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(meteorobs) Radiant Lists



-- [ From: Robert Lunsford * EMC.Ver #2.10P ] --

It seems that the June Lyrids has started a slight controversy as to
the validity of radiants not on the IMO list. There is no doubt that
the current IMO (and NAMN) lists contain only showers that are easily
distinguished by the visual observer. Novice observers should use this
list as their guide to observing shower meteors.

Radiants removed from this list have been shown to have such a low
activity profile as to be difficult to visually distinguish from the
sporadic background. This does not mean that they do not exist. When I
started to observe meteors, Cook's list was the best available. And yes,
the June Lyrids were on that list. I used this list faithfully until
the IMO came on into the scene in 1988. I have years of data on showers
now removed from current lists. Does this mean I cannot watch for
activity from these radiants? Certainly not, and as Mark Davis
explained in his last message, the IMO will still accept data on these
showers as long as they are first listed as sporadics, and then
separated into their individual categories. 

There are several newcomers that are eager to observe. So far this year
only the Lyrids have wetted their appetite for observing and weather
did not cooperate for all of them. Offering the June Lyrids as a target
shower is not a good idea. Novice meteor observers will tend to
overestimate the activity from radiants such as these. Lord knows I did
it back in the 70's when called upon to observe the Upsilon Pegasids. 

I am not saying that these observers should stay in bed in mid-June, 
just be very careful and list each June Lyrid as a sporadic with a
notation that it is a possible JLY. Also try to give as much detail
about each meteor in question as possible. This will help determine the
possible association with this shower.

Bob Lunsford