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Re: (meteorobs) Leonid storm predictions



In a message dated 11/9/99 3:52:48 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
rmn@aaocbn.aaodot gov.au writes:

<< In the next paragraph, Joe writes that we predict maximum rates
 of around 1000-1500 for 2000.  The dust trails in 2000 are hard to predict
 due to then lying in a region of our parameter space for which there is no
 historical data.  Using some assumptions about the geometry of the dust
 trails, we came up with a range of 100-5000 for these trails.  However, as
 we note in section 7 of our WGN article, the geometry that gives these
 higher rates, would also predict a major storm occurred in 1801.  This is
 highly unlikely.  >>

Rob -- Unfortunately, in the many press releases that have been issued about 
the Leonids concerning your predictions about future Leonid activity 
(including I think one even from from Armagh Observatory?) listed only the 
predicted hourly rates, sans any "disclaimers."  Most people only wish to 
read the raw numbers; they'll likely see the 5000 . . . not the 100!  If 
there was considerable uncertainty about the 2000 rates, then it might have 
been better to simply put a "?" rather than quote a specific rate.

-- joe rao  
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