(meteorobs) Obs: 17 Oct 2010

[pmartsching at mchsi.com]

17 October 2010 07:15-10:45 UT (16/17 Oct 2:15 - 05:45 am CDST)

McFarland Park 4 miles NE of Ames, Story Co, IA, USA

Epsilon Geminids
Orionids
South Taurids
Sporadics

As I drove out to McFarland Park I noticed thin cloud above the Moon, but it appeared to be clear at the level of the Moon.  Apparently there was very thin, diffuse haze present during much of the session affecting the LM, but not at all obvious, except between 02:40 and 03:00 am CDST when very thin, small clouds and patches of haze passed thru.  During the session I glanced SW a few times and nearly always there was more or less hazy stuff over Ames.  I began observing as soon as the Moon set.

The brightest meteor of the morning I did not see.   At 08:24 UT the ground lit up for a second from a fairly bright meteor that occurred somewhere behind me (West).

07:15-08:15 UT 43 deg F; dew pt 31 deg F; wind N 9 mph; apparently clear except 07:40-08:00 UT when very thin, small clouds and patches of haze passed thru; average LM 5.2; facing E 50 deg; total teff 1.0 hour.
E Geminids: one: +4
Orionids: three: +3; +4(2)
S Taurids: three: +3(2)
Sporadics: four: -1; 0; +3; +4
Total meteors: eleven

08:15-09:15 UT 41 deg F; dew pt 32 deg F; wind N 8 mph; "clear"; LM 5.5; facing E 50 deg; total teff 1.0 hour.
E Geminids: none
Orionids: four: +1; +2; +3(2)
S Taurids: none
Sporadics: seven: +1; +2; +3(4); +4
Total meteors: eleven

09:15-10:15 UT 40 deg F; dew pt 31 deg F; wind N 6 mph; "clear"' LM 5.5; facing E 50 deg; total teff 1.0 hour.
E Geminds: none
Orionids: five: +2(2); +3(2); +4
S Taurids: one: +1
Sporadics: eight: -2; -1; 0(2); +3(2); +4(2)
Total meteors: fourteen

10:15-10:45 UT 39 deg F; dew pt 31 deg F; wind NW 6 mph; "clear"; LM 5.3; morning twilight in E last 15 minutes; facing E 50 deg; total teff 0.5 hour (30 minutes)
E Geminids: none
Orionids: three: +1; +2; +3
S Taurids: none
Sporadics: seven: 0; +2; +3(5)
Total meteors: ten (30 minutes)