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re: (meteorobs) Recording Meteors
An interesting idea, Jonathen. However, I'd be a little nervous about
holding onto a wire connected (through the computer) to power, when I'm
outside all damp and colored with dew.
Second, does it really take you a full minute to write the meteor
information down? Have you timed yourself? Won't you have to look at a
chart for color, etc. It is an interesting idea though. We had a discussion
a while back about using a laptop computer for recording data. Someday when
I can afford one maybe, I'll give it a try. Keep thinking... those are
just thoughts I had...whatever works for you as long as you get the right
information recorded :-)
wayne
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Original Text
From: "Thomas Wojack" <pued@msndot com>, on 5/26/96 9:41 AM:
To: <meteorobs@latradedot com>
Since it takes me 60>seconds to record each meteor, I would be eaten alive
during major showers(Geminids,Leonids)! Here is the easiest way of
recording
meteors I have ever seen(I invented this. I *did not* get this from
someone
else.)
I found out a year ago that my computer has a"tape recorder". I believe it
will record for an unlimited length. You can store hours of recording on a
floppy disk!
Well, in the last month or so, I have learn the basics of electronics. For
my
family, have made the following:a clock alarm, a doorbell, and a security
system. Well, for the last 10 days I have been trying to think how I could
link meteor recording to electronics to make it easier.
Here is my novel idea...
I attached a buzzer to my speakerphone on the computer. So, when the buzzer
goes off, the computer records it. I attached a transformer to the buzzer
for
electrical power. The wire goes outside, and the operator only needs a
switch. When the switch goes on, the buzzer goes on, and the computer
records
it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
-----------------------------------------------------------
OPERATION
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
----------------------------------------------------------
You see a mag 2 meteor,speed 2, white, 1/2 second train, which is a
geminid.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
----------------------------------------------------------
1.You buzz for 5 seconds(This signals that just a few seconds ago, you saw
the
meteor. When you go back an analyze the data, the program has a timer, so
you
can determine when the meteor occured, accurate within 5 seconds.).
2.You buzz 3 times, each interval is 1 second long(This signals
magnitudedot below is a chart).
buzzes mag
---------------------------------
1 0
2 1
3 2
4 3
5 4
6 5
7 6
8 -1
9 -2
10 -3,etc.
--------------------------------
3.You buzz 3 times(This signals speed, using the mag scale.).
4.You buzz once(This signals color. A sample chart is below.).
buzzes color
----------------------------------------------------------
1 white
2 red
3 orange
4 green
5 blue
---------------------------------------------------------
5.You buzz 2 times(This signals train length, based on the chart below.).
buzzes length
--------------------------------------------------------------
1 1/4 second
2 1/2 second
3 3/4 second
4 1 second
5 2 seconds,etc.(trains into the minutes may
become troublesome!)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
6.You buzz ? times(This signals shower. The charts will vary, of course.).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
---------------------------------------------
Please let me know what you think about this!!!
Jonathan