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Re: (meteorobs) Geminds/Earthgrazer Question
In a message dated 12/5/01 11:44:15 AM Eastern Standard Time,
tlandess@miamidot edu writes:
<< Was this a phenomenon that was unique to the Leonids or is it common to
all showers? Is is possible that we might see horizon to horizon
earthgrazers during the Geminds and if so, when is the best time to observe
for this from the South Eastern US? >>
Tod --
Any meteor shower is capable of producing an earthgrazer/earthskimmer.
The only prerequisite is that the radiant needs to be very close to . . . or
perhaps just below your local horizon. The Geminids -- a very reliable
display, rich in slow, bright meteors -- could very well produce such
activity perhaps as early as 6 or 7 p.m. local time, as the star Castor
(which is close to the radiant) begins to climb above the east-northeast
horizon.
I have also seen earthgrazers/skimmers with the August Perseids as early
as 9:30 in the evening (even though the Perseid radiant is not very high up
in the northeast until after midnight).
It is interesting to note that next year, the 1767 dust trail of
55P/Tempel-Tuttle -- the same trail that performed so splendidly over North
America with its profusion of bright meteors -- will be peaking near 11:p.m.
EST on November 18. That suggests that there could be a outburst of
earthgrazing activity for parts of the eastern US (the Leonid radiant will be
rising about that time). A brilliant almost-full Moon will, unfortunately,
be near the meridian and nearly overhead, however.
-- joe rao
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