[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
(meteorobs) Importance of quality posting (was Re: telescopic meteor?)
The 'meteorobs' forum is read by over 500 people world-wide, including many very
serious amateurs and professional astronomers. As such, it behooves all posters
to consider both what questions they ask and ESPECIALLY any responses they give
via the list - both for the relevance and the quality of the post.
That being said, the 'meteorobs' list IS intended to be completely open to any
sincere question *about meteors*, regardless the experience level of the person
asking the question... The emphasis there, though, is that the vast bulk of such
questions must and should be "about meteors"!
Otherwise, the value of this forum for all participants decreases rapidly: for
after all, those who are busy pursuing the science of meteors (and who thus may
be most knowledgeable about it) will usually have little or no time to wade
through hundreds of off-topic threads!
For the above reasons, I feel forced to respond to certain recent posts on a
number of counts. First, it may be "time to reconsider this report" - but it is
NOT time for *us* to reconsider it... This isn't a mailing list about NEOs (Near
Earth Objects), UFOs, sprites (a meteorological phenomenon), aurorae, bird
watching, or any of several other topics that have recently turned up here!
These topics occasionally come up here because of WHAT THIS LIST *IS* ABOUT: the
observation of meteors! That is simply because meteor observers spend many hours
of their time directing their attention to the night sky - and in the process,
see a variety of things (including artificial satellites, naked eye celestial
objects, birds, aircraft, aurorae) which they are *casually curious about*.
Second, I have observed your posts to this list with an open mind for the past
year or so that you've been here, and have noticed an upsetting pattern, Dave:
you seem intent on finding extraordinary (or even bizarre) interpretations for
any and all things you observe in the night sky.
This intentness appears now to extend even to the assumptions you make in simple
calculations: I did a rough BOE calculation, and found a 7 meter wide phalanx of
migrating geese could subtend 8 arcminutes and move 1 degree of arc during 2
seconds, just by flying 60mph at a reasonable altitude of 10,000'! (A smaller
group of birds or bird could naturally fly slower and at yet lower altitude!)
Finally, Dave, some of your assumptions about the possibility of an asteroidal
near-visit were highly questionable... A 500' object at an altitude of 65 miles
would create an amazing fireball, temporarily blinding any telescopic observer,
and being noted by thousands. Also, I believe anything passing Earth at less
than 25000 mph would either enter our atmosphere or earth orbit?!
Now all of the above are data which should be readily accessible to ANYONE who
has been reading this amateur scientific forum ('meteorobs') for over a year.
Nonetheless, I have *NO DESIRE* to single out Dave English in any way! Nor do I
wish to debate this or any similar subject with anyone in this forum... (Nor am
I interested enough in this thread, or in anyone's particular views on it, to
debate it in any other forum, for that matter!)
I'm merely forced to point out that more and more recent posts have been, not
just off-topic, but of questionable value to the readership of this list. As
both a participant and administrator of this list, I strongly encourage ALL of
our subscribers to pursue whatever sincere interest they have in *the science of
meteors* via this list (that is why we're all here!), but to please pursue any
*OTHER* interests each of you may have VIA SOME ALTERNATE FORUM.
Consider this a reminder of the etiquette which currently governs this list.
Thanks, and clear skies to all!
Lew Gramer
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the 'meteorobs' email list, use the Web form at:
http://www.tiacdot net/users/lewkaren/meteorobs/subscribe.html
References: