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

(meteorobs) May 27, 2003 Meteor Observations From California

I had a nice observing session of three hours this morning. The sky was nice
and dark as the fog blanketed much of the city lights. Activity was
impressive for a late May morning. I was facing due south to scrutinize the
antihelion radiant and the little known Omega Scorpids. I was rewarded with
four distinct members of the antihelions and three possible Omega Scorpids.
These Omega Scorpids were very slow, easily differentiated from the
antihelions. The brightest member, at first magnitude, was a pleasing orange
color. Another possible OSC, at second magnitude, appeared distinctly blue.
Their slow velocity sure helps me distinguish colors in these meteors!

The Eta Aquarid was the next to the last meteor seen. My first thought was
that it belonged to the Northern Apex, but the plot lined up better with the
Eta Aquarid radiant, now situated in Pisces. It had the typical blue,
streaky appearance, with a one second train.

Mars was impressive, lying in eastern Capricornus. I kept finding myself
drifting off toward the bright ember, like a moth drawn to a flame. Luckily
I managed  to see a couple of meteors while admiring Mars. I would have
viewed it telescopically but it was still cloudy when I arrived home.

It was nice to get out again and hopefully I'll be able to get out a couple
more times this week.

May 27, 2003

0825-0929 UT   1.00   6.99   2 ANT   2 OSC   4 SPO    8   TOTAL

0929-1033 UT   1.00   7.02   1 ANT   1 OSC   8 SPO   10  TOTAL

1033-1136 UT   1.00   6.91   1 ANT   1 ETA    4 SPO    6 TOTAL

TOTALS:           3.00   6.97   4 ANT   1 ETA    3 OSC   16 SPO   24 TOTAL

The first column gives the period watched stated in Universal Time (UT)
which is PDT + 7 hours. The second column gives the percent of that
particular hour actually spent observing the sky. The third column gives the
average limiting magnitude estimated during each period. The last several
columns list the activity seen during each period. I was facing south at an
altitude of 50 degrees during the entire session. No breaks were taken. ANT
= Antihelions (Sagittarids), OSC Omega Scorpiids and SPO = Sporadics (random
activity).

Location: Deerhorn Valley 116 45' 21" W 32 41' 21" N ELE = 667 m

Bortle Scale Estimate: Class 2, Typical Truly Dark Site

Beginning Temperature/Relative Humidity: 52 F (11 C) 56%
Ending         "         "        "                        52 F (11 C) 56%

MAGNITUDES:

ANT: 0 (0) +1 (0) +2 (1) +3 (2) +4 (1) +5 (0) +6 (0)          AVE: +3.00
ETA:  0 (1) +1 (0) +2 (0) +3 (0) +4 (0) +5 (0) +6 (0)          AVE: +0.00
OSC: 0 (0) +1 (1) +2 (1) +3 (0) +4 (0) +5 (1) +6 (0)          AVE: +2.67
SPO:  0 (0) +1 (1) +2 (4) +3 (3) +4 (7) +5 (1) +6 (0)          AVE: +3.19

Bob Lunsford
San Diego, CA USA

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