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Re: (meteorobs) Meteor Observations from Central Virginia (Nov 10/11)
Even though we had an approaching cold front, I was able to squeeze in a
half hour of observations in less than ideal sky conditions.
0720 - 0750 UT 1 ORIONID 3 SPORADICS 5.8 L.M./.4 Cloud cover
I did not notice any activity coming from Ursa Major (no Linearids). The highlight was a
long -1 blue meteor coming from the SSE. It had very Geminid-like qualities (esp. the mediium speed).
Since the sky conditions were so bad, I will keep this report short. Now that we have lived in our
new home (15 NNE of Lynchburg VA) for about 10 days, I have been able to assess the limiting magnitude
as approaching 6.5 on the best nights and almost always a solid 6.3. I waited many years to have this
workable a sky right in my backyard! Hope that everyone is having a decent preparation period in anticipation
of the Leonids next week!! I will try and observe again tonight, should the cold front clear our area by 2300 local time.
In Astronomical Affinity - Felix A. Martinez
---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Robert Lunsford <lunro.imo.usa@prodigydot net>
Reply-To: meteorobs@jovian.com
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 14:11:31 -0800
>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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