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Re: (meteorobs) October 09/10 Observation
In a message dated 96-10-18 08:30:47 EDT, you write:
<< George,
Thanks for the input and advice. Actually, this is something I have not even
thought of doing, I guess due to being concerned with exceeding the 20 to 40
degree distance from radiant requirement. But I also have a follow-up
question: if the radiant is outside your field, then its possible that you
would not be able to identify the begin point of a meteor, and so wouldn't
be able to plot it. In these cases, do you just note time, magnitude, etc.
and list it as a sporadic, or do you completely ignore that one meteor?
Thanks,
Mark Davis
MeteorObs@charlestondot net
>>
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The 20 to 40 degrees from a radiant is only a recommended optimum region to
observe at. You may not be able to always observe in this region for a
variety of reasons and have to compromise just exactly where you hold your
gaze. You record your field of view location so it's noted that you may not
be at the best spot. But you shouldn't ignore any meteors of any particular
shower just because the radiant is out of sight.
In cases where I caught a glimpse of a meteor and note its magnitude etc,
but didn't see enough to make a plot...Well, I do one of two things...First,
I try to make a general rough plot with an accuracy of 3 showing the meteor
traveling in a general direction that I got an impression of. If I can't do
this, I then note it as a sporadic. If the rough general plot should happen
to bring it anywhere near an active radiant and I felt the speed seemed about
right, then I will assigned it to that shower. Again don't ignore any
sighted meteors even if you didn't see it well enough to assign it a shower.
If nothing else, it becomes a sporadic. But make your best guess...this might
be done later at your leisure while you make your report.
George Z.