(meteorobs) Perseids first impressions from Oregon

[Wes Stone]

I observed from 8:00-10:45 UT on August 12th, with some casual observing beginning at 7:30 UT. A stubborn little cloud front poked its way down into my neck of the woods and took its sweet time to roll through. Skies were best in the NW, which is my worst horizon for tree obstructions. My FOV was 60% obstructed at 8:00, decreasing to 10-15% by the end of the watch. Unfortunately, the clearing of most of the clouds by around 8:30 coincided with a major letdown in Perseid activity, or at least it felt that way. My casual impression is that there was a significant enhancement in Perseid rates between about 7:50 and 8:25 UT. There was certainly decent Perseid activity in spurts after that time, with fireballs of -4 and -5.

Skies were exceptional in the clear spots; limiting magnitude high in the west at my field center was 6.2-6.5. The Milky Way was prominent from Cassiopeia through Aquila. The Moon was hidden by clouds for much of the observation; later, it became more of a problem.

Due to my work schedule, a better report will wait until tomorrow (hopefully after another night of observing with fewer cloud challenges).

Wes Stone
Chiloquin, OR


--
So he slept on a mountain.
In a sleeping bag underneath the stars 
he would lie awake and count them.
And the gray fountain spray of the great Milky Way
would never let him die alone.
--Wilco