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Resend Re: (meteorobs) Re: 2 pre-max Geminid nights
In a message dated 97-01-27 17:20:54 EST, you write:
<< Concerning George's comment about the large numbers of Geminid meteors
seen
from Europe, I attribute this to better perception alone. We have recently
discussed how many more observers today are above the long-term average
perception for meteors seen, and Europe has recently developed a
concentration of this type of observer. Australia had the same thing going
on during the early 80's. The Geminids have no definite peak, but the
maximum rates last a full day so everyone can see these every dark year. I
consistently see top rates in the low 80's no matter when any "exact peak"
occurs.
>>
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Norman,
I have to agree with you that I believe Europe has a good concentration of
observers with excellent perceptions...but I don't think their exceptional
high rates for the 1996 Geminids could be totally explained by this. I
believe Rainer and Rendtel reported counts for almost a similar number of
hours as I in the neighborhood of over 600?( I'm going totally on memory at
the moment.). I once had the pleasure of having both of these gents
observing with Lunsford and I during the 1995 Eta Aquarids and kinda got a
"feel" for their observing abilities. I believe to recall thinking to myself
that Rainer seemed to have about the same or a hair better perception
abilities as I. I sort of use Rainer as my own personal yardstick to gauge
activity over in Europe. It's not entirely precise, but ball parkish enough
to think I can note any major upswings beyond our observing abilities.
George Zay