[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

(meteorobs) Ursids Peak report - Basically inactive.



Looks like another "Dud". I observed for 2.5hr Teff around the 
expected peak time (0540-0830 UT Dec 22) under pretty good 
conditions, and saw just 4 URS out of total of 33 meteors... And 3 
of them were mag 5!

Despite the fairly low radiant elevation, I was expecting to see 
much more based on the predictions. The sky conditions were 
fairly good, but a thin high cloud layer kept the LM below 6.5  (the 
normal clear sky LM at Joshua Tree). The clouds reflected a lot of 
light, and showed how much light pollution now encroaching from 
Palm Springs and Indio.

And on the drive out there, I was listening to KNX Newsradio and 
they had a short feature on tonights "Ursid meteor storm". They 
said to expect one meteor per minute starting at exactly 11:39pm. 
Whoops - Another case of bad media hype and inaccuracy. No 
wonder people don't believe in meteor showers anymore :(

On to the Quads!
And Merry Xmas to all.
Mike.

REPORT FOLLOWS:
================
OBS: Mike Linnolt (LINMI)
DATE: Dec. 22, 2000
TIME: 0540 - 0830 UT (09:40pm - 00:30am PST night of Dec 21/22)
LOC: Joshua Tree Nat'l Park, CA (33° 44' N, 115° 49' W)
ELEV: 1000m ?
Conditions: Mostly Clear. Temp 50F. RH 30%. Winds calm.
METHOD: Paper


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

# Period(UT) FOV   Teff  F   LM   URS ZPU COM APXs ANT SPO
  ---------- ---   ----  -   ---  --- --- --- ---  --- ---
1 0540-0642 06h+20 1.00 1.00  5.6   2   0   0   0    2   7
2 0650-0752 06h+40 1.00 1.00  6.1   1   0   3   0    2   9
3 0758-0830 07h+40 0.50 1.00  6.0   1   0   1   0    0   5

*COM = APX (north) (IMO designation)

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

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

Mag -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6      elev  r  ZHR
------------------------------------------------------
URS: 0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0  2  0 = 2   22° 3.0 14.3 +/-10.1
ZPU: 0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0  0  0 = 0
COM: 0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0  0  0 = 0
APXs 0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0  0  0 = 0
ANT: 0  0  0 0  0  0  0  2  0  0 = 2
SPO: 0  0  0 0  0  1  2  2  2  0 = 7

DEAD TIME: 2 min

Note: Thin high clouds reduced LM.

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

Mag -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6      elev  r  ZHR
------------------------------------------------------
URS: 0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0  1  0 = 1   24° 3.0 3.8 +/-3.8
ZPU: 0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0  0  0 = 0
COM: 0  0  0 0  0  0  1  1  1  0 = 3
APXs 0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0  0  0 = 0
ANT: 0  0  0 0  0  1  1  0  0  0 = 2
SPO: 0  0  0 0  1  1  1  3  3  0 = 9

DEAD TIME: 2 min

Note: High clouds decreased this period.

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

Mag -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6      elev  r  ZHR
------------------------------------------------------
URS: 0  0  0 0  0  0  1  0  0  0 = 1   26° 3.0 7.9 +/-7.9
ZPU: 0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0  0  0 = 0
COM: 0  0  0 0  0  0  0  1  0  0 = 1
APXs 0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0  0  0 = 0
ANT: 0  0  0 0  0  0  0  0  0  0 = 0
SPO: 0  0  0 0  1  0  2  1  1  0 = 5

DEAD TIME: 2 min
 
END OF REPORT.

To UNSUBSCRIBE from the 'meteorobs' email list, use the Web form at:
http://www.tiacdot net/users/lewkaren/meteorobs/subscribe.html