(meteorobs) blind spots and black meteors

[Bias, Peter V]

Hi Kim, Jeff, Norman, and all,

  I also saw two nebulous Quadrantids in 1999.  They almost looked like popcorn popping rather than a streak.  Very strange, but memorable.

  And Jeff, yes, my first meteor shower (and meteor) was the 1966 Leonids.  I was observing from Ohio and did not see the peak intensity that was seen out west, but it was still very impressive.  I started watching other showers with the 1967 Perseids.

  Pete Bias

-----Original Message-----
From: meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org
[mailto:meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org]On Behalf Of Kim Youmans
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 8:10 AM
To: Global Meteor Observing Forum
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) blind spots and black meteors


>>>>I defintely agree with Norm that nebulous meteors exist.

   Once you've seen one (I've been fortunate enough to see four) it's a 
sight you won't forget.  While observing the Quadrantids about four years 
ago, I saw two within the space of an hour, traveling in opposite 
directions.  I've seen other meteors that seemed to be "partially" nebulous.

   Norm's description of nebulous meteors is absolutely dead-on, based on 
what I saw.  Sure would be nice if someone could put forth a good 
explanation for them.

Kim Y.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Malcolm J. Currie" <mjc at star.rl.ac.uk>
To: "Global Meteor Observing Forum" <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 8:06 PM
Subject: RE: (meteorobs) blind spots and black meteors


> The sky is bright once you're dark adapted.  It's not black, be it from
> faint stars, airglow, zodiacal light, artificial light etc.  My
> experience of this phenomenon is like a soft-pencil line is drawn on the
> sky, i.e. it's as if `meteor' was absorbing, not emitting light.  You
> see a dark trail against the luminous sky.
>
> I don't recall seeing any while observing telescopically, only visually.
>
> I defintely agree with Norm that nebulous meteors exist.
>
> Malcolm
> ---
> Mailing list meteorobs
> meteorobs at meteorobs.org
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