(meteorobs) Geminids 12-14-06 -Greenbelt, MD

[George Gliba]

                       Geminid Maximum - Dec. 13/14, 2006
                   Greenbelt, Maryland - 390016N 0765233W
 
    Unexpectedly it cleared up; so I went out locally to observe the maximum
of the Geminids. Conditions were about the same as two nights ago, but the
rates were much better. With a bit of intermittent ground fog, the average
limiting magnitude was still about 5.0 for the two hour watch. I saw 50 GEMs
between 2:45 and 4:45 UT. The best meteor was a nice yellow-green -1 
magnitude
Geminid seen at 4:44 UT. The prettiest meteor was a blue-green 0 
magnitude GEM
seen at 3:58 UT. The average Geminid was a bright 1.5 magnitude, but 
there were
no fireballs seen. Below is a short breakdown of the meteors seen.  
 

  Time (UT)    LM  %Obst. XOR  MON  GEM  HYD  SPO  Total    FOV     Comments
02:45-03:45   5.0    0%    3    0   25    0    5    33    5.4+38    some fog
03:45-04:45   5.0    0%    1    2   25    0    4    32    7.1+32    some fog


Magnitude Distributions (2:45-4:45 UT) LM=5.0  some fog

     -1  0  1  2  3  4  5  Ave.  Total
XOR  0  0  1  1  1  1  0  2.5    4
MON  0  0  0  1  1  0  0  2.5    2
GEM  1  9 17 12  8  3  0  1.5   50
HYD  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  N/A    0
SPO  0  1  1  0  3  4  0  2.9    9


Clear Skies,
GWG