(meteorobs) Re: [FMO] OT: Perseids FWD

[Ed Majden]

on 8/13/05 7:22, Michael Boschat at aa063 at chebucto.ns.ca wrote:

> Hi all:
> 
> Here is what *not* to do during a meteor shower. Just thought it might
> be funny.
> 
> Maybe global warming will have a big effect on astronomical observing?
> 
> This was posted to our astro list by the member who was out with us
> observing the
> Perseids on 11/12th.
> 
> Mike
> ============
> 
> Funniest event of the night was when Mike Boschat was out and was taking
> tripod mounted camera
> shots of Pegasus great square area hoping for a meteor to streak
> through. The shutter was open
> about 5-8 minutes and Mike came over and said, "You watch...as soon as I
> end this exposure a meteor
> will go through there." No sooner did Mike close the shutter. It wasn't
> even a second after the click
> and ZOOOOMMMM!! A -4 Perseid meteor goes right through the great square.
> I scared the wildlife
> I was laughing so hard. Sorry Mike, I've had the exact same thing happen
> to me. It was just so funny
> because you called it and it happened. Classic Murphy at work ;)
> Darren
> ======================

Darren and Mike et al:

    I know how you feel!  Where I aim my spectrographs, I call this the
"Fireball Free Zone"! :-(  I haven't developed the films from my 11/12
August efforts yet.  I reviewed the Sandia Bolide tapes and noted a couple
of detections outside where I had aimed my spectrographs.  What else is new!
I still want to check the films, as meteors well off axis, sometimes can be
recorded if they are bright enough.  Just the way an objective grating
works.  I didn't set up last night as my roofers kept me up all day banging
around when replacing my old roof.  Oh well, more Perseid spectra aren't
that interesting anyway.  The archives are full of unmeasured Perseid
spectra.  We need spectra from minor showers and meteorite dropping
fireballs!  Not an easy thing to get!
Cheers:

Ed Majden  B.C. - Fireball Network Coordinator
West Coast Sandia Bolide Detection Station
Courtenay B.C. CANADA

http://members.shaw.ca/epmajden/index.htm