[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
(meteorobs) May 5th AM 2003 Eta Aq.s from TORNADO ALLEY KS
The deadly twisters split to both sides of me in S KC Metro Area
yesterday afternoon and evening, with a cold front passage squall line
cleansing the humidity and dust out of the air at dark. With the down to
50 degrees chill there was a heavy dew that I had to
deal with as well.
Atmosphere very steady, and clear down to 10 degrees above horizon
where it was still a bit hazy.
DATE - 2003 May 4/5 0350-0510 AM
2003 May 5th 0950-1110 UT
OBSERVER - Bert G. Matous (MATBE)
SITE - Rutlader, KS Louisburg Middle Creek Lake
+38.5 N 94 37' W
28.5 miles S of where I live in Overland Park KS
Facing FOV - 70 degrees altitude and SE both time segments
Zenithal Star - At :20 min. intervals starting at 350 AM Central Time,
6.25/6.15/6.0/4.8 twilight heavily in progress
Observing method - Notepad recording without looking
Total Time - 1:20
Total Meteors seen - 20 (plus 3 casuals in one min. at 344 AM)
12 Eta Aq.s, 3 Eta Lyrids, 5 Sporadics (3 N.Apex source).
(The casuals were +1 Sporadic, +5 Sporadic, +2 E. Aq. with 1 sec train)
0350-0450AM 8 EAq, 2 ELy, 5 Sporadic (3 N.Apex incl.)
0450-0510AM 4 EAq, 1 ELy, no others
MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTIONS - (N Apex met.s are separate here)
Origin +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 TOTAL
EAq - 1 5 2 3 1 12 (2 trace trains)
ELy - - 3 - - - 3
Npx - 1 2 - - - 3 (a +3 had a 1 sec. train)
Spor - - 1 1 - - 2
REMARKS - 50 degrees NO WIND
After I set up the lawn chair and prepared to start the session
I looked high in NW for Z.S. estimate at 344 AM. Saw three
meteors in less than 45 seconds, incl the final one the best EAq
of the nite a long mag. +2 with a one sec. train in the SW.
The first meteors of the first hr. were Eta Lyrids of med. velocity
within 3 seconds of each other fanning out 90 degrees arc from
radiant, identical +3's. The next two were dim-waked or small
trained Eta Aquarids high in the South at +5 and +6 mag. both
well seen. Sporadic activity was nearly non-existent. Northern
Apex produced the 3 nicer random meteors. The mag. +2 Eta
Aquarid was the last meteor in at around 500AM in the southwest.
Overall a dim effort from the Eta Aquarids, much different that the
late 1970's shows that I remember.
The Eta Lyrids look like they are alive, too.
Should be clear tonite for max. as well. Two -3 flares near the
Aquarid radiant made for interesting moments as I locked onto
them, one at 355am just after starting!
If I remember didn't someone last yr. or yr. before have low rates
until nearly May 8-12??? And better meteors too, IIRC.
Am done with the April Lyrid nites stat.s will have them posted soon.
Bert Matous
Overland Park KS