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RE: (meteorobs) Re: Leonid Meteors in the Classroom!



Peter, I'm also in NJ, and am a fairly experienced meteor observer. Even 
though Lew has replied, I'll take a crack at the answers, and clarify one 
thing he said.

1. Where would I look in the sky to see this event?
1. As Lew said, anywhere in the sky. While the Leonid meteors will appear 
to come from the head of Leo, if the paths are traced backwards past their 
starting point, they can appear anywhere. If you are observing before 
moonset (About 1AM here on the peak night) you don't want to face that way 
(west-southwest). If you face due east toward the radiant (ENE), meteors 
will be shorter and more difficult to notice. You should ideally keep your 
gaze about 50 to 70 degrees above the horizon, toward the darkest sky you 
have where you are.

2. What would be the best day to start observing?
2. Depends on what you want to see. The peak night is Nov 17th night into 
Nov 18th morning. (Lew said the 18th...that is correct, but it is the 
MORNING of the 18th). The ZHR exceeds 10 for about 2 nights before and one 
after...however that rate would only be under very dark (read NOT NJ) 
skies, just before morning twilight.

3. What would be the best time? AM or PM EST. to start observing?

3. Here in NJ, the source of the meteors clears the horizon at 10:51 PM. 
Normally, that would be the earliest time to start. However, this year, 
because the possible storm activity is expected at 9:08 PM (According to 
Asher and McNaught, and other sources), it may  be worth watching 
 beginning around 10PM. At that time, the meteors may just begin to graze 
the top of the visible "meniscus" of atmosphere above us, and this can 
cause very long "earth grazing" meteors. For the non-storm component of the 
shower, the highest rates will be seen toward dawn, when the radiant is 
highest in the sky. This typically is about 15 per hour under those clear 
dark skies. There is the possibilty of some enhancement of those rates this 
year, but that remains to be seen.

4. How many days is this expected to last?


4. That depends if you're a meteor nut like me or not.  The Dutch Meteor 
Society lists ZHR above 1 from Oct 25 to Nov 23. THe IMO gives the activity 
period as Nov 14-21 with rates that high. These are not for the faint 
hearted in November on the outer fringes (with less than one Leonid an hour 
visible).
So for reasonable rates for a self described layman, I'd say Nov 15/16 
through Nov 18/19. I've been watching for weeks :-)
	If you are in North Jersey, the NJAA will be holding a public viewing at 
the Voorhees State Park Campground (Near High Bridge) on the night of the 
17th-morning of the 18th. For info on getting there see the NJAA webpage at
 www.njaa.org
If the weather is good I will be there, if it's not good, I'll be where it 
is!

Wayne

----------
From: 	PBitterly@aol.com[SMTP:PBitterly@aol.com]
Sent: 	Tuesday, November 09, 1999 3:13 PM
To: 	meteorobs@jovian.com
Subject: 	Re: (meteorobs) Re: Leonid Meteors in the Classroom!

I live in New Jersey and I am an amateur at meteor observing. In layman's
language and terms I have some simple questions to ask so I may enjoy this
upcoming event.
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