“Nothing sounds as peaceful as crickets singing on a summer night. A unique sound that makes you feel like everything is gonna be all right …”

– Writer unknown

Many viral illnesses slow in the summer months; as we can attest, COVID-19 was not one of those! With COVID-19, there was not enough evidence to know if there would be a significant slowdown during the warmer months. Earlier studies focused on well-known human infectious diseases (common flu). Less clear is how seasonal variations in the weather might modulate the spread of a new virus – COVID-19. In addition to the unknowns, the virus was a complete stranger to our immune systems.

By some crazy cosmic-coincidence, last March, as the virus became serious, JPL astronomers found a new comet: NEOWISE. Complete with a three-mile wide tail, it’s the brightest comet visible in the U.S. in a quarter century. Although the comet is visible to the naked eye, binoculars are recommended if you want to get a detailed look at the comet’s beautiful tail. It’s expected to stay in view for at least the next 10 days. But you’ll want to catch it before it disappears because it won’t come this way again for nearly 7,000 years, scientists say. Starting this weekend, as it speeds away from the Sun, NEOWISE will appear in the north-northwest about 10 degrees above the horizon just after sunset in the early evening. Fortunately, the local forecast looks mostly clear over the next few days, which should contribute to increased visibility.

There’s a void to fill as the La Cañada Flintridge Music in the Park and the Hollywood Bowl 2020 season are both canceled. It was unavoidable as the number of COVID-19 victims is on the rise. Presently large social gatherings are prohibited. At the onset, in March, it was believed the virus would calm down during the summer months but possibly rebound in the fall.

To help fill the void, Mother Nature has turned up her night music a notch. Have you heard the volume of the crickets chirping recently? Take a listen while you are outside trying to spot the comet. Male crickets produce sounds by rubbing their leathery front wings together. This is called “stridulation” and is used to attract female crickets as mates. The sound is impacted by factors such as temperature, e.g., faster rate during warmer temperatures. It doesn’t quite replace the violins at the Bowl, though!

Daytime high temperatures are predicted to be slightly warmer going into the weekend. Night through morning low clouds will move onshore each night. Not quite reaching the Crescenta Valley, skies will be clear and the air refreshed by ocean breezes.

Sue Kilpatrick is a Crescenta Valley
resident and Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service Reach her at suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.

  robin goldsworthy