[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Re: (meteorobs) Jeff and Geoff
How terrific for you, Tod, and how beautifully put.
Thanks for sharing with the list. Jinny and I really enjoyed your report.
Dale Botwin Miami FL
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tod Landess" <tlandess@miamidot edu>
To: "Lew Gramer" <dedalus@latrade.com>
Cc: <biscayne@shadowdot net>
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 3:29 PM
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Jeff and Geoff
> Hi Lew,
>
> Interesting you should ask about Long Key. I have actually never camped or
> observed from there, I'm new to meteor observation and I'm an infrequent
> casual observer.
>
> I joined the list in July. You
> may recall, I am the one who saw a bright meteor 'fireball' on the
sailboat
> going to Bimini on July 6.
>
> Well, I've been quietly reading the information on the list. In August I
> had noticed that you were reporting on Perseids from Long Key. I had
> actually wanted to get down there myself and observe and perhaps even meet
> you but was unable to.
>
> However, Long Key seemed like a good place to view the Leonids, weather
> permiting, so I made a reservation in September.
>
> I've been meaning to write up my non-scientific report, so here it is.
I've
> noticed the high volume of posts and have not been able to plow through
all
> of them yet, but saw yours and appreciated the personal inquiry from a
> (former?) South Floridian.
>
> I think that by being on the list, even as a non-scientific observer, I
> caught Leonids fever. This Leonids fever may have even become more
> obsession than fever, intensified by the disappointment of missing the
> Perseids and the mystery of the "Earth Grazer" , "Fireball" I witnessed in
> July. I put these definitions in parentheses becuase I am still not sure
> what it was that I saw.
>
> Anyhow, the weather in Florida had been cloudy and we had also had some
> early morning fog the past few days. The computer models for cloud cover
> had the Keys in the 60%-80% cloud cover range, while the Florida Panhandle
> was looking cloud free. I decided not to gamble with the Keys and went to
> St. Andrews State Park on Panama City Beach.
>
> There was some glow from development to the north and east but the
southern
> and western portions of sky were very dark. I could see the Milky Way and
> although
> it was not as dark as the Keys, it was better than anywhere around Miami.
> I observed from the beach with an unobstructed view to the horizon in all
> directions.
>
> The show was amazing with meteors in all areas of the sky. I focused
mostly
> on the
> southern and western areas of sky avoiding areas with glow. However, I
was
> suprised
> that every time I turned around there were bright meteors falling behind
me
> . Or I would see the flash and shadows cast by meteors that fell behind
> me.
> There was so much activity and the sky is so larg
Follow-Ups: