(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
*****
More information about the Meteorobs
mailing list