Shower members of magnitude -3 or brighter should be plotted for possible height and orbit determination, in case another observer elsewhere also saw them. The major function of plotting is to find minor radiants. All meteors well seen that do not belong to major showers should be plotted. This is a good program to carry on any time, even during major showers. The directions east to south are usually best as radiants concentrate around the ecliptic in the latter half of the night.
Northern observers can extend coverage northward by facing northeast.
North to west are the least productive directions. The actual plotting effort involves getting the meteor's path onto a chart as accurately as possible. In drawing the path a ruler must always be used. It can also be held up ogainst the sky to establish the path location. It is suggested that both eyes be kept open for this operation, for the ruler can still be seen against the light sky yet not occulting stars.