Summer nights in Austin are unbeatable. In the early evening, you kick back on your porch, looking up at the big night sky. You contemplate the vastness of space and the tiny role we play in the grand scheme of things. The bright moon reminds you of friends on the other side of the country: Are they looking at the same moon?

Suddenly you catch a fleeting glimpse of a shooting star–or was it a UFO? “Is there life on Mars?” you wonder. A playful grin as the crescendoing cicadas bring you back from the heavens. You are overwhelmed with a calm sense of peace. You feel happy to be alive.

Ok, it may be a little hippie dippy–BUT summer is coming to an end, and I’m starting to get nostalgic. The days ARE getting shorter. The gray of October is just on the horizon, and by golly, I’m gonna soak up every moment outside I can get.

So when you’re out this weekend, take a moment to look up at the stars. Smile. Shoot a mental snapshot. And then go back to your hustle and bussle.

This song, Stargazing, by Austin’s Ryan Harkrider might be your soundtrack. It was filmed around Austin and makes me smile:

Also, check out this great time lapse video of the night sky shot last month on a small farm outside of Austin:

Short Star Time-lapse from Wild Orchid Studios on Vimeo.

What’s your favorite beer for stargazing?
Have you ever seen a UFO?
Where’s the best place in Austin to watch a meteor shower?

Related posts:

1. Summer in the city: What’s your favorite Austin-area swimming hole?
2. UNCONFIRMED RUMOR: City of Austin to host ‘Do Something’–a city-wide reality show on VH1 starring Jillian Michaels.
3. Austin Summer Music Survey 2010–Which Austin bands are on your summer playlist? [plus FREE MP3s]
4. Should Austin Be Known As A City of Violent Hatred and Intolerance?