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RE: (meteorobs) Dim Meteors vs. Hallucinations
I have noticed this phenomenon on numerous occasions.
This morning, for example, at about 6:00 am EDT I was exploring a new
potential observing site. I am in downtown Atlanta and have severe light
pollution, especially when looking South. This morning I calculated a LM of
about -3 directly overhead but no visible stars to the South up to about 45
degrees - just a glowing haze. In about ten minutes I saw two meteors - one
a mag 1 and one a mag -2 - travelling in exactly the same direction. During
the same period I saw four of these "possibles." Part of the problem seems
to be that they are so dim that I am rarely looking right at them. Given the
light detecting geometry of the eye, not looking directly at them increases
the possibility of detection. One morning I tried to informally test the
hypothesis that these were meteors that were possibly fainter than the
calculated LM by fixing my gaze on a portion of the sky while trying to
detect faint meteors to either side of my line of sight. I convinced myself
that I was in fact seeing some very faint meteors.
I have thought about ways to test this more scientifically. For example, if
I assume that the faint meteors are as probable as the easily visible ones
then over any reasonably long observing period the number of "true" meteors
and the number of flashes should be about equal.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-meteorobs@jovian.com [mailto:owner-meteorobs@jovian.com]On
Behalf Of Chuck
Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2000 9:08 PM
To: meteorobs@jovian.com
Subject: (meteorobs) Dim Meteors vs. Hallucinations
During the East Coast U.S. early evening on Nov 17, I noticed, numerous
extremely dim, very rapid streams of light streaking across the sky.
You notice that I did not call these meteors! I have noticed similar
phenomenon during other meteor showers.
I am not sure if what I am "seeing" are visual hallucinations/illusions
or meteors at the threshold of what my eyes can see. During the Leonids
on Nov 17, I know that my mind wanted to see the storm that was
predicted, and I assumed that my brain was putting on a show for me. I
assume this because I did not see a mix of bright and dim meteors, but
only extremely dim, rapid meteors.
Anyone else out there ever have this experience (drug-free)???
Chuck Urrey
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