny dark grains on it that might come from space, if they’re magnetic it might indicate meteor dust but it’s not 100% unless you analyse them with proper equipment, but still…(Btw Geminids meteors this coming weekend!)
Oh I’m getting a shout out on the podcast? That’s amazing! There’s so much to say about the lights that maybe talk about the fact that solar maximum is making this year and next a good time to see them, how the form, some folklore stories…
Interesting, we embraced Darragh on Saturday with the cold northerly wind and stinging rain as it hit our faces. It is refreshing to face the storm in a safe manner.
Thank you for sharing your musings! I particularly loved listening to you likening a great flood to releasing anger. In past meditations and journeys I have felt the grief of the world inside me like a huge reservoir and realised I need to release little by little and not hold it all. Loved hearing you talk to the flood and the nourishing silt it leaves behind- thank you!
Thank you. The grief is a lot for one person to hold. I am exploring more how the land can hold our emotions with us. I was taught the river-flood technique by Ruth Poundwhite. She got us to move like the water body we were imagining (mine was a raging flooded river) and keep moving as the surge of water dissipated. I found it really helpful.
So fitting to talk about storms with Darragh raging! I’m currently away from the weather drama but heading home today, hoping the trains aren’t affected!
I’m just wondering about the bit about rain and snow being made of dust-is that all raindrops/snowflakes or just some that happen to pick up dust on the way? We’re a long way from the pollen season in winter and not a dry enough climate for dust…so I’m guessing the dusty or pollen-y rain/snow happens more in spring or in desert climates? In those places, puts paid to the idea that snow is ‘pure’ even though it looks it…also you’d need a very strong wind to lift those particles into the higher levels of the troposphere!
Regarding the rage of rivers: I definitely think they are angry at over management and deforestation. Both damming and straightening rivers can exacerbate flooding, especially with lots of impermeable concrete being used, and tree roots are known to bind soil and absorb excess floodwaters. I was in Paris and saw a sign about ‘the rights of the Seine’ like they’re considering giving rights to the river as though it’s a person. I’d love if they could do the same with the Thames and other UK rivers!
Will there be a bit on auroras in the air episode? I think that would be very fitting for this year, they are very much an atmospheric phenomenon, glowing gases lit by the sun!
From my reading the nucleation sites that lead to the creation of raindrops can be any kind of microscopic particle - dust, spores, bacteria - and that raindrops can't form without them. I love your wondering about where these nucleation sites high in the troposphere come from...I am guessing from strong winds but need to find out more. And yes, we are always obsessed with 'purity' aren't we and here's another example of how it's all interconnected!
You make a good point about the concrete used to dam and straighten rivers. So interesting about the Siene! I can't wait for Robert Macfarlane's book coming out next year called "Is a river alive?" I wonder if it will change the discourse around our rivers here in the UK...
And YES to the aurora. I'm writing it today so if you have any particular wonder-facts you think should definitely be in there, I'd love your help and will of course acknowledge the Rebel Stargazer in the podcast.
Also it seems the French seem to be a bit greener in a lot of ways, like with the river example, and I think they banned or want to ban domestic flights in favour of trains. Another thing is they have better dark sky laws, I know that because I was at my aunt’s, and they switched off the streetlights of her village after midnight and the stars were spectacular!
That’s interesting, could volcanic ash also make rain too? Even, dare I say it…space dust from meteors? As in, meteor showers causing rain showers, could that be a thing? I have heard that you can theoretically catch meteor dust on your rooftop or in your garden, and I do want to try this during a heavy meteor shower, by leaving a white plate out all night and seeing if there are any tiny dark grains on it that might come from space, if they’re magnetic it might indicate meteor dust but it’s not 100% unless you analyse them with proper equipment, but still…(Btw Geminids meteors this coming weekend!)
Oh I’m getting a shout out on the podcast? That’s amazing! There’s so much to say about the lights that maybe talk about the fact that solar maximum is making this year and next a good time to see them, how the form, some folklore stories…
Interesting, we embraced Darragh on Saturday with the cold northerly wind and stinging rain as it hit our faces. It is refreshing to face the storm in a safe manner.
Yes! The slight edge reminds us of our aliveness doesn't it? And agree with safety!
Thank you for sharing your musings! I particularly loved listening to you likening a great flood to releasing anger. In past meditations and journeys I have felt the grief of the world inside me like a huge reservoir and realised I need to release little by little and not hold it all. Loved hearing you talk to the flood and the nourishing silt it leaves behind- thank you!
Thank you. The grief is a lot for one person to hold. I am exploring more how the land can hold our emotions with us. I was taught the river-flood technique by Ruth Poundwhite. She got us to move like the water body we were imagining (mine was a raging flooded river) and keep moving as the surge of water dissipated. I found it really helpful.
So fitting to talk about storms with Darragh raging! I’m currently away from the weather drama but heading home today, hoping the trains aren’t affected!
Yes, really feeling it this weekend!