(meteorobs) Quads and Questions

Bruce McCurdy bmccurdy at telusplanet.net
Sat Jan 7 05:38:51 EST 2006


    Thanks to one and all for your thoughtful replies to my questions under 
this header. I now know that either 1) I'm not crazy, or 2) I'm not alone. 
:)
***
    Richard wrote:

>    I think dissociation is a more likely explanation for our problem.

    I am certain you are right. I am also certain if I was a member of the 
"current" generation, I would have been diagnosed with ADD long since. 
There's no doubt I had more trouble with phantom meteors during the many 
slow nights in 2005, than on an active night.
***

    Lew wrote:

>> This is an interesting question! One of the things that intrigues me 
>> about
meteor observing, is that it gives you an inkling of just how complex human
perception really is - maybe better than other kinds of astronomy...

    I agree on both counts. I find that astronomy of all types is an 
intensely personal experience, and in general I refer to myself as an 
"impressionist observer". It's funny in that when meteor observing I do my 
most strictly quantitative measurements: how many? But sometimes it's very 
hard to draw the line between a one and a zero.
***

    Dave wrote:

>>>     I can't say I've experianced any "ghost meteors" like some of the 
>>> list,
I'm wondering how they should be classified? Maybe we could rate them, like;

>>>     #1 I believe I saw it!
>>>     #2 I really believe I saw it!
>>>     #3 I think I realy believe I saw it!

    I only count type 2. :) I *really* have to convince myself that yes, I 
did see it.
***

    ... and Jure wrote:

>>>> I never listen to radio during observation, I think it would actually 
>>>> *help* me wander off instead of keeping me alert.

    I do listen to the radio, but not in the conventional manner. Rather 
than choose the night's playlist for myself, I let the Universe decide, via 
the forward scatter technique through my car radio.This observing buddy 
serves as an extra "ear" on the sky, gives a second opinion on the general 
level of activity, reminds me there are meteors happening even when I happen 
to miss them, helps keep me alert, verifies the occasional observation of a 
faint meteor through a simultaneous burst, occasionally allows me to catch 
the fade of a persistent train through a rapid all-sky search after a loud 
burst, and pleasingly often provides an audible, often musical, 
accompaniment to a nice meteor seen directly. I have learned to tune out the 
unpleasant aspects of static, having made the connection in my mind's ear to 
a clear sky crackling with potential.

    Bruce
    ***** 




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