[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

(meteorobs) Re: Strange Quadrantid Night, Report Hopefully To Come

Mark and All,

During the evening hours all the meteors seen will be particles that are
catching up to the earth. Therefore at this time of night all the
meteors seen will appear to move slowly. As the night progresses the
meteors will become increasingly swift. At dawn a majority of the
activity seen will be swift. 

This is the reason very few persistent trains are seen during the
evening hours. On the other hand the evening hours are a good time to
see fragmenting meteors.

I hope this helps!

Bob Lunsford



Mark Fox wrote:
> 
> January, 4, 2002
> 
> Greetings Meteor Enthusiasts!
> 
> I decided to post a message to the list ahead of my
> meteor report, like I've seen other more experienced
> observers do. In this way I can let you all know that
> I had a clear evening for Quadrantid hunting!
> Amazing!  It's rare to have such a clear night during
> such potential meteor activity around here even though
> the LM was only 5.2 or less!  It was cold, to be sure,
> with the temperature probably hovering around 22 F
> during my whole evening session.  I began at perhaps
> 7:40 or so and ended at 8:58 P.M. EST.
> 
> Most meteors seen were on the slow, faint side for
> some reason, and yes, I managed to spy at least one
> earth grazing Quadrantid, low in the sky!  I also
> noticed suspicious activity coming from Auriga, I
> believe.   Sadly, all meteor activity fizzled out at
> the end of my session.
> 
> Very strangely, two things happened that made the
> night extremely interesting.  The first and the more
> noteworthy dealt with a bright (0-1mag.), reddish,
> starlike object that was sighted underneath the Big
> Dipper, very low in the sky.  I know it wasn't just a
> plane, satellite, or the like, as it remained
> stationary and steady in brightness.  Also, I did not
> notice it later in my session, although I do not know
> if it just disappeared or became covered by thick
> haze. Can anybody ferret out an explanation for this
> event?
> 
> The second dealt with a very slow orange meteor that
> looked as if it may have broken away from its original
> path and started a new one, forming possibly a type of
> "V" shape before extinguishing.  It could have been a
> Quadrantid.  I may send the details about at least one
> of the events in a separate post.
> 
> I hope to have a report on the way, but can't promise
> it soon, like most things.  However, I may try using a
> NAMN reporting form this time if I finally can get
> everything worked out right, including ALIGNING
> everything correctly!
> 
> Merry Meteor Hunting!
> 
> Mark Fox
> Newaygo, MI USA
> My coordinates: 43 deg. 27',  85 deg. 49'
> 
> 
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Send your FREE holiday greetings online!
> http://greetings.yahoo.com
> The archive and Web site for our list is at http://www.meteorobs.org
The archive and Web site for our list is at http://www.meteorobs.org
To stop getting all email from the 'meteorobs' lists, use our Webform:
http://www.meteorobs.org/subscribe.html
References: