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(meteorobs) Re: FWD: [August meteor query]




Hi, Lina, and thanks for writing! Following are two short articles on the 
Meteor Showers of Summer. The first covers observing the Perseids, while the 
second describes some of the other worthwhile meteor events this summer.

The Perseids are NOT destined to be at their best this particular year because 
of the moon's light interference, so other showers are very worth watching. In 
particular, you are from a more southerly location in the US. So if you take 
the time to watch AFTER MIDNIGHT, you should see nice activity from a shower 
memorably named "South Delta Aquarids", around July 28-30!

If you have any other questions, or would like to learn more about meteor 
observing in general, don't hesitate to write us again! You can also always 
visit our Web site at:
    http://www.tiacdot net/users/lewkaren/meteorobs

Clear skies in LA, and take care!
Lew Gramer
Medford, MA

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"Perseids", from Gary Kronk's Annual Meteor Calendar at:
    http://medicine.wustldot edu/~kronkg/calendar.html

  Activity from this meteor shower is visible from about July 23 until August 
22. At the time of Maximum on August 12/13, the radiant [where all the meteors 
appear to trace back to] is located [in the constellation Perseus, in the 
northern sky]. The hourly rate typically reaches 80, although some years have 
been as low as 4 and as high as 200. The meteors tend to be very fast, quite 
bright, and about 45% leave persistent trains...

History
  This is the most famous of all meteor showers. It never fails to provide an 
impressive display and, due to its summertime appearance, it tends to provide 
the majority of meteors seen by non-astronomy enthusiasts.
  The earliest record of its activity appears in the Chinese annals, where it 
is said that in 36 AD "more than 100 meteors flew thither in the morning." 
Numerous references appear in Chinese, Japanese and Korean records throughout 
the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th centuries...

------------------------------------------------------------------

Hot Summer Falling Stars (by Lew Gramer)
------------------------
As most Northerners know, the night skies of Late Summer are frequently hazy,
often offering poor views through telescopes. On the other hand, with the warm
weather and visits to dark-skied vacation spots on our calendars, these hot
months can be an excellent time for meteor watching - casual or otherwise!

Many people may be unnecessarily discouraged from meteors this Summer, since
the Perseids - that ancient shower of mid-August which never fails to produce
high rates - will be sorely affected by bright moonlight. But what many fail
to realize, even as they stand at their telescopes on dark Summer nights, is
that the Perseids are not the only Summer shower which puts on a good show!

Among the several "minor" meteor showers active during Summer months, the
"Aquarid/Capricornid complex" is far the most prominent. Throughout July and
August, careful watchers under dark skies after midnight will see many meteors
falling all over the sky, the majority appearing to trace back to (or "radiate
from") the constellations of the Water Bearer and the Seagoat in the South.

In particular, moonless mornings leading up to July's end - when the Southern
Delta Aquarids reach their peak - will show avid watchers as many as 40 or
more meteors per hour. (This number includes meteors from other showers too,
as well as the non-shower meteors or "sporadics" visible all year round.)

For dark AM hours in August and September this year, the "Aurigid complex" and
late Perseids will provide many swift meteors. The Perseids may still be seen
throughout August, while the Aurigids peak in early September.

FOUR THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND when planning a Meteor Watch: 1) Comfort - it gets
mighty COLD lying under the night sky, even in Summer! 2) Meteors will be seen
in all directions and areas of the sky - NOT just near radiants. 3) Meteor
rates go up rapidly after midnight - usually the later the better! 4) If you
have any interest at all, try NOTING WHAT YOU SEE: not only will you be doing
a potential service to meteor science, but you may actually be the ONLY METEOR
OBSERVER IN THE WORLD gathering data on that particular night...

For information on scientific meteor watching, drop me a line or check out:
        html://www.tiacdot net/users/lewkaren/meteorobs

Lew Gramer
77 Magoun Ave.
Medford, MA  02155
USA
dedalus@latrade.com


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