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(meteorobs) Re: Next major shower
Robert Gardner wrote:
>
> I still don't know what's the meaning of this solar longitude with
> respect to observing meteors. It evidentially tells you where to be at
> the peak of the activity of a shower?
Robert, it does not tell you "where" but rather "when" a shower peaks in
intensity. Joe Rao has explained this thoroughly in his recent reply but
I would like to add that once you obtain the solar longitude and convert
it to Universal Time, you would then find out where on Earth it is dark
and where the radiant is nearest the zenith. This site would be the most
favorable for viewing a particular event. If indeed the Geminids peak at
262.3 (18 hours UT) it will be night throughout most of the eastern
hemisphere. Since the Geminid radiant is highest in the sky near
0100 local time the longitudes in eastern Asia centered on China would
have the best view.
> I have all kinds of books from basic astronomy to cosmology, astrometrics
> to relativity. I have quite a large library. However no mention of solar
> longitude. It can't really > represent the western position of the sun
> or our recent Leonids would have been in sunshine at the maximum. This
> must seem dumb of me, to someone who knows the answer.
This is no means being dumb, the concept of solar longitudes escapes
many
observers, even experienced ones!
> By the way if my health and weather are favorable, I hope to go to
> dark skies to observe the Geminids.
Robert, I am organizing a camping trip to the Southern California desert
to view the Geminids. If would would like to join us please contact me
privately.
Bob Lunsford
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