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(meteorobs) May 05/06 ETA's very active from Hawaii.



Given that the ETA's are one of the most moonlight-favored showers this
year, and my near-disaster LYR observations from Oahu, I decided it
safer to travel to Haleakala National Park on Maui for the peak night
May 05/06. The potential for cloud/rain anytime at low elevations here
is a significant threat for meteor obs, and the predicted dry and stable
upper level airmass over the Hawaiian island chain last night made it a
virtual certainty for pristine conditions above the inversion layer. So
off I went to the 10,000 foot summit, for my observations. Only a dead
battery (!) in my Alamo rentacar spoiled an otherwise fantastic meteor
session. Without any heat during my breaks, my notes started to suffer
badly from the "shakes" near the end.

Yet, the perfectly clear skies and consistent LM 6.7 or better made for
a very productive 4.55 hr Teff. With no less than 8 separate active or
potential radiants, it was more of a challenge than usual for binning
the candidates accurately. Overall, 39 ETA and 75 non-ETA (divided
equally between minor shower and SPO) were recorded in 4.55 hr. This is
a high background rate (16.5/hr), but it fits the general impression of
a really large number of faint meteors of all classes being seen. The
ETA were also heavily weighted towards faint members. My mean ETA
magnitude was 3.92, for an "average" r=2.7 shower. As for the rates, the
ETA counts exploded as dawn approached, with about 30 seen in the last
hour before twilight.

I also made an attempt to watch for some possible Virgo area radiant
reported near 14:07 +01. 5 moderate speed candidates were seen.

Except for a lack of any bright meteors, the night was definitely in a
class by itself for non-stop meteoric action!

Mike Linnolt

REPORT FOLLOWS:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
OBS: Mike Linnolt (LINMI)
DATE: May 06, 2000
TIME: 0820 - 1444 UT (10:20pm - 04:44am HST May 05/06)
LOC: Haleakala NP, Maui, HI (20° 40' N, 156° 20m W)
ELEV: 3000m
Conditions: Sky 100% clear. Temp 42F. RH <20%. Winds Moderate.
METHOD: Paper


Observing Periods Summary:
==========================

# Period(UT) FOV      Teff   F    LM     ETA ECL APX ABO MVI ASC CAU vr?
SPO
  ---------- ---      ----   -    --     --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
---
1 0820-0923  11h +00  1.00  1.00  6.7     0   1   0   2   2   2   0  
2   9
2 0954-1027  12h +00  0.38  1.00  6.7     0   0   0   0   0   2   0  
0   6
3 1108-1210  13h +00  1.00  1.00  6.8     0   3   3   1   2   0   0  
2   7
4 1222-1324  14h +00  1.00  1.00  6.7     9   1   4   0   1   2   1  
1   7
5 1330-1444  17h +00  1.17  1.00  6.7    30   3   0   0   0   1   1  
0   9

vr? = A reported radiant at 14:07 +01
ECL = Anthelion radiant = SAG

Periods Detail:
===============

Period #1:
----------

Mag->_-3___-2___-1____0___+1___+2___+3___+4___+5___+6
-------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+
ETA:................................................. = 0
ECL:..................1.............................. = 1
APX:................................................. = 0
ABO:............................1.........1.......... = 2
MVI:......................................1....1..... = 2
ASC:.................................1....1.......... = 2
CAU:................................................. = 0
vr?:............................1....1............... = 2
SPO:............................1.........4....2....2 = 9

DEAD TIME: 3 min

Note: ETA and APX radiant not risen yet.


Period #2:
----------

Mag->_-3___-2___-1____0___+1___+2___+3___+4___+5___+6
-------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+
ETA:................................................. = 0
ECL:................................................. = 0
APX:................................................. = 0
ABO:................................................. = 0
MVI:................................................. = 0
ASC:.................................1....1.......... = 2
CAU:................................................. = 0
vr?:................................................. = 0
SPO:.................................1....1....2....2 = 6

DEAD TIME: 10 min

Note: ETA and APX not risen yet. Period was interrupted and truncated
by unexpected visitors. Sky conditions remained excellent.


Period #3:
----------

Mag->_-3___-2___-1____0___+1___+2___+3___+4___+5___+6
-------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+
ETA:................................................. = 0
ECL:............................1.........1....1..... = 3
APX:......................................2.........1 = 3
ABO:......................................1.......... = 1
MVI:.................................1.........1..... = 2
ASC:................................................. = 0
CAU:................................................. = 0
vr?:...........................................1....1 = 2
SPO:.................................3....2....1....1 = 7

DEAD TIME: 2 min

Note: ETA radiant not risen yet, but APX has risen.


Period #4:
----------

Mag->_-3___-2___-1____0___+1___+2___+3___+4___+5___+6
-------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+
ETA:............................2....1....4....1....1 = 9
ECL:............................1.................... = 1
APX:.................................2....2.......... = 4
ABO:................................................. = 0
MVI:...........................................1..... = 1
ASC:.................................1.........1..... = 2
CAU:......................................1.......... = 1
vr?:.................................1............... = 1
SPO:.................................2....1....2....2 = 7

DEAD TIME: 2 min

Note: Average ETA mag=3.78


Period #5:
----------

Mag->_-3___-2___-1____0___+1___+2___+3___+4___+5___+6
-------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+
ETA:............................4....7....8....8....3 = 30
ECL:.......................1.........1.........1..... = 3
APX:................................................. = 0
ABO:................................................. = 0
MVI:................................................. = 0
ASC:...........................................1..... = 1
CAU:...........................................1..... = 1
vr?:................................................. = 0
SPO:.................................2....1....4....2 = 9

DEAD TIME: 4 min

Note: Dramatic increase in ETA in this 1.17 Teff just before twilight
began. Average ETA mag=3.97

Note on vr?: An attempt was made to verify a reported radiant at 14:07
+01. The reporting observer stated that 3 plotted meteors intersected 
at this location, and were of moderate speed. My observed total of 5
of these were also moderate speed.

END OF REPORT.
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