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(meteorobs) Nov 9/10 Meteor Observations From California



My first observing session of November was held in the mountains of
Southern California. I watched for 3 hours and faced northward to try
to verify any Linearid activity. Out of 37 meteors seen this morning 
only 1 was a candidate for the Linearid shower. This is a stretch as 
came from an area 5 degrees east of Phecda, which is the wrong side of
this star.

As for the Leonids, I had a couple of candidates but their velocity was
too slow for the area of the sky in which they appeared. There was 
though, two active radiants in Cancer producing swift meteors. The 
first was near 136 (09:05) +22 which can probably be associated with 
the apex radiant. This produced 3 meteors. The second radiant, which
produced 3, and possibly 4 meteors, was centered at 133 (08:55) +32.
These 7 meteors were very "Leonid-like" and could have easily been
labeled as Leonids for anyone not plotting.

The Taurids were fairly active, especially the Northern branch. The 
highlight of the session was the fact the temperatures were still mild
when I had expected sub-freezing temperatures. The low point was being
harassed by mosquitoes who seem to have been as numerous as the
meteors. Don't they know it's time to head south for the winter?

November 9/10 1999

1015-1115 UT  0.93  6.62  1 NTA   1 STA   6 SPO    8  TOTAL
1115-1215 UT  0.90  6.61  1 NTA   0 STA  12 SPO   13  TOTAL
1215-1315 UT  0.88  6.50  4 NTA   0 STA  12 SPO   16  TOTAL

TOTALS:       2.71  6.58  6 NTA   1 STA  30 SPO   37  TOTAL


The first column gives the period watched stated in Universal Time (UT)
which is PST + 8 hours. The second column gives the percent of that
particular hour actually spent observing the sky. Time was lost for
plotting and data entry tonight. The third column gives the average
limiting magnitude estimated during each period with a minimum of 4
estimates using at least 2 and preferably 3 different sky areas close to
my center of view. The last several columns list the activity seen
during each period.

I was facing North at an altitude of 70 degrees during the entire
session. No breaks were taken. NTA = Northern Taurids, STA = Southern
Taurids, and SPO = Sporadic (random activity). 

Beginning Temperature/Relative Humidity:   47 F (8 C)  36%
Ending         "         "         "       44 F (7 C)  37%

MAGNITUDES:

NTA:    0 (1) +1 (1) +2 (1) +3 (2)+4 (1)              AVERAGE: +2.17
STA:   +2 (1)                                         AVERAGE: +2.00
SPO:    0 (3) +1 (4) +2 (1) +3 (8) +4 (12) +5 (1) +6 (1)
                                                      AVERAGE: +2.97

Bob Lunsford
San Diego, CA USA
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