(meteorobs) Obs: late August/early Sept

[Paul Martsching]

I will try to catch up on some meteor reports.  

I really do not like to be so uncertain when it comes to "meteor shower assignment".  The IMO#149 and SPE radiants are close enough together that meteors traveling at some angles are very difficult to distinguish, not to mention meteors that begin a long way from the two radiants.  (And no, plotting would not help!  When I see a meteor my attention is on the meteor, so only the brighter stars "register".  Only if there is at least a brief train, can I more definitely see where the path was.)  I use the "string method" to attempt to determine shower association, but I still often have my doubts.  So in my report IMP#149 and SPE are "best attempt at the time" identifications. 

Usual observing site at McFarland Park Observatory 4 miles NE of Ames, Iowa.
Long: 93 deg 34 min W  Lat: 42 deg 05 min N  Elevation: 318 meters

Friday/Saturday Aug 30/31 2013 02:45-03:45 am CDST (= 31 August 2013 07:45-08:45 UT)
72 deg F; dew point 67 deg F; wind North 9 mph; clear; lightning in far SE; 1/4 lit Moon behind tree during most of hour; facing North 50 deg; aver LM 5.4
AUR: one: +1 
SPE: one: +3
Sporadics: five: +2; +3(4)
Total meteors: seven

Saturday/Sunday Aug 30/Sep 01: clouded out

Sunday/Monday 01/02 September 2013 01:35-04:35 am (= 02 September 2013 06:35-09:35 UT)

02 Sep 2013 06:35-07:35 UT 62 deg F; dew pt 56 deg F; wind NW 7 mph; clear; aver LM 5.8; facing East 50 deg; teff 1.0 hour.
ANT: one:+2
ORI: one: 0
SPE: one: +4
IMO#149: one; +4
Sporadics: four: - 3; +2; +3(2)
Total meteors: eight

02 Sep 2013 07:35-08:35 UT 60 deg F; dew pt 56 deg F; wind NW 9 mph; clear; aver LM 5.8; facing East 50 deg; teff 1.0 hour.
ANT: two: +1; +2
AUR: two: - 3; - 2
SPE: two: 0; +4
Sporadics: seven: -1(2); +1; +2(2); +3(2)
Total meteors: thirteen

02 Sep 2013 08:35-09:35 UT 59 deg F; dew pt 55 deg F; wind N 8 mph; clear; general diffuse haze and veryt heavy dew by end of hour; Venus in East in central Gemini; thin crescent Moon rose during the hour - was behind a distant tree awhile; facing East 50 deg; ave LM 5.4; teff 1.0 hour.
ANT: one: - 2
AUR: one: -5	fifteen second train
Sporadics: three: - 1; +1; +2
Total meteors: five
No good explanation as to why so few meteors.  Maybe Venus and the thin crescent Moon were ruining my night vision - along with the general haze.  Quit because of Moonlight.  Saw no more meteors while leisurely packing up to leave.

Monday/Tuesday 02/03 September 2013 02:40-04:40 am CDST (= 03 Sep 2013 07:40-09:40 UT)

03 Sep 2013 07:40-08:40 UT 49 deg F; dew pt 48 deg F; wind calm; clear; aver LM 5.7; facing East 50 deg; teff 1.0 hour.
ANT: one: +1
IMO#149: four: +1; +3(3)
SPE: one: +2
Sporadics: two: +1; +3
Total meteors: eight

03 Sep 2013 08:40-09:40 UT 48 deg F; dew pt 46 deg F; wind calm; clear; ave LM 5.7; facing East 50 deg; teff 1.0 hour.
ANT: two: +1; +2
IMO#149: two: +3(2)
SPE: one: +3
Sporadics: eight: +2(5); +3(2); +4
Total meteors: thirteen