(meteorobs) Xi Draconids

To: meteorobs@latradedot com
Subject: (meteorobs) Xi Draconids
From: LUNRO.IMO.USA@prodigydot com (MR ROBERT D LUNSFORD)
Date: Sat, 22 Jun 1996 16:16:04, -0500
Reply-To: meteorobs@latradedot com
Sender: owner-meteorobs

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

Lew,  

I will take a shot at summarizing what we have on the Xi Draconids.

First of all it is readily apparent that some minor activity occurred
from a radiant located just east of the "head" of Draco between June 10
and 17. This has been verified by 3 experienced observers.

The velocities seem to have been overestimated by all 3 observers.

The strongest rates were seen on the mornings of the 12th and 16th.

There is previous visual, photographic,and radio-echo evidence of this
shower.

The average orbit of these meteors seems to favor the Jupiter family of
comets. 

Many more years of observing by experienced observers will be necessary
before we know for sure that this is an annual shower. We do want to
make the same mistake that occurred with the Upsilon Pegasids when many
inexperienced observers were called upon to verify this shower. Many of
these observers reported everything they saw as Upsilon Pegasids
creating a totally bogus activity profile.

I am confident that our new observers will gain in experience over the
next few months so that they can help out when next June rolls around.

Many thanks to Gary Kronk for his quick analysis and the reporting of
his findings regarding this shower.

Many of these new displays turn out to be one time events. Many of them
also simply do not exist and were unintentionally fabricated by the
observer. I hope that the facts presented here prove the validity of
this radiant and that many observers are able to help verify activity
next year.

Bob Lunsford