(meteorobs) Obs: 11/12 August

[pmartsching at mchsi.com]

Paul Martsching

As all four of the four possible ways to get to my usual observing site were closed due to floodwater over the roadways, I observed from the North side of my mother's garage in Ames.  It seemed a bit less dark than when I first observed the Perseids from this same spot 45 years ago.  

(Most of Ames is between the South Skunk River on the East and Squaw Creek which runs between the "main" part of town and "campus" town where Iowa State University is located.  If one lives in this part of Ames during major floods it is nearly impossible to leave town.  Squaw Creek and South Skunk join SE of Ames.  I did not go to work yesterday because I do not own a boat.  If I had driven 30 - 35 miles NW along the East bank of Squaw Creek to near the head waters, I could have crossed to the West and then come back down the West side of Squaw Creek to Iowa State University.  I didn't feel like driving more than an hour on country roads to get to work at my job which is only a mile and a half away.  I had already asked for today and tomorrow off, because if it was clear I would be up much of the night observing.)  

The following not that great a report because of the limiting magnitude and other factors.

Facing about 10 degrees East of North; looking up 60 degrees; obstruction from trees here and there around edges of field of view 15 percent.  Central 60 degree area completely free of tree obstruction.  Presumably would mainly miss fairly bright to bright meteors behind trees and far from center of FOV - wouldn't see fainter meteors that far from center of FOV anyway.

Long: 93 deg 63 min W  Lat: 42 deg 03 min N  Elevation: 950 feet
Visual: paper, pencil and talking clock

12 August 2010 05:10-10:00 UT (12/13 Aug 12:10-05:00 am CDST)
Break: 07:10-07:15 UT

05:10-6:10 UT 80 deg F; dew pt 77 deg F; wind calm; mostly clear; sometimes passing patches of small clouds <5 % obstruction; average LM 5.2; facing N 60 deg; total tree obstruction 15 % - see details above; total teff 1.0 hour. 
Kappa Cygnids: none
Perseids: eleven: -2; -1; +1(2); +2(2); +3(5)
Sporadics: three: +2; +3(2)
Total meteors: fourteen

06:10-07:10 UT 78 deg F; dew pt 76 deg F; wind calm; mostly clear; cloud obstruction 5%; average LM 5.1; facing N 60 deg; total tree obstruction 15 %; total teff 1.0 hour.
Antihelion: one: +1  (from this direction completely cannot rule out A Capricornid)
Kappa Cygnid: two: +1; +4
Perseids: seven: -1; +1; +2; +3(3); +4
Sporadics: four: +1(3); +3
Total meteors: fourteen

07:15-08:15 UT 77 deg F; dew pt 75 deg F; wind calm; clear; aver. LM 5.0 facing N 60 deg; total tree obstruction 15%; total teff 1.0 hour.
Kappa Cygnid: none
Perseids: fifteen: -1(2); 0; +1(2); +2(4); +3(5); +4
Sporadics: six: -2; +2(2); +3(3)
Total meteors: twenty-one

08:15-09:15 UT 76 deg F; dew pt 75 deg F; wind calm; mostly clear; average cloud cover 5 percent; average LM 5.0; total tree obstruction 15 %; total teff 1.0 hour.
Eridanid: one: +3
Kappa Cygnid: one: -3 (white)
Perseids: fifteen: -2; 0(2); +1(3); +2(2); +3(6); +4
Sporadics: none
Total meteors: seventeen

09:15-10:00 UT 74 deg F; dew pt 74 deg F; wind calm; clear; morning twilight in East by 09:45; average LM 4.8; facing N 60 deg; total tree obstruction 15 %; total teff 0.75 hour (45 minutes).
Eridanid: none
Kappa Cygnid: none
Perseids: nine: -6; -3; -2; +1; +2; +3(3); +4
Sporadics: two: +3(2)
Total meteors: eleven in 45 minutes

The blue-white mag -6 Perseid's train lasted 15 seconds.  With better LM the duration would have been much longer.

May possibly be able to observe this evening - if the thunderstorms hold off.  Its much more doubtful that I'll be able to observe after midnight when Perseid rates will be much higher.