[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
(meteorobs) Re: Questions Concerning the Degrees of Meteor Paths
Mark,
You ask the questions that any truly serious "newbie" should be
asking, IMHO, you sound serious and that's a good thing!
> If I remember right, on the NAMN web site for the benefit of new
observers, they mention that a fist held out at arms' length equals
approximately ten
> degrees. With that said, are they referring to a fist with the thumb
hidden or with the thumb visible?
The fist sans fingers should be 10 degrees, then for twenty degrees
extend both the thumb and "pinky" finger (or simply open your entire hand,
measuring from tip of thumb to tip of pinky).
If (as I think you're interested in doing) you plan on measuring
angular velocity, something I avoid, then you really should consider getting
a star map out and measuring various points, then going out and custom
making a short length of "sky ruler." You'll be a bit more precise...I
believe Bob Lunsford. uses a 5-degree small metal bar. I have a cord tied
to my tape recorder with 5-degree knotted intervals, with four knots, but
they aren't terribly precise. I believe that suggestion came from George
Zay.
Kim Youmans
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Fox" <unclefireballmtf@yahoo.com>
To: <meteorobs@atmob.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2002 9:11 PM
Subject: (meteorobs) Questions Concerning the Degrees of Meteor Paths
> November 9, 2002
>
> Greetings Meteor Enthusiasts!
>
> Thank you Mr. Lew Gramer for the recent commentary on
> my meteor direction questions! Yes, I did thank both
> Mr. Lunsford and Mr. Ed Majden for their valuable
> answers and input about the topic, in my latest meteor
> report,... and I thank them again!
>
> I have been doing some more meteor hunting lately and
> am hoping to have all of the observations posted to
> meteorobs sometime in the near future, IF all goes
> along accordingly.
>
> Naturally, since I have been out and about under some
> clear, starry nights recently, some more questions
> have come up. Questions that I hope will help other
> observers besides myself.
>
> If I remember right, on the NAMN web site for the
> benefit of new observers, they mention that a fist
> held out at arms' length equals approximately ten
> degrees. With that said, are they referring to a fist
> with the thumb hidden or with the thumb visible?
>
> Many meteor researchers and expert observers alike
> value the listing of path lengths in meteor reports.
> While this bit of information is not exceptionally
> necessary, it is also a bit difficult to record at
> times, especially when one does not have the idea of
> degrees firmly rooted with examples. I and apparently
> other meteor hunters use some of the constellations as
> aids in tackling this problem. From the little
> information that I have been able to get a hold of, it
> has been stated (and probably often) that the distance
> between the two stars, Caster and Pollux (in Gemini)
> is about five degrees. This is the same for the two
> outer bowl stars in the Big Dipper (Merak & Dubhe) as
> well as for the two brightest stars in Canis Minor.
> Also, about thirty degrees away from the outer
> bowl stars of the Big Dipper (which also make good
> pointers) is Polaris, the North Star.
>
> Does anybody know of more such examples of degrees in
> the night sky to compare with meteor path lengths?
> Is someone aware of a perhaps better way to record
> such data?
>
> Thank you all for your time in reading all of this.
>
> Long and slow Taurids!
>
> Mark Fox
> Newaygo, MI USA
> Coordinates: 43 deg. 27' N, 85 deg. 49' W
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive greatest hits videos
> http://launch.yahoo.com/u2
> 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
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: