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(meteorobs) Re: Persistent Train



Dave & All, 

I was out this morning and saw this same meteor from home. I called it
magnitude -5 and the train lasted almost exactly 60 seconds for me. From
my point of view the meteor traveled toward the north and was seen in
the constellations of Lynx and Ursa Major. The persistent train allowed
an easy trace of the backwards path which led to central Gemini. This
meteor was undoubtedly a member of the Epsilon Geminid shower, and the
only member of this shower seen this morning. Perhaps the train
visibility was cut short by the glow of San Diego to the north.

Many thanks to Lew Gramer for thoroughly answering Dave's question and
saving me the effort!

Bob Lunsford 


Dave English wrote:
> 
> Last night I was able to get in a few hours observing. At about
> 3:20 AM a fast -2 to -4 mag. meteor flashed a short 10 degrees or so
> between the Gemini stars Castor and Pollux, north of Orions Belt,
> leaving behind a smoky train that persisted for more than two minutes.
> Before the train dispersed it moved well out from between the stars
> toward the northwest.
> 
>      I hope Bob Lunsford saw this to give a better magnitute rating
> and say how long the train was visible as it fades out much quicker in
> my light polluted area. I couldn't see the Andromeda Galaxy without my
> binoculars. As for the meteor, I saw it at the limits of bending my
> head backwards as it appeared exactly opposite of the direction I was
> facing but I was able to see it all.
> 
>      Something I was wondering, I figured the train was about 1150
> feet wide (350 meters), aproximately .25 degree at 50 miles (80 km).
> So, what are the dynamics, in plain English, to cause a golf ball
> sized meteor 1.75 inch (44.45 mm) to spray a train out over 7800
> times its own width?
> 
>    Clear skies at last.             Dave English
> 
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