[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
(meteorobs) Observing Session Jan 11/12 + Unusual Radiant?
After returning to Hawaii from a 2 month "vacation" in California, I
decided to head up to the top of Haleakala for some Teff and telescopic
observations, before the moon wipes me out for the next 2 weeks.
Conditions were excellent, LM was about 5.9 or 6.0 in moonlight, maxing
out at 6.9 after moonset.
I was not expecting a whole lot of activity, since I was planning to
pack it up and head home before midnight, this being a work day. But, I
was so surprised to see meteors immediately after twilight ended! In
fact the first 2 came in rapid succession, so I immediately noted their
paths intersected south of Pegasus. Then, I saw more meteors from this
area, and I narrowed down the "radiant" to 00h +00°, +/-5°. All together
there were 7 slow to moderate speed "Piscids" from that area. This was
in contrast to 6 DCA in the same 2.75hr of Teff.
I know 7 meteors doesnt prove a new radiant, but the activity from that
area, compared to the DCA, and the more random directions of the
remaining SPO, makes me feel there is something there to warrant
investigation. In fact, the maximum activity occured right after
twilight, when the radiant was the highest, and decreased thereafter.
These were obviously not apex meteors, and the only published radiant
near this are the SPI, which occur during September.
The increasing moonlight will further interfere with confirmatory
observations over the next days, but I hope other observers could give
it some attention!
Also, I watched out for any "Lynxids" which were observed last week
during my QUA session. None were seen.
Sincerely,
Mike Linnolt
REPORT FOLLOWS:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
OBS: Mike Linnolt (LINMI)
DATE: Jan. 12, 2000
TIME: 0500 - 0920 UT (7pm - 11:20pm HST Jan 11/12)
LOC: Haleakala NP, Maui, HI (20° 40' N, 156° 20m W)
ELEV: 3000m
Conditions: Sky 100% clear. Temp 50F. RH <20%. Wind Calm.
METHOD: Paper
Observing Periods Summary:
==========================
# Period(UT) FOV Teff F LM DCA Pisces Lynx SPO
---------- --- ---- - -- --- ------ ---- ---
1 0500-0610 04h +70 1.0 1.00 5.9 1 4 0 2
2 0630-0735 06h +30 1.0 1.00 6.0 4 2 0 5
3 0805-0920 08h +40 0.75 1.00 6.3-6.9 1 1 0 8
Periods Detail:
===============
Period #1:
----------
Mag->_-3___-2___-1____0___+1___+2___+3___+4___+5___+6
-------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+
DCA:...........................................1..... = 1
Pis:............................2....1.........1..... = 4
Lyn:................................................. = 0
SPO:......................................1....1..... = 2
DEAD TIME: 10 min
Note: I noticed meteor activity from Pisces area immediately after
end of twilight. The apparent radiant was 00h +00° +/-5°. There
was an unexpectedly high rate from this radiant(?) given the early
time and the moonlight conditions.
Period #2:
----------
Mag->_-3___-2___-1____0___+1___+2___+3___+4___+5___+6
-------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+
DCA:............................1....1....2.......... = 4
Pis:......................................1....1..... = 2
Lyn:................................................. = 0
SPO:............................1....1....2....1..... = 5
DEAD TIME: 5 min
Note: Moonlight still a factor this entire period. There was less
activity from the Pisces radiant(?) than in the prior period, but
still noticeable.
Period #3:
----------
Mag->_-3___-2___-1____0___+1___+2___+3___+4___+5___+6
-------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+
DCA:..................1.............................. = 1
Pis:......................................1.......... = 1
Lyn:................................................. = 0
SPO:............................1.........1....3....3 = 8
DEAD TIME: 30 min
Note: Large dead time due to other telescopic observations being
performed. The LM changed significantly during this period, from
6.3 early, to 6.5 near moonset at 10:37 local time, to the maximum
6.9 during the last half of the period. Activity from the Pisces
area drop significantly, even though LM improved, most likely due
to lower radiant altitude.
----------
Note on "Lynx": Due to my observations on Jan 03/04, where several
meteors were observed from a possible radiant near 08h +55° in
Lynx, I made an effort to watch for any meteors from this area.
None were seen.
END OF REPORT.
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the 'meteorobs' email list, use the Web form at:
http://www.tiacdot net/users/lewkaren/meteorobs/subscribe.html
Follow-Ups: