(meteorobs) Observation on 2 October 2010 (UT) from southern Maryland

[Richard Taibi]

After the torrential remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole passed by Maryland, a Canadian airmass settled over the mid-Atlantic region.  I took advantage of what promised to be a very clear sky on the night of 1/2 October, EDT.  I observed before moonrise and indeed the sky was very good for suburban Maryland: I could see the Milky Way span about 120 degrees overhead.  Bright stars were visible to the horizon and not a cloud in the sky.  I was happy to see Mira because it's one of my annual interests, to see if I can see it, naked eye, at maximum.  (Yes, Paul, when it's visible Mira really does change the way eastern Cetus appears.)
 
 My goal was to check on Taurid activity and I found the radiants to be more active than I supposed they would be.  I was unable to differentiate which subradiant most Taurids came from because their paths made each 'sub' a possible suspect.  No negative magnitude Taurids were seen.
 
2 October 2010, 3:00 to 5:00 UT  (11 PM, 1 October to 1 AM, 2 October, EDT.)
 
Bel Alton, Maryland, USA  76 degrees, 59 minutes West longitude and 38 degrees, 28 minutes North latitude, elevation about 10 meters/ 30 feet.
 
Teff= 1.90, F= 1.00, and mean limiting magnitude= 5.55
 
Taurids and sporadics
 
3:00 to 4:00 UT, field center RA 00 d, Dec +16 d
 
TAU: +2, +3 (2), +4,  Total= 4
SPO:  +1
 
4:00 to 5:00 UT, field center RA 60 d, Dec +06 d
 
TAU: 0, +1, +2, +3, Total= 4
SPO: +2
 
Best wishes,
 
Rich