(meteorobs) Taurids in Iowa

[Paul Martsching]

It was predicted to be partly cloudy last night, but it turned out to be mostly clear.  I observed for five hours total (one 5 minute break and a 5 minute interruption by a county deputy) from 0155 - 0705 UT.  Going out as early as 8 pm local time is ok for the Taurids.  But this night, especially during the first two hours, the jet traffic was rather annoying - nearly always two jets in FOV and often three, sometimes four.   Later in the night the jet traffic subsided to a less annoying level.  The only other people watching at McFarland Park was a young Chinese couple who stayed a couple hours.  They got to see the best meteor of the night - a mag - 7 white STA with 2 second train going thru Orion.  I wonder what they thought of the unhappy coyote that howled for half an hour off to the South.  They left soon after the bright Taurid appeared (12:27 pm CST).  I left at 01:05 CST because I was tired and getting cold.  

As usual with the Taurids assignment to NTA or STA is often uncertain, especially with meteors beginning a ways from the radiant areas.

My usual spot on the dead end road near Adams Observatory at McFarland Park 4 miles NE of Ames, Iowa.

07 Nov 2015 0155 - 0255 UT 37 deg F; dew pt 31 deg F; wind W 7 mph; clear; LM 5.7; facing E 50 deg; teff 1.0 hr
NTA: two: - 2; +2
STA: four: 0(2); +1(2)
Sporadics: three: +2; +3(2)
Total meteors: nine

Five minute break 0255 - 0300 UT

07 Nov 2015 0300 - 0400 UT 37 deg F; dew pt 31 deg F; wind W 8 mph; clear; LM 5.7; facing E 50 deg; teff 1.0 hr
NTA: one: +3
STA: two: 0; +1
Sporadic: one: +3
Total meteors: four (no apparent reason for so few meteors)

07 Nov 2015 0400 - 0500 UT 39 deg F; dew pt 32 deg F; wind W 9 mph; clear; LM 5.7; facing E 50 deg; teff 1.0 hr
NTA: four: - 1; 0; +2; +3
STA: two: - 4; +3
Sporadics: five: 0; +2(3); +3
Total meteors: eleven

07 Nov 2015 0500 - 0600 UT 37 deg F; dew pt 31 deg F; wind W 8 mph; clear till ~ 0530, then sometimes strips and patches of very thin haze/cloud drifting thru FOV; average LM 5.5; facing E 50 deg; teff 1.0 hr
AND: one: +2
ORI: two: 0, +2
NTA: one: - 1
STA: four: - 5; - 3; +1; +3
Sporadics: four: +3(4)
Total meteors: twelve

07 Nov 2015 0600 - 0705 UT (5 minute interruption by county deputy) 36 deg F; dew pt 31 deg F; wind W 9 mph; mostly clear, but sometimes patches of thin haze/cloud drifting thru; average LM 5.5; facing E 50 deg; teff 1.0 hr
NTA: two: - 1; +1
STA: one: - 7
Sporadics: five: +1; +2; +3(3)
Total meteors: eight

Paul Martsching in Iowa