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(meteorobs) Re: SW Florida Perseid max
We got lucky: sky was clearing at our site after 3AM. Got final 1.5 hrs in
sky 6.8, was surprised at the improvement. Perseids below normal, best only
28. Some bright ones were two -3, three -2, one -1, nice show.
Norman McLeod, lat 26.5, long 81.5W
UT 726-826 1.00 22 PER 5 SPOR LM var, 30%cloudy; Joan count 14
826-926 1.00 28 PER 1 KCG 1 CAP 4 SPOR LM 6.8; Joan count 34
926-951 0.42 19 PER 2 SPOR LM 6.8; Joan count 13
Joan came along for the show, her combined counts are given. Here is a
basic meteor count done by an untrained observer. This is the definition of
a count. I recorded data as usual. Naturally I know how many I saw each
hour, but that does not alter the meaning of a "count."
This morning's results help verify that I would have had similar results in
1993 and 1994, as I saw only a handful of Perseids under poorer conditions.
In recent years, at least since 1990, the peak has become very concentrated
at the expense of the surrounding hours. I consider 40 to be average, which
is what I got most years 1964-75. The 80's were better but irregular, then
the 90's have slumped. I missed the 1977 strong year to clouds; next year I
got a 69 which was my best to that date. The strong year 1969 was tarnished
by clouds; best I got was 55 in 50% cloudy sky. In 1980 I had 39 in sky 6.5
but almost everywhere else a very good display occurred. Finally, in 1981,
I had a great Perseid shower, topping at 100 in sky 7.3; this was not seen
in many other locations. Downhill from there ever since. Geminids remain
the undisputed best shower, and reliable as well (consistent from year to
year at 80-85).
We didn't go out this morning until 230AM, when the latest sat picture
showed clearing heading our way. After sky 6.8 ended at 553AM we stayed
until 607AM. I saw only 3 more and Joan 1 more.
Both of us saw the Kappa Cyg, a +5 lasting 2 sec. Was at Joan's limit, she
wasn't sure it was real at first. I was happy to see even one KC. Most in
an hour I've ever seen is 3, and that was about it for the night. And I've
never seen a KC fireball. Why does Europe see good KC rates all the time??
Nice slow meteors but only a handful to see.
If clear tonight I will start at 226AM and get 3.5 hrs in. Probably little
to see any earlier than that.
Norman
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