(meteorobs) May 3/4, 2016 ETA observation from North Florida

[Paul Jones]

Hi again all,
     Here is a more detailed report on my one hour ETA session from up on
the "meteor roof" this morning.  One correction from the summary report: it
was 17 total meteors vice 18.

May 3/4, 2016, Observer: Paul Jones, Location 5 miles southwest of St.
Augustine, Florida

0410-  0510 EDT (0810 - 0910 UT) Teff: 1.0 hours, No breaks LM: 6.0, Clear,
Facing: South

8 ETA: 0, +2, +3(3), +4(2). +5(1)
1 ELY: +4
1 ANT:  -1
7 SPO: +1, +2, +3(3), +4(1), +5(1)
17 total meteors

5 of the 8 ETAs left visible trains (strangely though, the zero mag ETA did
not)

I had two ETAs in quick succession about 15 seconds apart no more than
three minutes into the watch, then it took about 20 minutes for me to see
another.   As usual, most of the ETAs I saw were long-pathed and left nice
trains.  They looked like quick, glowing  darts being thrown up into the
sky from someone standing on the southeastern horizon.  I love the ETAs for
this visual effect that only they seem to be able to produce in quite this
way.

The one eta Lyrid (ELY) was faint and short going south near the bottom of
Lyra, it will be interesting to see how this little shower evolves over the
course of the next few mornings and this minor radiant is an added bonus to
ETA watches in early May.

The top meteor of the morning was by far the ANT!  It started in Ophiuchus
and slowly paced its way northeastward going all the way over to the NE
edge of Cygnus.  It glittered and sparked all along its path and left a
thin train behind it.  It alternately glowed gold, silvery white, yellow
and orange during the almost five seconds I had it in sight.  Not 30
seconds after that beauty finally ended, a nice +2 ETA popped going
northwestward right over part of the track the ANT had just taken.

I must have seen about a dozen satellites during the watch as well, going
in just about  every direction save east to west....;o).

It looks like we have a frontal system coming through today or early
tomorrow that should sweep out the skies behind it and give us a few cool
and clear nights for the maximum period.  Hopefully, I can report for
several more mornings.

Clear skies all, Paul
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