(meteorobs) Quadrantids from Oregon 1/3

[Wes Stone]

I observed the Quadrantids for 1.8 hours from my yard on the morning of 2013 
January 3, from 1228-1418UT. Temperature was a frigid 1.5F (-17C), and the 
sky was very clear without a hint of fog or haze. On the downside, the moon 
was shining off 2 feet of snow. I blocked the moon behind a spruce tree and 
accepted some obstruction from this tree and another tall tree in my field. 
Limiting magnitude was a steady 5.8.

Meteor activity was slow at the beginning of the watch, and picked up in 
fits and starts thereafter. I ended up seeing 58 Quadrantids and 13 other 
meteors. Mean Quadrantid magnitude was 1.5, while the sporadics averaged 
2.5. Ten Quadrantids were in negative magnitudes, but none brighter than -3. 
Most of the brighter Quadrantids were yellowish, and only a few left wakes. 
One highlight: a spectacular magnitude +1 earthgrazing sporadic that was 
orange with a well-defined train. A -5 Iridium flare also gave me a start, 
as did occasional chattering noises from mystery creatures stirring in the 
dark.

Observer: Wesley Stone (STOWE)
Location: Chiloquin, OR (42d 35m N, 121d 52m W)
Method: Counting/Tape Recorder
Date: 2013 January 2-3

Interval 1: 1228-1322 UT
Teff: 0.888h
F: 1.11
LM: 5.82
Total Meteors: 28
QUA 23 [-2, -1(3), 0(4), +1(2), +2(3), +3(6), +4(4)]
Spo 3 [+1, +3(2)]

Interval 2: 1322-1418 UT
Teff: 0.916h
F: 1.11
LM: 5.78
Total Meteors: 43
QUA 35 [-3, -2(2), -1(3), 0(4), +1(7), +2(6), +3(9), +4(3)]
ANT 1 [+3}
COM 2 [+2(2)]
Spo 7 [+1, +2(3), +3, +4(2)]


--
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