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Re: (meteorobs) Constellation Distortions/Meteor Plotting

The atmosphere refracts light about 1/2 degree at the horizon and
increases to that value very near the horizon, no way near the amount you
have suggested.  It is interesting that I had some arguments about this
some fifty years ago where I, like you, felt that the constellations
appeared quite a bit different near the horizon than when they are higher
in the sky even though I knew the correct amount of atmospheric
refraction even at that time.  It is further interesting that that I no
longer see it that way some fifty years later. So I would conclude that
with both of us it is purely some psychological thing like the enlarging
of the moon near the horizon.  Maybe you, like me, will loose it with
age.

Mark Fox wrote:

> December 11, 2001
>
> Greetings Meteor Enthusiasts!
>
> Due to my neophytic experience in meteor astronomy and
> the upcoming Geminids, I have a couple of questions
> that I wonder a fellow enthusiast could help clear up.
>
> 1. It is quite apparent with what I have seen while
> meteor hunting that the two bright stars in Gemini:
> Pollux and Caster, appear to be spread farther apart
> than the listed 5 degrees, when low above the horizon.
> At that height they appear more like 7 or 8-deg apart.
> Once the constellation has risen a good distance from
> the horizon and towards the zenith, however, the stars
> become more or less what a rough 5 degrees should look
> like.  With that said, about how large of distortion
> occurs with the constellations low in the sky and/or
> is there supposed to be any?
>
> 2.  I still have lost my star books sadly, and am
> looking for any advice on where to get some star
> charts or maps with meteor plotting in mind, and any
> tips for properly recording the plots on the paper.
>
>
> I have some more meteor observations being compiled.
> Hope to have them posted sometime when time permits.
> However, as so not to confuse or possibly complicate
> anything, I will probably record them on my own
> customized form for now.
>
> My e-mail is unclefireballmtf@yahoo.com.
>
> Long trains and merry Geminids!
>
> Mark Fox
> Newaygo, MI USA
> (43 deg. 27', 85 deg. 49')
>
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The archive and Web site for our list is at http://www.meteorobs.org
If you are interested in complete links on the 2001 LEONIDS, see:
http://www.meteorobs.org/storms.html
To stop getting email from the 'meteorobs' list, use the Web form at:
http://www.meteorobs.org/subscribe.html
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