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(meteorobs) Meteor observation - Eta Aquarids Watch - 28/29 April 2001
The ASV Meteor Section and the ASF Meteor Group met
last night at our Cannibal Hill observing site, Garfield North, Victoria, for a
4 hour meteor observing session including a few hours of Eta Aquarid
observing.
Observers Present: Adam Marsh, Roger Vodicka, Lance Kelly
and Martin Rudd.
Session Times: 0005 to
0440.
Highlights:
Two Fireballs, one
-3 and one -4. and
6
Eta Aquarids
We all met at the car park that leads to the observing
site at about 23.15 hours and headed off on our climb to our observing area, a
rock outcropping at the top of Cannibal Hill, elevation 350 meters, which
faces north to east, the perfect setting for the Eta Aquarids.
The climb to the top took about 20 minutes, up a well
worn track. After set-up we began our first hours observing at 0005
hours. Around 15 meteors were seen in the first hour, including some good
activity from the Librids Radiant.
The second hour went from 0110 to 0210 with higher
meteor rates, around 20 per hour were seen. The highlight was at the start
of that hour at 0112 with a great -3 yellow fireball seen heading down to the
south east.
The third hour from 0225 to 0325 had similar rates,
also with a surprise. At 0311 a -4/-5 yellow/green fireball was
seen by all observers, bringing a few cheers to the hillside, seen heading
down to the eastern horizon.
The Eta Aquarid activity started up in the 4th
hour with 6 seen between 0325 and 0425. Sporadic rates were also
high with total rates for the hour at around 25. The night ended
at 0440 after seeing a few more Eta's.
Due to the current aurora warning we also had our eye on any possible
aurora, however none were visible to us.
Overall, a cold but great nights observing. The Eta Aquarids are
certainly active, and will become more so, as the days count down towards their
maximum, the mornings of the 5th and 6th of May.
Adam Marsh
Director - ASV Meteor Section
Adam Marsh (MARAD)
armarsh@jeack.com.au
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Director - ASV Meteor Section (ASVMS).
Coordinator - Eastern Australian Meteor Network (EAMN).
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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