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(meteorobs) Re: Yorktown meteors
Dave,
Actually a solar longitude of 208.0 back in 1781 would have occurred at
23:22 UT on October 16. This would have been on the evening of October
16, 1781 in eastern USA. Taking into consideration that the Orionids can
produce good activity several days before or after the predicted
maximum, it does not surprise me that good rates were seen the following
night.
The Orionids can produce occasional strong (ZHR ~50) displays. Just
recently there was also a good display of Orionid fireballs several days
before the predicted maximum. Although rates at that time were only 10
or less per hour, the bright meteors would certainly attracted the
attention of anyone outside at that time.
Clear Skies!
Bob Lunsford
Dave Hostetter wrote:
>
> While doing some reading over the weekend, I came across a reference to a
> shower of meteors that occurred on the evening of October 17, 1781, the
> night a truce was declared at the end of the battle of Yorktown in the
> American Revolution. I think these were probably the Orionids because using
> the Orionids' solar longitude of 208 degrees yields a peak that year just
> after 23 hours UT on the 17th, which would have been shortly after sunset in
> Virginia (the Orionid radiant would have risen there about 10 PM). My
> question: is 208 degrees the correct solar longitude to use? Has the solar
> longitude of the Orionids' peak varied over the centuries, and if so, by how
> much?
>
> Dave Hostetter
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