From: gliba@scivax.stsci.edu
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: Perseid Observations
Date: 22 Jul 92 20:36:26 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute

From: pbrown@uwovax.uwo.ca
Subject: Perseid Observations
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1992 19:44:48 GMT

>               Perseid Observations.

>     With the month of August almost here many amateur
>astronomers will be looking forward to the summer's most
>spectacular meteor shower - the Perseids.
>     Peaking on Aug 11/12 this year the unusual activity
>witnessed by observers in Eastern Asia last year with hourly
>rates topping 350/hr might well be repeated. So, if you are
>planning to observe why not take note of some of the data listed
>below while you observe to make your observations valuable to
>those studying the structure of the stream.
>     First, please remember to record your observing location to
>an accuracy of one degree or more. Secondly, DO NOT lump data
>from several observers into one report - always report each
>person's data separately. You may simply note which meteors are
>Perseids (those that appear to radiate from the area between
>Cassiopeia and the top of Perseus) and those that are not during
>an interval of at least one hour in length. If meteor rates are
>very high then intervals of 15 minutes may be adopted (rates
>greater than 2-300/hr). You do not have to note the time of
>appearance for every meteor, simply the time you began to watch
>for meteors and a time marker every hour or longer and then note
>all the meteors seen between these time markers. 
>     For your observation to be of use an estimate of the
>Limiting Magnitude - that is the faintest star visible to your
>eye in your field of view must also be made at least once per
>hour. Each observer should record his or her own LM - LM's vary
>between people depending on perception. Preferably, the LM should
>be estimated several times per hour to an accuracy of 0.1 Mv and
>an average of these readings used as the "best" LM measure. The
>amount your field of view is blocked either by terrestrial
>obstructions or by clouds (in which case a time-weighting should
>be used) should also be noted for every observing interval. Also,
>the effective time you actually spent watching the sky for
>meteors should also be recorded during each interval.
>     Finally, for those with some meteor observing experience, it
>is useful to record the magnitudes of the meteors seen. Magnitude
>distributions should be reported per observer per night for both
>Perseid and non-Perseid meteors.
>     If you are lucky enough to get this data for your observing
>campaign during the Perseids this year, the observations can be
>sent by email to the address below. It is of great interest to
>receive reports via email from observers within 7 days of the
>peak, so reports sent in this way by August 18 will be used for a
>preliminary look at what happened during the 1992 return of the
>Perseids. Later data can be sent via regular mail to the
>addresses below.
>     Also, please remember to send reports of fireballs to the
>Fireball Data Center of the IMO the email address for which is
>given below.

>For quick email reports send to: peter@canlon.physics.uwo.ca
>For later reports for observers
>in North America send to:     Peter Brown
>                              North American Section
>                              International Meteor Organization
>                              Dept. of Physics
>                              University of Western Ontario
>                              London, Ontario
>                              N6A 3K7
>                              Canada
>For reports from outside
>North America send to:        Rainer Arlt
>                              International Meteor Organization
>                              Berlinerstrasse 41,
>                              D-O-1560,
>                              Potsdam,
>                              Germany

>For fireball reports send
>to:                           Andre Knoefel  
>                              Fireball Data Center
>                              International Meteor Organization
>                              Saarbrucker Strasse 8
>                              D-W-4000
>                              Dusseldorf 30,
>                              Germany



  * * * *        * * * *       * * * *       * * * *       * * * *

  Just a reminder to watch for the Perseids for any unusual activity.
If anyone out there wants to observe, but feels they are a novice, or
too inexperianced, then you can send your reports to me instead of the
IMO (I've already talked to Peter Brown about this). Then, if need be,
I'll ask for changes, or any additional data needed to make your report 
more useful. Just remember, that the below things MUST be mentioned for 
your report to have scientific value:


                 DOUBLE DATE (example: AUG 11/12 1992)
                 START TIME  (preferably in Universal Time, specify)
                 STOP TIME   (preferably in hourly intervals, record breaks)
                 LOCATION    (be specific)
                 OBSERVER    (ONLY One per report; don't add what others see)
                 SKY CONDITIONS (MUST include: magn. limit, or any obstructions)
                 METHOD USED (preferably counts using a Tape Recorder, specify)
                 PER or NONPER  (for each meteor seen)
                 METEOR MAGNITUDES   (Optional)
                             

Meteor Observing Tips:

   1) It is best to be rested, a sleepy observer may as well stay in bed
   2) An accurate watch or shortwave radio for WWV or CHU time signals
   3) A chase lounge chair with adjustable back
   4) A sleeping bag or bed roll (pillow optional)
   5) A dim red filtered flashlight 
   6) Insect repellent
   7) A Tape Recorder (check batteries)   
                  

 

    G.W. Gliba - 'I would rather see starlight than streetlights'

                   * * *  gliba@stsci.edu  * * *