(meteorobs) HALWA at NJAA Observatory Aug 4 AM

meteoreye at comcast.net meteoreye at comcast.net
Mon Aug 4 16:16:14 EDT 2008


Took my nap and spent 3 1/2 hours out under a marvelous sky this morning. One of the top 3 nights in the last 3 years. I observed from 1:03 to 4:33 EDT. I decided to count, rather than plot, since I knew there would be too many missed meteors (from plot time, and dark adaptation loss from plotting); fortunately I had analyzed the previous night's plots, so knew exactly where all the radiants were. I used my alignment cord, which helped with a number of meteors, particularly those far from the radiant, including a Perseid that occurred behind me. However, the 3 second long train allowed me to perfectly align it with the radiant. One comment on why I don't start exactly on the top of the hour, or quarter after, etc. From communications with the IMO, they have found that it is easier and better to blend observations if they don't start at exactly the same time. So when I sit down and am ready to go, I check my time, and start at the beginning of the next minute.
Speaking of time...backup, backup, backup. My talking watch decided to reboot to 12:00 AM the first time I touched it, then the watchband broke. My backup talking clock decided to completely die, even though I have just replaced the batteries. AAAUUURRRGGGHHH. Forunately, by shortwave receiver worked, and after beating my watch severely, I got the battery to reseat, and using CHU was able to recalibrate the time in the dark. I did have my cellphone if needed, but that's a lot of light. Glad I didn't need it.
No lightning bugs there, though I do still have one flying about in my living room...poor thing.

Summary: UT Aug 4,2008 0503-0833 at NJAA Observatory, High Bridge, NJ
Data in half hour increments (i.e. 0503-0533,0533-0603, 0603-0633, etc)

50 meteors in 3.50 hours Teff. No clouds at all. Average LM +5.90, it was +5.95 for a few hours.
Half hour counts 11,9,5,6,2,10,7. FOV was azimuth 120, elevation 60. Average meteor magnitude for the night was +2.19. Full detals can be seen at 
http://umdb.urania.be/v2/obsview/view.php?id=3353

23 Sporadics (6.6/Hr) Avg Mag +2.72. 1/2 hour counts 4,5,2,2.1,5,4.
15 Perseids (4.3/Hr) Avg Mag +1.40. 1/2 hour counts 4,2,3,1,1,1,3
4 SDA (1.1/Hr) Avg Mag+2.75. 0,1,0,2,0,1,0.
3 CAP (0.9/Hr) Avg Mag +1.93 2,1,0,0,0,0,0.
2 ANT (0.6/Hr) Avg Mag +2.  0,0,0,1,0,1,0
1 PAU (0.3/Hr) Mag +4 in first half hour (0503-0533)
1 NPX (Nortern Apex) Mag +3.5, between 0733-0803 (SM shower 27)
1 IER (IAU Eridianids) Mag -2, betwen 0733-0803.
Origanally called this a sporadic, but realized this -2 meteor, with a 2.5 second train was perfectly aligned with the proposed radiant.

Counted 12 satellites, including 5 after I ended my session and was cleaning up. Including -8 Iridium behind me!
Betelgeuse and Rigel were over the horizon in the morning, Rigel was REALLY flashing. 

Wayne


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