(meteorobs) 2012 Geminids

[Norman W McLeod III]

Borrowing a portion of Mark Davis' post,

 >The particulars on this shower are:

 >Active: December 4--17
 >Maximum: December 13, 23.5h UT

this time is soon after sunset on the U.S. east coast.  It fits the 
leap-year pattern that I have experienced back to 1968.  The highest 
Geminid leap-year rates for North America come on the night of Dec 
12/13, with few Geminids brighter than magnitude 2.  I agree with the 
maximum observing rate of 60/hour that Mark mentioned.  The years of 
80/hour and above are behind us, 1979 to 1996 that I saw.

The next night has lower rates, but almost entirely bright Geminids, few 
fainter than second magnitude.  The rate for bright Geminids in these 
longitudes won't top 40/hour, and falling quickly after midnight.  By 
night's end it is down to only 15/hour.

All these rates are for observers with average perception, as I have.  
The high-perception folks can go above 100/hour with ease.

A radio announcement just did it again, calling for 100/hour with no 
qualification.  Goes on every year.  Way overblown for most of us.

The Florida outlook is hopeless for the far south, cloudy with rain next 
3 days, but toasty warm in the low 80's F. (27 C).  The bright-meteor 
period for Thursday is expected to be partly cloudy.  I will watch 
casually from town a little.

Norman









> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "BAA electronic bulletins service"<baa-ebulletin at britastro.org>
> To:<Baa-ebulletin at britastro.org>
> Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2012 7:23 AM
> Subject: [BAA-ebulletin 00711] Sir Patrick Moore
>
>
>    
>> ======================================================================
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>> This is an announcements only list - please do not reply to this message.
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>> It is with the deepest sadness that I report the death just before 12.30
>> today of Sir Patrick Moore.
>>
>> Patrick has long been an inspiration and guide for so many BAA members.
>> He served as the Association's President from 1982-1984, as well as
>> directing with energy and distinction both the Mercury&  Venus Section
>> and the Lunar Section. Indeed, he performed the latter role on two
>> occasions, from 1964-1968 and from 1971-1976. In recent years he has
>> been an honorary Vice-President, and although he has been unable to
>> attend our meetings, he has continued to take an active interest in the
>> affairs of the Association that he first joined in December 1934 at the
>> age of 11. He made a point of visiting the BAA stand at Astrofest 2012,
>> despite not being in the best of health.
>>
>> There can be few BAA members who do not owe their interest in astronomy
>> to the influence of Patrick, either through his numerous publications or
>> his monthly "Sky at Night" television programme. His enthusiasm was
>> deeply infectious, and what he had to say was truly inspirational. Many
>> of us benefited from personal contact with him - the time and energy he
>> devoted to correspondence with all who wrote to him was quite amazing,
>> and his hospitality at Farthings legendary.
>>
>> Patrick's passing was peaceful, at home in Selsey, where he was
>> surrounded by those closest to him. Many of us felt that this day could
>> never come, and that the normal laws of nature would somehow be
>> suspended in this case. Sadly and inevitably, that was not be be, and we
>> shall all miss a presence that has enriched British astronomy, and the
>> lives of most of us, for as long as we can remember.
>>
>> In due course we shall have occasion to pay full and proper tribute to
>> the man and his achievements. The grief we feel at this moment is
>> bitter, but Patrick's legacy is immense - and that is something from
>> which we shall all continue to benefit in the future.
>>
>> Bill Leatherbarrow
>> President
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-- 
Norman W. McLeod III
Fort Myers, Florida

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