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(meteorobs) Chicago IL USA [Leonids], 18/19 Nov 2001 09:15-11:30 UT
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Clear skies,
Lew Gramer <owner-meteorobs@atmob.org>
------- Forwarded Message
From: Mark <varlet@earthlinkdot net>
To: <meteorobs@atmob.org>
Subject: Chicago, IL Observations 09:15-11:30 UTC (3:15-5:30 CST)
Date: Sun, 18 Nov 2001 18:19:51 -0600
Observing meteors from inside the city of Chicago is usually "an exercise in
futility", and Sunday morning promised to be another disappointment, as we had
fog throughout the city and 40-60% thin cloud cover as the predicted peak time
of 10:00 UTC (4AM CST) approached. However, the fog wasn't very thick, and a
quick check of the Weather Channel Infrared satellite image showed breaks in
the rather thin cloudcover, so I said "what the hell" and rode my bicycle down
to North Ave. beach (on Lake Michigan, just a half-mile north of the
"Magnificent Mile" and the Hancock Tower) where I had witnessed the
spectacular auroral display of Nov. 5-6 2001.
There were quite a few people out observing at this site, maybe 20 people
with more arriving later.
The fog was thin, I could make out around 10 of the major stars that make
up Leo... further to the north, the Big Dipper's 7 brightest stars were visible,
but not much else.
Right away I saw the Leonids, mostly the brightest ones blazing away, some
were blue-green in color. They seemed to cluster in groups of two or three at
a time. As the thinnish cloud cover passed overhead, you could still see the
brightest meteors shining through.
Meteors were visible throughout the sky, from right around Leo (where I saw
most of them) all the way down to the horizon, and all along the horizon from
North to South.
I have never been able to see more than 4-10 meteors during any shower since
I've been observing from Chicago (since 1994) but last night I was able to see
a total of 89 meteors in 2 hours and 15 minutes!!! Many people were dis-
appointed in the display, but for me, seeing 89 meteors from this highly
light-polluted site is absolutely phenomenal. I am certain that if we had
clear skies, it would have been possible to see twice as many, and that is
obviously a serious meteor storm for these parts!
Summary: I saw 85 meteors from 3:15AM CST to 5:00AM CST, when the cloud cover
became so dense that no stars were visible at all, but I still saw 4 more near
to the eastern horizon. The peak was supposed to begin around 4AM CST, and it
appeared to me that the prediction was VERY accurate.
All things considered, I am very happy to report I saw the most meteors I've
ever seen in my life despite rather poor seeing conditions; the moral of the
story being that no matter where you live, it is possible to find a relatively
dark site where you can observe celestial phenomena. In the last two weeks I
have observed a spectacular auroral display and an equally spectacular meteor
shower from a location where most people would say it is "impossible" to
observe anything. I say, if you don't look, you won't see anything, of
course, but if you just GET OUT THERE AND OBSERVE you'll be amazed at what
you'll see!
Mark from Chicago, IL
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