(meteorobs) eta Aquarids from north Florida - May 6/7, 2013

[Paul Jones]

Hi again all,
    Wow!  The ETAs are indeed still doing their thing up there.  I had a
busy and productive pre-dawn hour observing them this morning from my side
yard here in St. Augustine.  I had pristene clear skies and a temperature a
little above 50 F/10 C (very cool for Florida in early May). A very
enjoyable watch. Here's my data:

May 6/7, 2013 0830 - 0930 UT (0430 - 0530 EDT) Observer: Paul Jones,
Location: 5 miles SW of St. Augustine, Florida, Teff 1.0, LM 6.5 Sky
conditions: Clear, Facing south.
19 eta Aquarids Mags: -1 (1), 0 (1), +1 (1), +2 (4), +3 (6), +4 (4), +5 (2)
1 Anthelion Mag: +2
11 sporadics Mags: +2 (1), +3 (4), +4 (3), +5 (3)
31 total meteors

Most of the ETAs came in single events, but there were three "mini-bursts"
during the hour - two identical +3 ETAs hit within a split second of each
other early in the hour, later,  one ETA and three sporadics all hit within
about one minute of one another and finally near the end of the hour, three
ETAs all hit within about 30 seconds of each other.  I was hoping for 20
total ETAs for the hour, but fell just short.  No complaints, though...;o).

Although I didn't count them, the artifical satellites seemed very numerous
this morning.  They almost rivaled the meteor count in number!   Seems as
if near earth space is getting mighty crowded these days!

A little over half of the ETAs left glittering trains that hung in the sky
for a second or two after the meteor, I'm sure that is why radio returns
for the ETAs have been good.   That and the long paths many of them have.
All in all the ETAs have proven to be a pleasant surprise and a great
shower to observe this year.  Especially in a rather off year for meteor
showers in 2013.!  I may give it another go in the morning as well,

Clear skies all,

Paul in north Florida
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