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Re: (meteorobs) 'large' meteor in Vancouver, Canada.

Hello Lewis,

You asked:

>BTW, for all those keyboard-weary non-astronomers out there who're just
trying to do their scientific duty, is there any way that FIDAC, MIAC, AMS,
et al might all manage to use a single set of data, and share the input
from their various forms among each other? 
This is a good question, and I am sure it must be perplexing to decide with
whom to file a fireball report.  As far as I know, however, the IMO does
not (yet?) engage in free and active data exchange programs.  For the last
few years the AMS has been forwarding copies of our received fireball
reports to the IMO's FIDAC.  In exchange, the IMO has only offered to sell
us their published annual fireball report.  We have found this neither
timely nor convenient, and have since discontinued the forwarding of data.

At the same time, we have also begun to look for ways to re-activate and
revamp our own fireball program.  We now have affiliated with us Dr.
Vladimir Getman, an internationally recognized fireball expert who is
currently working with Penn State University.  While no formal program or
project has been established, we are looking for ways in which to support
Dr. Getman's interest and potential research, especially in those areas in
which amateur scientists can actively participate.

The problem of multiple forms and organizations becomes even worse when you
go beyond fireball reports and into visual meteor data in general.  While
having different forms and catering to somewhat different audiences, the
ALPO/NAMN complex essentially acts as a data collection satellite for the
IMO, which has ITS own forms.  The AMS and IMO currently have no means of
exchanging data, although the AMS will accept copies of data recorded on
IMO forms.  The serious visual meteor observer gets caught in the middle,
either having to choose between organizations, or having to make multiple
copies and multiple mailings.  it can be rather confusing.

In addition, overlapping memberships and interests lead to the severe
rivalries which have become all to evident on this list.  This leaves a bad
taste in everyones mouth, and is quite counterproductive.  I am in this
field because I love the science, NOT the politics!

I look forward to the day when meteor organizations (and the persons
involved) can treat each other with mutual respect and cooperation,
including the free exchange of data in all directions.  In this manner a
single visual observer can send off their work to a single organization of
their choice, and yet still potentially contribute to research in multiple
areas in multiple places.  It will take much work and some attitude changes
to reach this point, however.

Speaking very honestly here for a moment (and NOT wishing to reopen the old
debate), all I have ever heard from the IMO is the rather imperialistic cry
to "unite and standardize" under their banner, a "solution" which is
unacceptable to the AMS.  We are an autonomous organization organized to
support amateur-professional collaborative research in North America, and
we wish to remain as such.  In failing to gain our subordination, the IMO
has leveled more open and published criticism against the AMS in its young
history than I care to recall -- a soap box which the IMO's U.S. supporters
have gleefully taken up.  In all of this I find it difficult to see a
foundation upon which mutual cooperation can be achieved.  In the meantime,
current visual observers wind up being tugged in all directions, and
potential observers get turned off by the strife.

In short, Lewis, i do not know if there is a way toward cooperation or not.
 I have heard the complaint about multiple forms and multiple organizations
from several quarters over the last few years, but I fail to see a viable
solution in the near future.  The AMS recognizes that many of our serious
meteor observers will wish to also be IMO members, and we are at least
looking for ways in which to make data recording and filing as convenient
as possible for such members.  Perhaps one day...

OK, I realize that I have dragged out my own soap box here, but this is
actually an issue which I have pondered for some time.  My desire is not to
begin yet another round of flame-throwing, but is instead to possibly start
pointing the way towards that mutual respect that I would love to see.  It
would be rather nice to go into the Leonids and the next century in a
spirit of cooperation, rather than a dog-fight.

Take care, everyone,


Jim Richardson
AMS Radiometeor Project Coordinator
Graceville, Florida

richardson@digitalexp.com
http://www.serve.com/meteors/
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