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

(meteorobs) Jan. 2 Meteor Observations From the Mojave Desert



I observed from a spot in the Mojave desert east of Barstow with David
Holman. The skies were impressively dark. The zodical band could be
clearly seen nearly from horizon to horizon. Later in the morning the
zodical light was impressive as it stretched all the way to Virgo. It
was difficult to pinpoint where the zodical light ended and the zodical
band continued! My LM counts were impressive. I had not seen such faint
stars since observing in Florida last March. Meteor rates were OK and
overly impressive despite the dark conditions. The sporadic rates varied
wildly and I was also surprised by the lack of 5th and 6th magnitude
meteors. The Quads behaved as expected. The Coma Berenicids were more
active than expected while the Delta Cancrids decided not to show up at
all.

January 2, 2001

0900-1000 UT  0.93  7.04   0 C0M   0 DCA   1 QUA  11 SPO   12 TOTAL
1000-1100 UT  0.96  7.05   4 COM   0 DCA   1 QUA   3 SPO    8 TOTAL
1100-1200 UT  0.96  7.05   3 COM   0 DCA   4 QUA   1 SPO    8 TOTAL
1200-1300 UT  0.93  7.02   2 COM   0 DCA   6 QUA   8 SPO   16 TOTAL
1300-1400 UT  0.97  6.43   1 COM   0 DCA   5 QUA   8 SPO   14 TOTAL

TOTALS:       4.75  6.92  10 COM   0 DCA  17 QUA  31 SPO   58 TOTAL

The first column gives the period watched stated in Universal Time (UT)
which is PST + 8 hours. The second column gives the percent of that
particular hour actually spent observing the sky. Time was lost for
plotting and data entry tonight. The third column gives the average
limiting magnitude of my field of view estimated during each period. The
last several columns lists the activity seen during each period. I was
facing northeast at an altitude of 50 degrees during the entire session.
No breaks were taken.

COM = Coma Berenicids (Northern Apex Radiant), DCA = Delta Cancrids
(Antihelion Radiant), QUA = Quadrantids, and SPO = Sporadics
(random activity). 

Beginning Temperature/Relative Humidity:   36 F (2 C)  19%
Ending         "         "         "       33 F (1 C)  15%

MAGNITUDES:  

COM: -2(0) -1(0) 0(1) +1(0) +2(3) +3(5) +4(1) +5(0) +6(0) AVERAGE:+2.50
QUA: -2(0) -1(0) 0(1) +1(0) +2(5) +3(8) +4(2) +5(1) +6(0) AVERAGE:+2.76
SPO: -2(1) -1(1) 0(2) +1(7) +2(5) +3(6) +4(5) +5(4) +6(0) AVERAGE:+2.32

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