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(meteorobs) Re: Unusual QUA activity before the predicted peak?
In reference to pre-peak hourly Quad rates of 6, 8, and 15, Lew said,
>These are extraordinary numbers of Quadrantids, for observations many hours
>before the predicted peak, aren't they?
The first two are about what I would expect for the conditions. Several
times I have seen Quad rates in the mid-20's in dark skies up to half a day
away from the peak either way, and that is from South Florida.
Bert is getting greedy to pair his impression with the rate below :
>Was NOT impressed by Quadrantid rates, at this time I suspect activity
>just might indeed be late this year, only one clustering of Quads.
>0520-0620 CST - 15 Q, 1 ANT, 1 Spor zs 4.8
That is EXCELLENT for the conditions and timing. The peak should be coming
over the Pacific in 2002. We shot our wad last year with a late peak, so I
didn't get to see a good show as hoped for. In 1997 I finally saw a peak
here, 61 Quads/hour for 1.5 hours with a waning crescent moon interfering
some. Onward to 2005 for my next chance in this world quadrant. Every
fourth year for a given time zone is the general outlook.
>But I have always labored under the impression that outside of a few hours
>of true "peak" time, the QUAs are a really *minor* shower of 1-3 per hour!
>
>Clear skies,
>Lew
We can scratch that. Lew and I didn't get a Quad night with decent
conditions together in the early days.
Quadrantids are beautiful, somewhat leisurely, medium-speed meteors. If you
can get the peak, it is quite a novelty to see so many meteors at that time
of year. No luck for me in 2002 -- I wanted to use the backyard for an hour
but was clouded out.
Norman
Norman W. McLeod III
Staff Advisor
American Meteor Society
Fort Myers, Florida
nmcleod@peganet.com
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