(meteorobs) Re: late Geminid? An example of a "stationary radiant"

[Richard Taibi]

Richard's observation and surmise about the meteor's radiant is a good 
example of how meteor observers in the 19th and early 20th century justified 
"stationary radiants."  These were radiants that were believed to last as 
long as four or more months.  Similar to how Richard justified attributing 
the fireball to the Geminids, based on chance alignments and similarity to 
shower members's flight characteristics, 19th century observers persisted in 
believing that meteor showers could last unrealistically long times.  
Charles Olivier's many published arguments, and observational data from 
early observers of his American Meteor Society, gradually demolished the 
credibility of these long "showers."  It was another case in astronomy of 
not being able to uncritically accept appearances as being a physical 
reality.  Pre-Copernican astronomy is the best example of this fallacy.  
Seeing is not believing.

Happy New Year and good luck in seeing many bright meteors in 2007!  Rich 
Taibi


>From: "Robert Lunsford" <lunro.imo.usa at cox.net>
>Reply-To: Global Meteor Observing Forum <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
>To: "Global Meteor Observing Forum" <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
>Subject: (meteorobs) Re:  late Geminid?
>Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2006 11:44:32 -0800
>
>Richard and All,
>
>The Geminid swarm is fairly narrow and the Earth passes through the debris 
>field for only ten days. Therefore the fireball you witnessed could not be 
>a member of the Geminid shower. Even if the Geminids were still active the 
>radiant would have moved into Cancer so any meteor from the area of Castor 
>would not be a Geminid.
>
>More likely, your fireball was a member of the antihelion radiant, which is 
>currently centered in central Gemini. Unlike the Geminids, this shower has 
>a wide radiant stretching fifteen degrees in right ascension and ten 
>degrees in declination. The velocity is only slightly less than the 
>Geminids so these meteors could appear similar.
>
>I hope this helps!
>
>Robert Lunsford
>
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Kramer" <kramer at sria.com>
>To: "Global Meteor Observing Forum" <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
>Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 10:23 AM
>Subject: (meteorobs) late Geminid?
>
>
>>While walking the dog this morning at 05:30 UTC (12:30 AM EST 29 Dec) my 
>>eyes happened to be directed towards the right place at the right time to 
>>see an absolutely beautiful mag -3, blue/white meteor descend through 
>>about 30 degrees to the southern horizon. Alignment, was perfect for the 
>>Geminid radiant. Speed and appearance were completely consistent with the 
>>Geminids. This was either a highly coincidental sporadic or a late 
>>straggler from the Geminid shower.
>>
>>Regards,
>>Richard
>
>---
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