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Re: (meteorobs) Advice for meteor observers at altitude (3000m and above)

Marco wrote:
                >>> Also, as you were standing upright you could indeed count a
+7.0, but as soon as we laid down horizontally we
just didn't get that far and the sky background seemed to be a bit brighter.

        Is it possible to also get this effect at low to sea level elevations?
I seem to have had the same thing happen to me at my "low" elevation of 320 ft.
While standing I see (or seem to see) a much more starry sky than my horizontal
LM counts suggest!!
But I've never done LM estimates while standing so  I just don't
know.............

Kim Y.

Marco Langbroek wrote:

> During the 1998 Leonids we observed from 3200-3300 meters altitude, in
> China. I am now, with hindsight, beginning to think that this did influence
> our visual performance. There were some peculiar effects: a very dark sky,
> but Limiting magnitudes that did not got over a mere +6.6 while I would have
> expected more in such a good situation. Also, as you were standing upright
> you could indeed count a +7.0, but as soon as we laid down horizontally we
> just didn't get that far and the sky background seemed to be a bit brighter.
> I think low oxygen was responsible for these odd effects. Yet, it could have
> been worse. We took the time to acclimatize - one day at 2600 meters, then
> several days at 3200 meters before starting the observations. I would like
> to add that this actually is a healthy thing to do if you do go observing at
> altitude, while the opposite (not taking the time to acclimatize to the
> altitude) is not. Although serious (=dangerous) altitude sickness problems
> usualy start  above 3500 meters, some people are affected earlier. I think
> it is definitely not a good idea for your observations and health to go up
> to over 3000 meters altitude for an observational session, without
> acclimatizing at least one day at altitude. Also note that such altitudes
> get on you physically, even small exercise makes your heart go bump and gets
> you out of breath - so you have to slow down your tempo and try to avoid
> heavy activity. One team-member of us did not, and he got quite ill
> (headaches etc.).
>
> In the end, I hesitate to go to such altitudes for observations a second
> time.
>
> - Marco
>
> ---
> Marco Langbroek                    private: marco.langbroek@wanadoodot nl
> Leiden University                     work: m.langbroek@arch.leidenunivdot nl
> Faculty of Archaeology
> P.O. Box 9515
> http://home.wanadoodot nl/marco.langbroek/
> NL-2300 RA Leiden
> The Netherlands
>
> "What seest thou else
>   In the dark backward and abysm of time?"
>
> William Shakespeare: The Tempest act I scene 2
> ---
>
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