The Night I Crossed "See a Shooting Star" Off My Bucket List

507. See a shooting star ✅

Location: Convento dos Capuchos | Capuchins Monastery (1578), Arrábida, Portugal

There’s something magical about the night sky, especially when you’re surrounded by towering mountains, a sea of stars, and a group of eager stargazers. On the 3rd of August 2024, I had the chance to tick off a long-awaited bucket list item: 507 - See a Shooting Star. But this wasn’t just any shooting star— it was part of an unforgettable stargazing event that I got to experience in the mountains of Arrábida, Portugal, with a group of passionate astronomers from Ciência Viva de Constância.

The journey began with a somewhat short hike to a secluded convent high in the Arrábida mountains. While the uphill trek was tough and had me questioning my decision to join the event in the first place (and reminding me that I forgot my inhaler), the promise of seeing the universe in all its glory kept me going. Originally, I planned to go alone—an exercise in independence that I've been working on. But after some thought, I decided to invite my brother along. Heading up into the mountains with a group of strangers felt a bit daunting, and I figured having some company would ease any nerves. Though he was reluctant at first, my brother ended up being just as thrilled as I was by the end of the night.

The event was organized by Ciência Viva de Constância, and they certainly didn’t disappoint. The team provided telescopes for us to use, and before we began peering into the depths of space, they gave a fascinating presentation on the sky mapped above us. The sheer depth of knowledge these astronomers had was impressive, and I found myself absorbed in their explanations of the constellations and planets we were about to witness.

As the night deepened, we took turns looking through the telescopes. I’ll never forget the moment I laid eyes on Saturn. There it was, so bold and brilliant, with its iconic rings on full display. The clarity was astonishing—every detail sharp against the blackness of space. It felt surreal, like something out of a science fiction movie, only this was the real deal.

But the true highlight of the night came when, as I was waiting for my turn at the telescope, I saw not just one, but two shooting stars streak across the sky. The first one zipped by so quickly that one of the group members barely had time to shout "Olha!" (which means "Look!" in Portuguese). We all looked up just in time to catch a glimpse before it vanished into the night. The second followed soon after, equally as mesmerizing. The older man leading our group turned to us with a smile and said, "O céu está vivo," which translates to "The sky is alive." And in that moment, it truly felt like it.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to capture many pictures due to the darkness of the excursion. But in a way, that made the experience even more special. Without the distraction of my camera, I could fully immerse myself in the beauty and wonder of the night sky, taking mental snapshots instead.

The experience was nothing short of magical. Standing there, surrounded by strangers who were all united by the same sense of wonder, I felt a deep connection to the universe—and to the people around me. We can learn a lot from the sky, especially at night when it’s at its most brilliant. It reminds us of how small we are, and yet, how much beauty we have the privilege to witness if we just take the time to look up.

In the end, I’m so glad I didn’t go alone. Sharing that night with my brother made it even more special, and it was clear by the end of the event that he’d enjoyed himself just as much as I had. It was a night of firsts—for both of us. We both left with a renewed sense of wonder and a reminder of just how vast and incredible our universe is.

If you ever get the chance to go stargazing, especially in a place as breath-taking as the mountains of Arrábida, I highly recommend it. And if you’re lucky, you might just see a shooting star—or two—and cross off a bucket list item of your own.