"IMO-News" mailing list archive (1997) ========================================= Date: Wed, 1 Jan 1997 13:36:27 -0500 (EST) From: ixlr8@bikerider.com Subject: Knockout 1997! Wish all the best to all, Have a great New Year and let's hope 1997 brings health, happiness, clear skies and prosperity to us all. Regards coming towards u almost at the speed of light; Ferdy. Date: Fri, 3 Jan 97 12:47:03 +0100 From: Juergen Rendtel Subject: Quadrantids 1997 Hi folks, Here is a first summary of my visual Quadrantid observation of 1997 January 02/03. Observer: Juergen Rendtel Location: west of Potsdam, Germany (13.0 deg E, 52.4 deg N) Period UT T_eff LM QUA h_R ZHR DCA COM SPO 2311-0010 0.71h 6.03 5 23 25 1 0 4 0030-0121 0.80 5.95 6 31 21 2 0 4 0136-0220 0.70 6.10 11 39 33 0 1 2 0248-0320 0.50 5.90 12 48 50 0 2 2 0325-0421 0.90 5.90 27 55 57 0 1 7 0445-0515 0.48 6.08 21 65 66 1 1 4 0515-0545 0.48 5.98 22 69 72 1 1 4 h_R gives the radiant elevation at the middle of the interval. The ZHR is calculated with r=2.1 and gamma=1.0 (no further correction). Conditions were rather poor with cirrus clouds drifting through. Sometimes the cirrus was thick enough to dim the light of the moon. Conditions improved towards the morning. Juergen Rendtel Date: Sat, 4 Jan 1997 03:12:45 +0100 (MET) From: Nikola Biliskov Subject: happy new year Hello everybody! We already sitting in the Visnjan Observatory and waiting for the clear skies. Tonight is the QUA maximum, but we havejolly bad weather - the sky is covered by clouds and the situation is pretty hopeless. Hence, we wish you happy new year and many successful observations in 1997. Warm regards, PPPS DOK Nikola Biliskov Slaven Garaj Silvija Gradecak Neven Grbac Goran Zgrablic Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 16:42:38 +0100 From: Daniel Fischer Subject: Quadrantid observations under unusual circumstances The 1997 Quadrantids must have been pretty good from the U.S. - or so I conclude from a soundbite I saw on the CBS Evening News the next day (via Sky News here in Europe). It was an interview with a woman who had spent the whole night on the roof of her car when it was caught by the flooding (I forgot in which state she was). When she described her ordeal, she explicitly mentioned the many shooting stars she saw! Unfortunately no ZHR was mentioned in the report... Daniel Fischer, Skyweek & The Cosmic Mirror, http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/5599/mirror.html Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 11:01:21 +0100 (MET) From: Sirko Molau Subject: Digital Measurement and Analysis of All-Sky Meteor Photographies Hello friends, if you understand German and if you have a *fast* connection to the Internet, the following link might be of interest to you: http://archiv.tu-chemnitz.de/pub/1997/0001/ It contains a postscript file (10 MByte!) of my graduate work entitled "Digitale Vermessung und Auswertung von All-Sky-Meteorfotografien" The file is formated to be printed double-sided. Regards, Sirko Molau ************************************************************************** * Sirko Molau * __ * * Str.246 Nr.16 * " 2B v 2B " * * D-13086 Berlin * * * smo@informatik.tu-chemnitz.de * Shakespeare * * http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/~smo * * ************************************************************************** Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 19:59:59 +0100 (MET) From: Sirko Molau Subject: Video Meteor Observation Hello friends, in the next WGN issue you will find the following paper: S. Molau, M. Nitschke, M. de Lignie, R.L. Hawkes and J. Rendtel: "Video Observations of Meteors: History, Current Status and Future Prospects" If you do not want to wait until the issue is in your mailbox, you can read it now at http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/~smo/meteore/status.html Best wishes, Sirko ************************************************************************** * Sirko Molau * __ * * Str.246 Nr.16 * " 2B v 2B " * * D-13086 Berlin * * * smo@informatik.tu-chemnitz.de * Shakespeare * * http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/~smo * * ************************************************************************** Date: 15 Jan 97 16:42:55 EST From: Rainer Arlt <100114.1361@CompuServe.COM> Subject: IMO Shower Circular -- Quadrantids 97 ------------------------------------- I M O S h o w e r C i r c u l a r ------------------------------------- Quadrantids 1997 Very few observations of the 1997 Quadrantids have arrived until now. Particularly, the weather in North America was preventing many observers from watching the maximum of this shower, which was expected for about 11h UT on January 03. The only observer who covered that period was Norman McLeod. He reported increasing ZHRs exceeding 100 until the end of his observing session. Mark Davis was the second lucky observer in the US with a ZHR well over 100 too. European observers saw the ZHRs increasing from 20 in the evening of January 2, 22h UT, to ZHR=60 on January 3, 4h UT. The following (European) night saw a ZHR=50 in the evening and ZHR=20 around 1h UT on January 4. These very raw data are based on the observations of Rainer Arlt (Germany), Felix Bettonvil (the Netherlands), Detlef Koschny (Germany), Ralf Koschack (Germany), Ake Lysell (Sweden), Jurgen Rendtel (Germany), Marko Toivonen (Finland), Manuela Trenn (Germany), Ilkka Yrjola (Finland). I hope more observations will permit giving a ZHR graph soon. Rainer Arlt, 1997 Jan 15. Date: Sat, 18 Jan 1997 16:12:51 +0100 (MET) From: Vladimir Lukic 180/93 Subject: What's up in YU? Hi, everybody! You must have heard about the events going on in Yugoslavia during last two months. I guess that you are pretty concerned because of this year's IMC. Well, so were we, at the very beginning of the protest, as we didn't know wether we'll be able to make it in a peacefull way till the end. Pictures of the force used in the streets would have been very discouraging for anyone thinking about comming to Yugoslavia... Luckily, after first week the protest turned to be rather carneval than anything else. I hope that you got same impression. Nevertheless, we decided to stay silent about IMC till the end of the protest. Protest is not over yet, but we're definitely approaching it's end. During last few days we are more in the Universuty buildings than in the streets, and the government gradualy satisfies our demands. Very soon, we will turn to our usual activities. And for this year our usual activity is organization of IMC. These days we will (finally) send the first circular that we promised in last issue of WGN, and we hope that there will be no further obstacles in organizing the IMC. In the way, the protest came out to be usefull in some aspects for us, as we learned a lot about organizing the various events (there was a plenty of them at the University after our 'walks') during last two months :) . Besides that we made some observations, not too succesfull, due to the weather. For Leonids and Geminids we have had only one clear night (per shower ;) ), while for Quadrantids expedition the weather was cloudy all the time. Our Quadrantid expedition was organized at Adriatic coast, temperature was up to 15C (ABOVE zero!), and few of us spent New Years Eve at the beach, clothed only in sweaters!!! It would have been TOO good, if skies were clear. That's all, so far... If you have any comments on the IMC issue, send me a message. I am VERY VERY LIKELY to see your attitude about ... everything! Greetings from Belgrade! Vladimir Date: Tue, 21 Jan 97 15:48:17 GMT From: poerinku@worldaccess.nl Subject: Geminids 1996 (3) For the third and last time: GEMINIDS, DECEMBER 13/14, 1996 Halley Observatory, Heesch - The Netherlands Observations of 4 members of the Landelijke Werkgroep Meteoren der NVWS (Meteor Section of the Netherlands Association for Meteorology and Astronomy) They observed from 22.00 UT - 05.00 UT (December 13/14). Distribution of magnitudes Roy Keeris (KEERO) Joost Hartman (HARJO) Felix Bettonvil (BETFE) Anne van Weerden (WEEAN) Ntot. = 666 meteors MAG +3 +2 +4 +1 0 +5 -1 -2 +6 -3 -4 -5 -6 N= 142 135 115 89 69 51 30 20 7 5 3 0 0 % 21 20 17 13 10 7.7 4.5 3 1.1 0.8 0.5 0 0 Combined ZHR GEMINIDS 1996 KEERO HARJO WEEAN BETFE 22-23 236.3 + 152.1 + 74.3 + 154.0 616.7/4 = 154 23-00 112.4 + 82.4 + 64.5 + 90.1 349.4/4 = 87 00-01 173.9 + 136.7 + 116.0 + 165.4 592 /4 = 148 01-02 99.9 + 91.2 + 107.4 298.5/3 = 100 02-03 126.1 + 61.3 + 101.8 289.2/3 = 96 03-04 130.4 130 04-05 114.5 + 103.5 218 /2 = 109 Anne van Weerden Oude Hofstad 12 5211 RG 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH THE NETHERLANDS Date: Fri, 31 Jan 1997 17:13:54 +0100 (MET) From: Sirko Molau Subject: announcement Dear friends, in the last few weeks the WWW site of the International Meteor Organization (IMO) has undergone important changes. We hope that this will improve our service and ensure the future availability of meteor information from IMO in the Web. We moved the pages to another server and introduced new features. The new URL of IMO's homepage is http://www.imo.net/ Please, update the address in your bookmark file and change the corresponding link at your web site, if neccessary. The old address at the University of Chemnitz will be valid for a limited time only. The pages there are not updated anymore. The directory structure of IMO's pages remains the same. The following services are new: * You can access public domain software and the mailing list archive via anonymous ftp at ftp.imo.net * New mail addresses can be used to contact council members and commissioners of imo: president@imo.net - IMO's president secretary@imo.net - the secretary general visual@imo.net - the head of the visual commission photo@imo.net - the head of the photographic commission tele@imo.net - the head of the telescopic commission fidac@imo.net - FIDAC, the Fireball Data Center video@imo.net - the author of the video pages radio@imo.net - the author of the radio pages wgn@imo.net - the editor of WGN webmaster@imo.net - the webmaster of IMO's WWW pages hostmaster@imo.net - the hostmaster of IMO's web site The IMO-News mailing list also moved to the new server. Please, send your information for subscription und unsubscription now to imo-news-request@imo.net. Contributions to the mailing list are to be sent to imo-news@imo.net. The old addresses will not be served anymore. If you encounter any problems at the new site, please, contact the webmaster (webmaster@imo.net). Last but not least I would like to thank Werner Depoorter, who did most of the transfer and installation work and who will serve as our hostmaster. Thanks also to Marc Gyssens, who made his machine available for our pages. Sirko Molau (IMO-Webmaster) PS: You should receive this message two (or three) times: One time via the old mailing list, and another time from the new list at imo.net. If you get for some reason only one, please report that to imo-news-request@imo.net. ************************************************************************** * Sirko Molau * __ * * Str.246 Nr.16 * " 2B v 2B " * * D-13086 Berlin * * * smo@informatik.tu-chemnitz.de * Shakespeare * * http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/~smo * * ************************************************************************** Date: Fri, 7 Mar 1997 11:33:28 +0100 (MET) From: Sirko Molau Subject: Near-Earth Object Grant Program THE PLANETARY SOCIETY Guidelines for the Near-Earth Object Grant Program OBJECTIVES The Planetary Society Near-Earth Object (NEO) Grant Program seeks to encourage the discovery and exploration of NEOs by supporting observation projects and related research around the world. The Society intends these grants to accelerate the NEO discovery rate, to improve and increase observations, and to encourage international cooperation in this field. CATEGORIES The Planetary Society invites applications in one or more of the following categories: 1. NEO Observational Programs. Projects in this category could include discovery programs and those projects that might increase the rate of discovery. For example, an observation program by an amateur or at a small observatory could provide follow-up to discoveries, and thereby free observers at larger telescopes for more discovery work. Such a program would qualify for a Planetary Society grant. 2. NEO Research Programs. The category will include all those fields relating to understanding NEOs and their roles in the evolution of Earth and the solar system. Spectroscopy measurements and analysis would be an example of a project in this category. 3. International Collaboration in NEO Observations. Projects in this category include those that develop international collaboration through cooperative research, or those that enable amateurs and researchers at smaller observatories to participate in NEO observations and data analysis. SELECTION CRITERIA The selection committee will consider how a project enables discoveries, advances knowledge, and/or enhances international scientific collaboration. Projects will also be judged on their feasibility, creativity, originality, significance and likelihood of completion. The committee will give special consideration to "seed" grants -- where a little help now can generate high leverage for future work. Amateurs and scientists and observers from developing countries will be given special consideration. AMOUNTS OF GRANTS The average grant will be $5,000 to $10,000, although the selection committee will consider a range from $1,000 to $25,000, depending on need and expected results. The amount available is made possible by the donations of Planetary Society members. ELIGIBILITY Anyone anywhere may submit an application for a Planetary Society Near-Earth Object grant. We will accept only one application per individual or group. An application submitted on behalf of a group must clearly indicate the person acting as the group's representative or principal investigator. That person must sign the application form. Should a group project be chosen, the grant will be presented to the group's representative or principal investigator. The Planetary Society will have no obligation to any other member of the group. APPLICATIONS Applications may be submitted at anytime. To be considered, an application must be neatly printed in English by letter, no more than three pages in length. Supporting documentation may be submitted or referenced. Send your application to: NEO Grant Program The Planetary Society 65. North Catalina Avenue Pasadena, CA 91106-2301 USA Applicants should send copies, not originals, of supporting documents, figures or photographs. No applications will be returned. Supporting materials must arrive with the application form unless prior arrangements are made. NOTIFICATION Grant recipients will be notified of their award as soon as a decision is made. No other notification will be sent by The Planetary Society before this date, except for requests by the selection committee for supplementary information. SELECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE The selection advisory committee for the NEO grants will be composed of internationally renowned scientists. The final selection will be made by the Board of Directors of The Planetary Society. The committee's procedures and deliberations will be kept confidential. PUBLICATION OF AWARDS Winners of the Planetary Society NEO grants will be published in The Planetary Report and The NEO News. The Society reserves the right to publish summaries of the most interesting projects in either publication. The Society also encourages professional publications and other popular promotion and articles, so long as proper credit is given for any support. Date: Tue, 11 Mar 1997 03:24:10 GMT From: Peter Jenniskens Friends, I just learned from Donald Yeomans of JPL that comet P/Tempel-Tuttle was discovered today: Today's IAU Circular 6579 announces the recovery of comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle at Mauna Kea and La Silla - very close to its predicted position. The estimated apparent magnitude was 22 - 22.5 Greetings, -Peter .......................................................................... Peter Jenniskens The SETI Institute e-mail: peter@max.arc.nasa.gov NASA Ames Research Center tel: (415) 604-3086 Mail Stop 239-4 fax: (415) 604-1088 Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 http://www-space.arc.nasa.gov/~leonid/ Date: Thu, 1 May 97 13:11:33 +0200 From: Juergen Rendtel Subject: Eta Aquarids ------------------------- IMO call for observations ------------------------- The next considerable meteor shower after the moonlit Lyrids is the Eta Aquarids. It is associated with 1P/Halley, like the Orionids. However, the Earth is not as far from the meteoroid stream's core as in October. Consequently, the maximum ZHR of the Eta Aquarids significantly exceeds that of the Orionids. Most meteor observers live at mid-northern latitudes, and so this shower does not play a role in their plans. At 50 deg N, the radiant rises less than an hour before twilight brightens. So only very few long meteor trails indicate the radiant's existence. For observers south of about 30 deg N, the situation is much better, and the Eta Aquarids are one of the best showers for southern hemisphere observers. This year there is no interference from the moon. The time of the maximum is given as May 5, 22 UT, but the activity profile is wide enough to expect interesting rates also in the adjacent mornings. Some activity lasts until end of May. Reports of observations using various techniques are welcome. Please send your reports to the appropriate IMO responsible: visual@imo.net visual data photo@imo.net photographic data tele@imo.net telescopic observations fidac@imo.net fireball reports Thank you and clear skies. Juergen Rendtel May 1, 1997 president@imo.net Date: Fri, 16 May 97 20:23:12 +0200 From: Juergen Rendtel Subject: Shower circular ------------------------------------- I M O S h o w e r C i r c u l a r ------------------------------------- The 1997 Eta Aquarids ===================== More than 60 observation periods (>52 hrs effective observing time, almost 600 shower meteors) of the eta Aquarids in the period between May 04 and May 08 are available only one week after the shower maximum. This is a well observed return of this southern meteor shower, particularly seen the situation that only the last 1.5-2.5 hours can be used for respective observations. Nevertheless, the radiant remained low in the sky for most observers - except those in the southern hemisphere. The short duration of the observing window for each location also leads to the situation that there is no overlap between the observing periods from different sites. Hence we have neither a continuous activity information, nor we can do any calibration for personal effects (perception). Sporadic rates may serve as a reference to a certain extent. The following table of zenithal hourly rates (ZHR) gives an overview of the activity between May 04 and May 08. The ZHRs were calculated with a population index of r=2.7, the perception of all observers was assumed to be equal 1.0. No zenithal exponent was applied to the correction of the radiant elevation. The individual values scatter considerably which is expressed in large error margins (being the standard deviation of the average). In fact, the averages are always just one average ZHR for each `observation window' (i.e. America, Middle East/Africa, etc.). The participating observers who sent their data by now were: Observer Location Sanaa Abdo, Jordan 37.1 E 31.7 N Joseph Assmus, USA 116.6 W 32.8 N Mohammad Awadallah, Jordan 37.1 E 31.7 N Tim Cooper, South Africa 28.3 E 26.1 S Hani Dalee, Jordan 37.1 E 31.7 N Pete Gural, USA 78 W 38 N Ibrahim Jamil, Jordan 37.1 E 31.7 N Robert Lunsford, USA 116.6 W 32.8 N Adam Marsh, Australia 145 E 36 S Norman W. McLeod, USA 81.8 W 26.6 N Sirko Molau, Germany 37.1 E 31.7 N Mirko Nitschke, Germany 37.1 E 31.7 N Mohammad Odeh, Jordan 37.1 E 31.7 N Jurgen Rendtel, Germany 37.1 E 31.7 N Date (1997) Sollong #Int N_ETA ZHR +- May 4.08 43.69 2 30 41 7 May 4.75 44.34 2 21 55 10 May 5.06 44.64 8 122 45 14 May 5.37 44.94 6 56 38 12 May 6.02 45.57 15 140 50 25 May 6.36 45.90 7 55 32 11 May 7.02 46.54 11 98 45 15 May 7.37 46.88 5 53 37 11 May 8.37 47.85 5 14 17 10 As already mentioned above, this data is not sufficient for a detailed analysis of the 1997 return of the ETA shower. Nevertheless, it is a considerable amount of data compared with previous returns. This preliminary summary also supports the activity information given in the IMO Visual Handbook: there is a rather wide activity maximum with (averaged) ZHRs of the order of 50-60, centered at solar longitude 45.5 deg (2000.0). Thanks for all immediate reports - any further observing reports are welcome! Juergen Rendtel and Rainer Arlt, 1997 May 16 Date: Fri, 6 Jun 1997 14:45:44 +0200 From: Daniel Fischer Subject: The wild claims about the hail of mini-comets Im sure that most in the meteor community have by now heard about the revival of the ideas about the hail of 10 m sized and highly unusual comets that supposedly hit the Earth's atmosphere every few minutes. At http://smallcomets.physics.uiowa.edu discoverer L. Frank himself tells the story, while various stories e.g. at http://www.sciencenow.org/html/970528b.htm , http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc97/5_31_97/fob1.htm and http://washingtonpost.com:80/wp-srv/WPlate/1997-06/01/117L-060197-idx.html also give weight to the highly controversial nature of the claims. What puzzled me most was a picture released last week, e.g. at http://smallcomets.physics.uiowa.edu/www/may28-2.html and ftp://pao.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/pao/releases/1997/97-61.jpg that, according to the caption, "contains the trail of an object over the Atlantic Ocean and Western Europe on Sept. 26,1996. The object was in sunlight but the Earth below was in darkness, so a map of the Earth has been superposed onto the image as a frame of reference. According to Dr. Louis A. Frank of the University of Iowa, the instrumens principal investigator, this time lapse image with a duration of 54 seconds shows a small comet the size of a two-bedroom house that disrupted 5,000 to 15,000 miles above the Earth." In his own description of the image Frank calls it a "spectacular disruption (at right) of a small comet the size of a two-bedroom house [that] took place 5,000 to 15,000 miles above the Atlantic Ocean at 2228 UT on September 26, 1996. A view of Earth at the time of the event has been superposed onto the far-ultraviolet image as a frame of reference. This unusually bright and long-lived trail, which was captured by Earth Camera aboard NASA's Polar spacecraft, ends over Germany." Germany, at 22:28 UTC? That means it was already dark! Which leads to the immediate question: Did anyone observe something unusual on that Sept. 26, 1996, evening over the British Isles or Central Europe - or did meteor cameras record something unusual? From the otherwise undocumented image itself it is impossible to judge the luminosity (let alone the visual brightness) of the phenomenon, but its visual observation (or clear null result) would be an important constraint for the physics involved. Another interesting note for amateur observers: In his new "FAQ" list at http://smallcomets.physics.uiowa.edu/www/faq.htmlx Frank also addresses amateur astronomy and visual observers twice: "Can the small comets be seen by the naked eye? Yes, but you will need lots of patience--and a little luck. Too see a small comet you must stand out on a clear dark night until you see a short streak that quickly snuffs out. It will be about the brightness of Venus for about two seconds before it vanishes. But you will have to be out there for a hundred hours or so to see one. A hundred hours of clear night viewing does not happen often in the average lifetime. How can amateur astronomers spot the small comets? Amateur astronomers whose telescopes have mirrors or lenses measuring12 inches or larger should be able to sight the small comets. During the course of a day there are two times for observation, each about one or two hours long. One ends about 45 minutes before sunrise; the other begins about 45 minutes after sunset. The small comets will be seen at a distance about 2,500 to 4,500 miles from the observer,so the telescope should be pointed in such a way that it is looking for them at these distances, just outside the Earth's shadow. Inside the shadow the objects are not illuminated by the Sun and are invisible. Every two hours or so a small, quite dim object will slowly move across your view, as long as your field of view is about four times the size of the Moon. The object will move at a distance equal to the Moon's diameter every five seconds or so. Several amateur astronomers have reported seeing such objects." Comments on this remarkable issue - and Frank's wild claims in the last two paragraphs in particular - would be highly welcome, especially since I am right now writing a review article about it! Daniel Fischer, dfischer@astro.uni-bonn.de http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/5599/mirror.html Date: Fri, 6 Jun 1997 10:36:06 -0700 (PDT) From: "Fred H. Francis" Subject: Re: The wild claims about the hail of mini-comets (fwd) Dear Daniel, Which is more "wild", Dr. Frank's theory, or your analysis? Did you fail to note in that the photo, as published was clearly described as a composite (hence, in all probability, a v.l. representation of the earth was superimposed for clarity beneath the genuine image of the comet)? Did you fail to note your own recitation of the fact that the image was taken in the ultra-violet (hence accounting for the object's brightness)? Did you fail to note that, in the description of the phenomenon itself, republished with the latest photo, the reason cited for the almost complete lack of a v.l. (visual light) signature is that the snowball breaks-up almost immediatly upon touching the atmosphere, thus dissipating the bulk of its momentum and thus the possibility of normal luminous radiation due to atmospheric heating.? Given that your attack on Dr. Frank's views is so pointed, I must add that the fact that you obviously did not read much of te material you cite is at least amazing as the fact that you seem to understand so little of it. To compound that by writing a review article on it without actually (apparently) contacting the NASA folks to at least get their explanation of the facts which seem to confuse you is truly marvelous. As you do not, apparently, understand either Dr. Frank's theory or its factual/phenomenological basis, I must ask the following question: How is it possible to write your article without checking the facts, or do you intend to rely upon intuition and 'common sense'? Sincerely, Fred H. Francis Date: 09 Jun 1997 16:38:00 +0200 From: Andre Knoefel Subject: IMO Meteor Shower Calendar 1998 International Meteor Organization 1998 Meteor Shower Calendar (Net-Version) ========================================= compiled by Alastair McBeath based on data in IMO Monograph No.2: Handbook for Visual Meteor Observers, edited by Juergen Rendtel, Rainer Arlt and Alastair McBeath, IMO, 1995, with additional contributions from Rainer Arlt, Marc de Lignie, Juergen Rendtel and Paul Roggemans. Layout by Andre Knoefel. Introduction ------------ Welcome to the 1998 International Meteor Organization (IMO) Meteor Shower Calendar. This year promises to be an extremely interesting one, with most major showers free from moonlight interference (except the eta-Aquarids and Perseids), the prospect of a Draconid return in October, and a possible meteor storm from the Leonids in November. Do not forget that monitoring of meteor activity should ideally be carried on throughout the rest of the year too, however! We appreciate that this is not practical for many observers, and this Calendar was devised as a means of helping observers deal with reality by highlighting times when a particular effort may most usefully be employed. Although we include to-the-hour predictions for all the more active night-time and daytime shower maxima, based on the best available data, please note that in many cases, such maxima are not known more precisely than to the nearest 1deg of solar longitude (even less accurately for the daytime radio showers, which have received little attention in recent years). In addition, variations in individual showers from year to year mean past returns are at best only a guide as to when even major shower peaks can be expected, plus as some showers are known to show particle mass-sorting within their meteoroid streams, the radio, telescopic, visual and photographic meteor maxima may occur at different times from one another, and not necessarily just in these showers. The majority of data available are for visual shower maxima, so this must be borne in mind when employing other observing techniques. The heart of the Calendar is the Working List of Visual Meteor Showers, thanks to regular analyses using the IMO's Visual Meteor Database, the single most accurate listing available anywhere today for naked-eye meteor observing. Even this can never be a complete list of all meteor showers, since there are many showers which cannot be properly detected visually, and some which only photographic, radar, telescopic, or video observations can separate from the background sporadic meteors, present throughout the year. The IMO's aims are to encourage, collect, analyze, and publish combined meteor data obtained from sites all over the globe in order to further our understanding of the meteor activity detectable from the Earth's surface. Results from only a few localized places can never provide such total comprehension, and it is thanks to the efforts of the many IMO observers worldwide since 1988 that we have been able to achieve as much as we have to date. This is not a matter for complacency, however, since it is solely by the continued support of many people across the whole world that our steps towards constructing a better and more complete picture of the near- Earth meteoroid flux can proceed. This means that all meteor workers, wherever they are and whatever methods they use to record meteors, should follow the standard IMO observing guidelines when compiling their information, and submit their data promptly to the appropriate Commission for analysis. Visual and photographic techniques remain popular for nightly meteor coverage (weather permitting), although both suffer considerably from the presence of moonlight. Telescopic observations are less popular, although they allow the fine detail of shower radiant structures to be derived, and they permit very low activity showers to be accurately detected. Video methods have been dynamically applied in the last few years, and are starting to bear considerable fruit. These have the advantages, and disadvantages, of both photographic and telescopic observing, but are already increasing in importance. Radio receivers can be utilized at all times, regardless of clouds, moonlight, or daylight, and provide the only way in which 24-hour meteor observing can be accomplished for most latitudes. Together, these methods cover virtually the entire range of meteoroid sizes, from the very largest fireball-producing events (using all-sky photographic patrols or visual observations) through to tiny dust grains producing extremely faint telescopic or radio meteors. However and whenever you are able to observe, we wish you all a most successful year's work and very much look forward to receiving your data. Clear skies! January to March ---------------- The opening quarter of the year brings several low activity showers, including the first of the year's main diffuse ecliptical stream complexes, the Virginids, active from late January to mid-April. Of the two better showers, only the northern-hemisphere Quadrantids in early January are free from moonlight. The other, the alpha-Centaurids, a sometimes good southern hemisphere shower (maximum around February 7, 16h UT) is too close to full Moon for non-radio observations. The minor delta-Cancrids in mid-January lose out too to a bright Moon, along with the gamma-Normids in mid-March. Daylight radio peaks are due from the Capricornids/Sagittarids around 13h UT on February 1, and the chi-Capricornids on February 13, probably around 14h UT. Neither radio shower has been well-observed in recent times, and as both have radiants under 10deg-15deg west of the Sun at maximum, they cannot be regarded as visual targets even from the southern hemisphere. Quadrantids ----------- Active: January 1 - 5; Maximum: January 3, 17h UT (lambda = 283.16deg); ZHR = 120 (can vary around 60-200); Radiant: = 230deg, = +49deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg at maximum; V = 41 km/s; r = 2.1 at maximum, but variable; TFC: alpha = 242deg, delta = +75deg and alpha = 198deg, delta = +40deg (beta > 40deg N); PFC: before 00h local time alpha = 150deg, delta = +70deg; after 00h local time alpha = 180deg, delta = +40deg and alpha = 240deg, delta = +70deg (beta > 40deg N). The year commences with a good return of the Quadrantids for northern hemisphere observers, as the Moon will be a waxing crescent setting by the local late evening hours of January 3. Since the shower's radiant is in northern Bootes, it is circumpolar for many northern locations, but it attains a useful elevation only after local midnight or so, and gets higher towards morning twilight. The Moon will thus present no problems in 1998. An interesting challenge is to try spotting the occasional long-pathed shower member from the southern hemisphere around dawn, but sensible Quadrantid watching cannot be carried out from such locations. The maximum time given above is based on the best-observed return of the shower ever analysed, from IMO 1992 data, confirmed by radio results in 1996 and 1997, and a repeat of which time in 1998 would favour sites from Alaska and the Northern Pacific islands to Far Eastern Siberia, China and Japan. The peak itself is short-lived, and can be easily missed in just a few hours of poor winter weather in the north, which may be why the ZHR level apparently fluctuates from year to year, but some genuine variability is probably present too. An added level of complexity comes from the fact that mass-sorting of particles across the meteoroid stream may make fainter objects (radio and telescopic meteors) reach maximum up to 14 hours before the brighter (visual and photographic) ones, so observers should be alert throughout the shower! Past observations have suggested the radiant is very diffuse away from the maximum, contracting notably during the peak itself, although this may be a result of the very low activity normally seen away from the hours near maximum. Photographic and video observations from January 1-5 would be particularly welcomed by those investigating this topic, using the PFCs and TFCs given above, along with telescopic and visual plotting results. delta-Leonids ------------- Active: February 15 - March 10; Maximum: February 24 (lambda = 336deg); ZHR = 2; Radiant: alpha = 168deg, delta = +16deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 23 km/s; r = 3.0; TFC: alpha = 140deg, delta = +37deg and alpha = 151deg, delta = +22deg (beta > 10deg N); alpha = 140deg, delta = -10deg and alpha = 160deg, delta = 00deg (beta < 10deg N). This minor shower is probably part of the early Virginid activity. Rates are normally low, and its meteors are predominantly faint, so it is a prime candidate for telescopic investigation. Visual observers must make very accurate plots of the meteors to distinguish them from the nearby Virginids and the sporadics. Northern hemisphere sites have a distinct advantage for covering this stream, whose radiant is well on view for most of the night near the peak, close to the "Sickle" or "Head" of Leo, but southern hemisphere watchers should not ignore it, as they are better-placed to note many of the other Virginid radiants. With the Moon just two days before new at the shower's maximum, conditions could scarcely be better for observing it. April to June ------------- Meteor activity picks up towards the April-May boundary, with showers like the Lyrids, p-Puppids and h-Aquarids, and only this latter source suffers from moonlight this year. During May and June, most of the activity is in the daytime sky, with six shower peaks expected during this time. Although a few shower members from the o-Cetids and Arietids have been reported from tropical and southern hemisphere sites visually in previous years, sensible activity calculations cannot be carried out from such observations. For radio observers, the expected UT maxima for these showers and the Moon- affected h- Aquarids are as follows: April Piscids -- April 20, 13h UT; delta-Piscids -- April 24, 13h UT; eta-Aquarids -- May 6, 04h UT; epsilon-Arietids -- May 9, 12h UT; May Arietids -- May 16, 13h UT; o-Cetids -- May 20, 11h UT; Arietids -- June 7, 15h UT; zeta-Perseids -- June 9, 14h UT; beta-Taurids -- June 28, 14h UT. The ecliptical complexes continue with some late Virginids and the best from the minor Sagittarids in May-June. Lyrids ------ Active: April 16 - 25; Maximum: April 22, 10h UT (lambda = 32.1deg); ZHR: 15 (can be variable, up to 90); Radiant: alpha = 271deg, delta = +34deg ; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 49 km/s; r = 2.9; TFC: alpha = 262deg, delta = +16deg and alpha = 282deg, delta = +19deg (beta > 10deg S). The Lyrids are best viewed from the northern hemisphere, but they are observable from many sites either north or south of the equator, and are suitable for all forms of observation. Maximum rates are usually attained for only an hour or two at best, although in 1996, mean peak ZHRs of 15-20 persisted for around 8-12 hours. The ZHR can be rather erratic at times, a variability also seen in 1996, when rates ranged between 10-30 from hour to hour during the peak. The last high maximum occurred in 1982 over the USA, when a very short-lived peak ZHR of 90 was recorded. This unpredictability always makes the Lyrids a shower to watch, since we cannot say when the next unusual return may occur. As the shower's radiant rises during the night, watches can be usefully carried out from about 22:30 local time onwards. This year, the Moon will be a waning crescent in Capricornus/Aquarius for the peak, and will rise not long before dawn, so skies should remain dark for much of the night. The predicted maximum should favour sites across North America if correct, but variations in the stream could mean this is not the case in actuality. pi-Puppids ---------- Active: April 15 - 28; Maximum: April 23, 20h UT (lambda = 33.5deg); ZHR: periodic, up to around 40; Radiant: alpha = 110deg, delta = -45deg ; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 18 km/s; r = 2.0; TFC: alpha = 135deg, delta = -55deg and alpha = 105deg, delta = -25deg (beta < 20deg N). This is a young stream produced by Comet 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup, and shower activity has only been detected from it since 1972. Notable short-lived shower maxima of around 40 meteors per hour took place in 1977 and 1982, both years when the parent comet was at perihelion, but before 1982, little activity had been seen at other times. In 1983, a ZHR of about 13 was reported, perhaps suggesting that material has begun to spread further along the comet's orbit, as theory predicts. Comet Grigg-Skjellerup was due at perihelion on 1997 August 30, but in 1997 an almost full Moon coincided with the shower's peak. At the 1998 return, we reach the closest-approach point to the orbit almost eight months after the comet, so this will be a useful year to check for pi-Puppid activity further from the comet, especially as the Moon is just three days from new for the maximum. The shower is best-seen from the southern hemisphere, with useful observations mainly possible before local midnight, as the radiant is very low or setting after 1h local time. So far, visual and radio data have been collected on the shower, but the slow, bright nature of the meteors makes them ideal photographic subjects too. No telescopic or video data have been reported in any detail as yet either. July to September ----------------- Minor shower activity continues apace from near-ecliptic sources throughout this quarter, first from the Sagittarids, then the Aquarid and Capricornid showers (discussed below with the Piscis Austrinids; the Southern iota- Aquarid and Northern delta-Aquarid maxima lose out to August's full Moon), and finally the Piscids into September. Other showers that vanish into bright moonlight this quarter include the Pegasids and Phoenicids in July; the Perseids in August (coverage is still important, but will be exceptionally difficult with a waning gibbous Moon; the maxima are predicted for August 12, 14h UT and August 12, 22h UT); and the alpha- and delta-Aurigids in September (alpha-Aurigid peak due around September 1, 05h UT). At least the minor kappa-Cygnids still survive this moonlight onslaught! For daylight radio observations, the interest of May-June has waned, but there remain the visually-inaccessible gamma-Leonids (peak due August 25d 14h UT), and a tricky visual shower, the Sextantids (maximum expected September 27d 14h UT). The latter has no problems from the waxing crescent Moon, but its radiant will rise less than an hour before dawn ineither hemisphere. Piscis Austrinids and Aquarid/Capricornid Complex ------------------------------------------------- Piscis Austrinids ----------------- Active: July 15 - August 10; Maximum: July 28 (lambda = 125deg); ZHR = 5; Radiant: alpha = 341deg, delta = -30deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 35 km/s; r = 3.2; TFC: alpha = 255deg to 000deg, delta = 00deg to +15deg, choose pairs separated by about 30deg in alpha (beta < 30deg N). Southern delta-Aquarids ----------------------- Active: July 12 - August 19; Maximum: July 28, 06h UT (lambda = 125deg); ZHR = 20; Radiant: alpha = 339deg, delta = -16deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 41 km/s; r = 3.2; TFC: alpha = 255deg to 000deg, delta = 00deg to +15deg, choose pairs separated by about 30deg in alpha (beta < 40deg N). alpha-Capricornids ------------------ Active: July 3 - August 15; Maximum: July 30 (lambda = 127deg ); ZHR = 4; Radiant: alpha = 307deg, delta = -10deg ; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 8deg; V = 23 km/s; r = 2.5; TFC: alpha = 255deg to 000deg, delta = 00deg to +15deg, choose pairs separated by about 30deg in alpha (beta < 40deg N). PFC: alpha = 300deg, delta = +10deg (beta > 45deg N), alpha = 320deg, delta = -05deg (beta = 0deg to 45deg N), alpha = 300deg, delta = -25deg (beta < 0deg S.) Northern iota-Aquarids ---------------------- Active: August 11 - 31; Maximum: August 20 (lambda = 147deg); ZHR = 3; Radiant: alpha = 327deg, delta = -06deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 31 km/s; r = 3.2; TFC: alpha = 255deg to 000deg, delta = 00deg to +15deg, choose pairs separated by about 30deg in alpha (beta < 40deg N). The Aquarids and Piscis Austrinids are all rich in faint meteors, making them well-suited to telescopic work, although enough brighter members exist to make visual and photographic observations worth the effort too, primarily from more southerly sites. Radio work can be used to pick up the Southern delta-Aquarids especially, as the most active of these showers. The alpha-Capricornids are noted for their bright - sometimes fireball- class - events, which, combined with their low apparent velocity, can make some of these objects among the most impressive and attractive an observer could wish for. A minor enhancement of alpha-Capricornid ZHRs to around 10 was noted in 1995 by European IMO observers, although the Southern delta- Aquarids were the only one of these streams previously suspected of occasional variability. Such a concentration of radiants in a small area of sky means that familiarity with where all the radiants are is essential for accurate shower association for all observing nights. Visual watchers in particular should plot all potential stream members seen in this region of sky rather than trying to make shower associations in the field. The only exception is when the Southern delta-Aquarids are near their peak, as from southern hemisphere sites in particular, rates may become too high for accurate plotting. All the above listed shower maxima are almost free from lunar interference in 1998. The Piscis Austrinid, Southern delta-Aquarid and alpha-Capricornid maxima have only a waxing crescent Moon to contend with, while August's new Moon falls favourably for the Northern iota-Aquarid peak. All these radiants are above the horizon for much of the night. kappa-Cygnids ------------- Active: August 3 - 25; Maximum: August 18 (lambda = 145deg); ZHR = 3; Radiant: alpha = 286deg, delta = +59deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 25 km/s; r = 3.0; TFC: alpha = 330deg, delta = +60deg and alpha = 300deg, delta = +30deg (beta > 20deg N). The waning crescent Moon will rise during the local early morning hours at the kappa-Cygnid peak this year, a very minor nuisance only for watchers north of the equator, where the shower is chiefly accessible from. Its r- value suggests telescopic and video observers may benefit from its presence, but visual and photographic workers should note that occasional slow fireballs from this source have been reported too. Its almost stationary radiant results from its close proximity to the ecliptic north pole in Draco. There has been some suggestion of a variation in its activity at times, perhaps coupled with a periodicity in fireball sightings, but more data are urgently needed on a shower that often is ignored in favour of the Perseids during August. Piscids ------- Active: September 1 - 30; Maximum: September 20 (lambda = 177deg); ZHR = 3; Radiant: alpha = 005deg , delta = -01deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 26 km/s; r = 3.0. TFC: alpha = 340deg to 020deg, delta = -15deg to +15deg, choose pairs separated by about 30deg in alpha (beta any). The Piscids are a poorly-studied minor shower, with a radiant very close to the March equinox point in the sky. Consequently, they can be studied equally well from either hemisphere throughout the night near the September equinox, close to their probable maximum time. This year, new Moon falls exactly on September 20, but there is some doubt as to exactly when the Piscid peak may occur - or indeed, if there is only the one. Telescopic and video methods can be usefully employed to study it, along with careful visual plotting. October to December ------------------- Ecliptical minor shower activity reaches what might be regarded as a peak in early to mid November, with the Taurid streams in action (the Southern Taurid maximum will be lost to bright moonlight this year, but something of the Northern peak should still be seen). Before then come an important return of the Draconids, the Orionid and the minor epsilon-Geminid maxima. This is also a key year for the Leonids in November, and a good one to check for a repeat of 1995's outburst for the alpha-Monocerotids. December's full Moon claims the maxima of the chi-Orionids, Phoenicids (December 6, 13h UT) and the early, better, part of the weak Puppid-Velid complex, as well as much of the Monocerotids and sigma-Hydrids. This does mean the Geminids, Coma Berenicids and Ursids are all much better-placed with regard to the Moon. Draconids --------- Active: October 6 - 10; Maximum: October 8, 17-23h (lambda = 195.40deg); ZHR = periodic, up to storm levels; Radiant: alpha = 262deg, delta = +54deg; Radiant drift: negliginle; Radius: 5deg; V = 20 km/s; r = 2.6; TFC: alpha = 290deg, delta = +65deg and alpha = 288deg, delta = +39deg (beta > 30deg N). Despite the presence of a waning gibbous Moon, which will rise within 2-3 hours of nightfall for the northern hemisphere sites this shower is visible from, 1998 is a very important year for observing the Draconids. This periodic shower has produced spectacular, brief, meteor storms twice already this century, in 1933 and 1946, and lower rates in several other years (ZHRs around 20-200+), most recently in 1985. So far, detectable activity has only been seen in years when the stream's parent comet, 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, has returned to perihelion, which it is expected to do again in 1998 November. Perturbations of the stream, coupled with the fact that the 1946 event remains the best-observed return, mean predicting when activity might occur is very difficult. The spread in solar longitudes at which notable past activity has been detected is from lambda = 195.26deg (1985) to lambda = 197.0deg (1933), which equates to times between October 8, 17h UT and October 10, 12h UT in 1998. This is certainly a period that all observers should be alert to, using a full range of techniques, but with the Earth expected to pass the comet's node at lambda = 195.398deg (October 8, 21 h UT), times earlier in this period may be more likely. The peak time given in the box above is a mean value of the previous returns, and should be viewed more as a general guide than an absolute value. The radiant, near Draco's "Head", is circumpolar from many locations, but is higher in the pre-midnight and near-dawn hours on October 8-10. Photographic and video data would be especially valuable in case high rates do take place. epsilon-Geminids ---------------- Active: October 14 - 27; Maximum: October 18 (lambda = 205deg); ZHR = 2; Radiant: alpha = 102deg, delta = +27deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 70 km/s; r = 3.0; TFC: alpha = 090deg, delta = +20deg and alpha = 125deg, delta = +20deg (beta > 20deg S). A weak minor shower, whose meteors are very like the Orionids, active, and at maximum, around the same time, so great care must be taken to separate the two sources by instrumental techniques - especially video or telescopic work - or visual plotting. New Moon on October 20 presents an excellent opportunity to obtain more data on them from either hemisphere, although northern observers have an advantage. The radiant is higher only after midnight. Orionids -------- Active: October 2 - November 7; Maximum: October 21 (lambda = 208), ZHR = 20; Radiant: alpha = 095deg, delta = +16deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 10deg; V = 66 km/s; r = 2.9; TFC: alpha = 100deg, delta = +39deg and alpha = 075deg, delta = +24deg (beta > 40deg N); or alpha = 080deg, delta = +01deg and alpha = 117deg, delta = +01deg (beta < 40deg N). October's new Moon enhances the Orionids this year too. They are noted for having several maxima other than the main one detailed above, with activity sometimes remaining almost constant for several consecutive nights centred on this peak. In 1993, a submaximum as strong as the normal peak was detected on October 17-18 from Europe, for instance. All observers should be aware of these possibilities. Several subradiants have been reported in the past, but recent video work suggests the radiant is far less complex; photographic, telescopic and video work to confirm this would be useful, as visual observers have clearly had problems with this shower's radiant determination before. With a radiant almost on the celestial equator, the shower can be seen from most of the globe, and observations are possible from midnight onwards in both hemispheres, perhaps a little before in the north. Leonids ------- Active: November 14 - 21; Maximum: November 17, 19h UT (lambda = 235.25deg); ZHR = 40+ (45 in 1996), but may reach storm levels in 1998-99; Radiant: alpha = 153deg, delta = +22deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 71 km/s; r = 2.9; TFC: alpha = 140deg, delta = +35deg and alpha = 129deg, delta = +06deg (beta > 35deg N); or alpha = 156deg, delta = -03deg and alpha = 129deg, delta = +06deg (beta < 35deg N); PFC: before 00h local time alpha = 120deg, delta = +40deg (beta > 40deg N); before 04h local time alpha = 120deg, delta = +20deg (beta > 40deg N); and after 04h local time alpha = 160deg, delta = 00deg (beta > 00deg N); before 00h local time alpha = 120deg, delta = +10deg (beta > 40deg N); and alpha = 160deg, delta = -10deg (beta < 00deg N). The recovery of the Leonids' parent comet, 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, on 1997 March 4 has raised hopes further that a storm of Leonids might occur in 1998 or 1999. There are, of course, no guarantees that this will happen, but all observers must realise that even discovering the absence of any unusual Leonid activity would still be very valuable information - albeit not all that interesting to witness! Visual IMO International Leonid Watch and radio observations in 1996 indicated quite a broad Leonid maximum between lambda = around 235.1deg-235.4deg (equivalent to 1998 November 17, 14h-22h UT), with one minor peak at lambda = 235.17deg (1998 November 17, 17h UT). As the Earth should pass the node of the comet's orbit around 1998 November 17, 19h UT (lambda = around 235.3deg), this may well be the most likely time for the very highest activity to occur. As the radiant, in Leo's "Head" or "Sickle" asterism, rises only around local midnight (or indeed afterwards south of the equator), places in the Far East, including China, Eastern Siberia and Japan, south through the Western Pacific islands to Australia, should be the favoured spots, if the maximum keeps to this time. Even a minor variation could mean places east or west of this zone may see something of the shower's best too, however. Look out for further updates in the IMO's journal WGN after the 1997 return. The Moon is just two days from new on November 17, so it will cause no problems this year, and all observing methods should be utilised to the full, especially photography and video if a storm manifests. alpha-Monocerotids ------------------ Active: November 15 - 25; Maximum: November 21, 20h UT (lambda = 239.32deg); ZHR = variable, usually around 5 but may produce outbursts to around 400+; Radiant: alpha = 117deg, delta = +01deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 65 km/s; r = 2.4; TFC: alpha = 115deg, delta = +23deg and alpha = 129deg, delta = +20deg (beta > 20deg N); alpha = 110deg, delta = -27deg and alpha = 098deg, delta = +06deg (beta < 20deg N). Another late-year shower capable of producing surprises, the alpha- Monocerotids gave their most recent brief outburst in 1995 (the top EZHR, around 420, lasted just five minutes; the entire outburst 30 minutes). Many observers across Europe witnessed it, and we have been able to completely update the known shower parameters as a result. Whether this indicates the propsed ten-year periodicity in such returns is real or not, only the future will tell, however, so all observers should continue to monitor this source closely. New Moon on November 19 makes this an excellent year for such scrutiny, with the radiant well on view in both hemispheres after about 23h local time or so. Geminids -------- Active: December 7 - 17; Maximum: December 14, 05h UT (lambda = 262.0deg); ZHR = 120; Radiant: alpha = 112deg, delta = +33deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 35 km/s; r = 2.6; TFC: before 23h local time alpha = 087deg, delta = +20deg and alpha = 135deg, delta = +49deg; after 23h local time alpha = 087deg, delta = +20deg and alpha = 129deg, delta = +20deg (beta > 40deg N); alpha = 120deg, delta = -03deg and alpha = 084deg, delta = +10deg (beta < 40deg N); PFC: alpha = 150deg, delta = +20deg and alpha = 060deg, delta = +40deg (beta > 20deg N); and alpha = 135deg, delta = -05deg and alpha = 080deg, delta = 00deg (beta < 20deg N). One of the finest annual showers presently observable, their early stages will be lost to moonlight this year, but their peak occurs with a waning crescent Moon which should present few problems, and then only late in the night. Well north of the equator, the radiant rises around sunset, and can be usefully observed from the local evening hours onwards, but in the southern hemisphere, the radiant appears only around local midnight or so. Even here, this is a splendid stream of often bright, medium-speed meteors, a rewarding sight for all watchers. The peak has shown slight signs of variability in its maximum rates and the actual peak timing (ZHRs were around 110 around lambda 262.2deg-262.4deg in 1996, for instance), so the best activity may occur a little before or after the suggested time above. Even so, European, African, Near Eastern and American sites are the most likely beneficiaries of the very best Geminid rates in 1998. Some mass- sorting within the stream means the fainter telescopic meteors should be most abundant almost 1deg of solar longitude ahead of the visual maximum, with telescopic results indicating these meteors radiate from an elongated region, perhaps with three sub-centers. Further results on this topic would be useful, but all observing methods can be employed to observe the shower. Coma Berenicids --------------- Active: December 12 - January 23; Maximum: December 20, (lambda = 268deg); ZHR = 5; Radiant: alpha = 175deg, delta = +25deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 65 km/s; r = 3.0; TFC: alpha = 180deg, delta = +50deg and alpha = 165deg, delta = +20deg before 03h local time, alpha = 195deg, delta = +10deg and alpha = 200deg, delta = +45deg after 03h local time (beta > 20deg N). A weak minor shower that is usually observed only during the Geminid and Quadrantid epochs, but which needs more coverage at other times too, especially to better-define its maximum. The shower is almost unobservable from the southern hemisphere, so northern watchers must brave the winter cold to improve our knowledge of it, especially this year as its expected peak is just two days after new Moon. The radiant is at a useful elevation from local midnight onwards. Ursids ------ Active: December 17 - 26; Maximum: December 22, 18h UT (lambda = 270.7deg); ZHR = 10 (occasionally variable up to 50); Radiant: alpha = 217deg, delta = +76deg; Radiant drift: see Table 3; Radius: 5deg; V = 33 km/s; r = 3.0; TFC: alpha = 348deg, delta = +75deg and alpha = 131deg, delta = +66deg (beta > 40deg N); alpha = 063deg, delta = +84deg and alpha = 156deg, delta = +64deg (beta 30deg to 40deg N); A very poorly-observed northern hemisphere shower, but one which has produced at least two major outbursts in the past half-century or so, in 1945 and 1986. Several other rate enhancements, recently in 1988 and 1994, have been reported too. Other similar events could easily have been missed due to poor weather or too few observers active. All forms of observation can be used for the shower, since many of its meteors are faint, but with so little work carried out on the stream, it is impossible to be precise in making statements about it. The radio maximum in 1996 occurred around lambda 270.8deg, for instance, which might suggest a slightly later maximum time in 1998 of December 22, 20h UT. The Ursid radiant is circumpolar from most northern sites (thus fails to rise for most southern ones), though it culminates after daybreak, and is highest in the sky later in the night. The waxing crescent Moon will give dark skies for observations almost all night on December 22. Abbreviations ------------- alpha, delta: Coordinates for a shower's radiant position, usually at maximum; is right ascension, is declination. Radiants drift across the sky each day due to the Earth's own orbital motion around the Sun, and this must be allowed for using the details in Table 3 for nights away from the listed shower maxima. r : The population index, a term computed from each shower's meteor magnitude distribution. r = 2.0-2.5 is brighter than average, while r above 3.0 is fainter than average. lambda: Solar longitude, a precise measure of the Earth's position on its orbit which is not dependent on the vagaries of the calendar. All are given for the equinox J2000.0. V : Pre-atmospheric or entry velocity of the meteoroid given in km/s. Velocities range from about 11 km/s (very slow) to 72 km/s (very fast). 40 km/s is roughly medium speed. ZHR: Zenithal Hourly Rate, a calculated maximum number of meteors an ideal observer would see in perfectly clear skies with the shower radiant overhead. This figure is given in terms of meteors per hour. Where meteor activity persisted at a high level for less than an hour, or where observing circumstances were very poor, an estimated ZHR (EZHR) is used, which is less accurate than the normal ZHR. TFC and PFC: suggested telescopic and photographic field centers respectively. beta is the observer's latitude ("<" means "south of" and ">" means "north of"). Pairs of telescopic fields must be observed, alternating about every half hour, so that the positions of radiants can be defined. The exact choice of TFC or PFC depends on the observer's location and the elevation of the radiant. Note that the TFCs are also useful centres to use for video camera fields as well. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 1: Lunar phases for 1997. New First Full Last Moon Quarter Moon Quarter January 5 January 12 January 20 January 28 February 3 February 11 February 19 February 26 March 5 March 13 March 21 March 28 April 3 April 11 April 19 April 26 May 3 May 11 May 19 May 25 June 2 June 10 June 17 June 24 July 1 July 9 July 16 July 23 July 31 August 8 August 14 August 22 August 30 September 6 September 13 September 20 September 28 October 5 October 12 October 20 October 28 November 4 November 11 November 19 November 27 December 3 December 10 December 18 December 26 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 2: Working list of visual meteor showers. Details in this Table were correct according to the best information available in June 1997. Contact the IMO's Visual Commission for more information. Maximum dates in parentheses indicate reference dates for the radiant, not true maxima. Some showers have ZHRs that vary from year to year. The most recent reliable figure is given here, except for possibly periodic showers that are noted as "var." = variable. Activity Maximum Radiant Shower Period Date lambda alpha delta [deg] [deg] [deg] Quadrantids Jan 01-Jan 05 Jan 03 283.16 230 +49 delta-Cancrids Jan 01-Jan 24 Jan 17 297 130 +20 alpha-Centaurids Jan 28-Feb 21 Feb 07 318.7 210 -59 delta-Leonids Feb 15-Mar 10 Feb 24 336 168 +16 gamma-Normids Feb 25-Mar 22 Mar 13 353 249 -51 Virginids Jan 25-Apr 15 (Mar 24)(004) 195 -04 Lyrids Apr 16-Apr 25 Apr 22 032.1 271 +34 pi-Puppids Apr 15-Apr 28 Apr 23 033.5 110 -45 eta-Aquarids Apr 19-May 28 May 06 045.5 338 -01 Sagittarids Apr 15-Jul 15 (May 20)(059) 247 -22 Pegasids Jul 07-Jul 13 Jul 10 108 340 +15 July Phoenicids Jul 10-Jul 16 Jul 13 111 032 -48 Pisces Austrinids Jul 15-Aug 10 Jul 28 125 341 -30 Southern delta-Aquarids Jul 12-Aug 19 Jul 28 125 339 -16 alpha-Capricornids Jul 03-Aug 15 Jul 30 127 307 -10 Southern iota-Aquarids Jul 25-Aug 15 Aug 04 132 334 -15 Northern delta-Aquarids Jul 15-Aug 25 Aug 08 136 335 -05 Perseids Jul 17-Aug 24 Aug 12 140.0 046 +58 kappa-Cygnids Aug 03-Aug 25 Aug 18 145 286 +59 Northern iota-Aquarids Aug 11-Aug 31 Aug 20 147 327 -06 alpha-Aurigids Aug 25-Sep 05 Sep 01 158.6 084 +42 delta-Aurigids Sep 05-Oct 10 Sep 08 166 060 +47 Piscids Sep 01-Sep 30 Sep 20 177 005 -01 Draconids Oct 06-Oct 10 Oct 08 195.4 262 +54 epsilon-Geminids Oct 14-Oct 27 Oct 18 205 102 +27 Orionids Oct 02-Nov 07 Oct 21 208 095 +16 Southern Taurids Oct 01-Nov 25 Nov 05 223 052 +13 Northern Taurids Oct 01-Nov 25 Nov 12 230 058 +22 Leonids Nov 14-Nov 21 Nov 17 235.25 153 +22 alpha-Monocerotids Nov 15-Nov 25 Nov 21 239.32 117 +01 chi-Orionids Nov 26-Dec 15 Dec 02 250 082 +23 Phoenicids Nov 28-Dec 09 Dec 06 254.25 018 -53 Puppid-Velids Dec 01-Dec 15 (Dec 07)(255) 123 -45 Monocerotids (Dec) Nov 27-Dec 17 Dec 09 257 100 +08 sigma-Hydrids Dec 03-Dec 15 Dec 12 260 127 +02 Geminids Dec 07-Dec 17 Dec 14 262.0 112 +33 Coma Berenicids Dec 12-Jan 23 Dec 20 268 175 +25 Ursids Dec 17-Dec 26 Dec 22 270.7 217 +76 IMO Shower v r ZHR Code [km/s] Quadrantids 41 2.1 120 QUA delta-Cancrids 28 3.0 4 DCA alpha-Centaurids 56 2.0 6 ACE delta-Leonids 23 3.0 2 DLE gamma-Normids 56 2.4 8 GNO Virginids 30 3.0 5 VIR Lyrids 49 2.9 15 LYR pi-Puppids 18 2.0 var. PPU eta-Aquarids 66 2.7 60 ETA Sagittarids 30 2.5 5 SAG Pegasids 70 3.0 3 JPE July Phoenicids 47 3.0 var. PHE Pisces Austrinids 35 3.2 5 PAU Southern delta-Aquarids 41 3.2 20 SDA alpha-Capricornids 23 2.5 4 CAP Southern iota-Aquarids 34 2.9 2 SIA Northern delta-Aquarids 42 3.4 4 NDA Perseids 59 2.6 90 PER kappa-Cygnids 25 3.0 3 KCG Northern iota-Aquarids 31 3.2 3 NIA alpha-Aurigids 66 2.5 10 AUR delta-Aurigids 64 3.0 6 DAU Piscids 26 3.0 3 SPI Draconids 20 2.6 var. GIA epsilon-Geminids 70 3.0 2 EGE Orionids 66 2.9 20 ORI Southern Taurids 27 2.3 5 STA Northern Taurids 29 2.3 5 NTA Leonids 71 2.5 40+ LEO alpha-Monocerotids 65 2.4 var. AMO chi-Orionids 28 3.0 3 XOR Phoenicids 18 2.8 var. PHO Puppid-Velids 40 2.9 10 PUP Monocerotids (Dec) 42 3.0 3 MON sigma-Hydrids 58 3.0 2 HYD Geminids 35 2.6 120 GEM Coma Berenicids 65 3.0 5 COM Ursids 33 3.0 10 URS --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 3: Radiant positions during the year in alpha and delta. COM DCA Jan 0 186 +20 112 +22 QUA Jan 5 190 +18 116 +22 231 +49 Jan 10 194 +17 121 +21 Jan 20 202 +13 130 +19 ACE VIR Jan 30 200 -57 157 +16 DLE Feb 10 214 -60 165 +10 155 +20 GNO Feb 20 225 -63 172 +6 164 +18 225 -53 Feb 28 178 +3 171 +15 234 -52 Mar 10 186 0 180 +12 245 -51 Mar 20 192 -3 256 -50 Mar 30 198 -5 Apr 10 SAG LYR PPU 203 -7 Apr 15 224 -17 263 +34 106 -44 ETA 205 -8 Apr 20 227 -18 269 +34 109 -45 323 -7 Apr 25 230 -19 274 +34 111 -45 328 -5 Apr 30 233 -19 332 -4 May 5 236 -20 337 -2 May 10 240 -21 341 0 May 20 247 -22 350 +5 May 30 256 -23 Jun 10 265 -23 Jun 15 270 -23 Jun 20 275 -23 Jun 25 280 -23 Jun 30 284 -23 CAP JPE Jul 5 289 -22 285 -16 SDA 338 +14 Jul 10 293 -22 PHE 289 -15 325 -19 NDA 341 +15 PER PAU Jul 15 298 -21 032 -48 294 -14 329 -19 316 -10 012 +51 330 -34 Jul 20 299 -12 333 -18 319 -9 SIA 018 +52 334 -33 Jul 25 303 -11 337 -17 323 -9 322 -17 023 +54 338 -31 Jul 30 KCG 308 -10 340 -16 327 -8 328 -16 029 +55 343 -29 Aug 5 283 +58 NIA 313 -8 345 -14 332 -6 334 -15 037 +57 348 -27 Aug 10 284 +58 317 -7 318 -6 349 -13 335 -5 339 -14 043 +58 352 -26 Aug 15 285 +59 322 -7 352 -12 339 -4 345 -13 050 +59 Aug 20 286 +59 327 -6 AUR 356 -11 343 -3 057 +59 Aug 25 288 +60 332 -5 076 +42 347 -2 065 +60 Aug 30 289 +60 337 -5 082 +42 DAU Sep 5 088 +42 055 +46 SPI Sep 10 060 +47 357 -5 Sep 15 066 +48 001 -3 Sep 20 071 +48 005 -1 Sep 25 NTA STA 077 +49 009 0 Sep 30 021 +11 023 +5 ORI 083 +49 013 +2 Oct 5 025 +12 027 +7 085 +14 089 +49 GIA Oct 10 029 +14 031 +8 088 +15 095 +49 262 +54 Oct 15 034 +16 035 +9 091 +15 EGE Oct 20 038 +17 039 +11 094 +16 099 +27 Oct 25 043 +18 043 +12 098 +16 104 +27 Oct 30 047 +20 047 +13 101 +16 109 +27 Nov 5 053 +21 052 +14 105 +17 Nov 10 058 +22 056 +15 LEO AMO Nov 15 062 +23 060 +16 150 +23 113 -5 Nov 20 067 +24 064 +16 XOR 153 +21 117 -6 Nov 25 072 +24 069 +17 075 +23 121 -7 MON PUP PHO Nov 30 080 +23 HYD 091 +8 120 -45 014 -52 Dec 5 COM GEM 085 +23 122 +3 096 +8 122 -45 018 -53 Dec 10 169 +27 108 +33 090 +23 126 +2 100 +8 125 -45 022 -53 Dec 15 173 +26 113 +33 094 +23 130 +1 URS 104 +8 128 -45 Dec 20 177 +24 118 +32 217 +75 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 4: Working list of daytime radio meteor streams. The "Best Observed" columns give the approximate local mean times between which a four-element antenna at an elevation of 45deg receiving a signal from a 30-kW transmitter 1000 km away should record at least 85% of any suitably positioned radio-reflecting meteor trails for the appropriate latitudes. Note that this is often heavily dependent on the compass direction in which the antenna is pointing, however, and applies only to dates near the shower's maximum. Shower Activity Max lambda Radiant Best Observed Rate Date 2000.0 alp.del. 50 N 35 S Cap/Sagittarids Jan 13-Feb 04 Feb 02 312.5 299 -15 11h-14h 09h-14h medium chi-Capricornids Jan 29-Feb 28 Feb 14 324.7 315 -24 10h-13h 08h-15h low Piscids (Apr.) Apr 08-Apr 29 Apr 20 030.3 007 +7 07h-14h 08h-13h low delta-Piscids Apr 24-Apr 24 Apr 24 034.2 011 +12 07h-14h 08h-13h low epsilon-Arietids Apr 24-May 27 May 08 048.7 044 +21 08h-15h 10h-14h low Arietids (May) May 04-Jun 06 May 16 055.5 037 +18 08h-15h 09h-13h low o-Cetids May 05-Jun 02 May 19 059.3 028 -4 07h-13h 07h-13h medium Arietids May 22-Jul 02 Jun 07 076.7 044 +24 06h-14h 08h-12h high zeta-Perseids May 20-Jul 05 Jun 09 078.6 062 +23 07h-15h 09h-13h high beta-Taurids Jun 05-Jul 17 Jun 28 096.7 086 +19 08h-15h 09h-13h medium gamma-Leonids Aug 14-Sep 12 Aug 25 152.2 155 +20 08h-16h 10h-14h low Sextantids Sep 09-Oct 09 Sep 27 184.3 152 0 06h-12h 06h-13h medium --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Useful addresses ---------------- For more information on observing techniques, and when submitting results, please contact the appropriate IMO Commission Director: Fireball Data Center (FIDAC): Andre Knoefel, Saarbruecker Strasse 8, D-40476 Duesseldorf, Germany. e-mail: fidac@imo.net Photographic Commission: Marc de Lignie, Prins Hendrikplein 42, NL-2264 SN Leidschendam, the Netherlands. e-mail: photo@imo.net Radio Commission: Temporarily vacant. e-mail: radio@imo.net Telescopic Commission: Malcolm Currie, 25 Collett Way, Grove, Wantage, Oxon. OX12 0NT, UK. e-mail: tele@imo.net Visual Commission: Rainer Arlt, Berliner Strasse 41, D-14467 Potsdam, Germany. e-mail: visual@imo.net or contact IMO's Homepage in the World-Wide-Web: http://www.imo.net/ For further details on IMO membership, please write to: Ina Rendtel, IMO Treasurer, Gontardstrasse 11, D-14471 Potsdam, Germany. e-mail: treasurer@imo.net Please try to enclose return postage when writing to any IMO officials, either in the form of stamps (same country only) or as an International Reply Coupon (I.R.C.--available from main postal outlets). Thank you! (C) 1997 by International Meteor Organization ## CrossPoint v3.11 ## Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 16:59:58 +0200 From: Daniel Fischer Subject: "New Zealand hit by meteor or space debris" http://www.nando.net/newsroom/ntn/health/061397/health9_1732.html tells us: New Zealand hit by meteor or space debris ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright ) 1997 Nando.net Copyright ) 1997 The Associated Press AUCKLAND (June 13, 1997 10:44 a.m. EDT) -- A brightly burning object crashed into New Zealand's North Island Friday in what police and scientists believe was a shower of meteors or space debris. Astrid Burgess was driving home around dinner time when she saw a ball of fire streak across the sky and crash with a "boom" into hills north of Wellington, the capital. "It was green and red at the back with smoke trailing out the rear of it," said Burgess. "I thought, 'Oh my God, it's a plane going down. They're going to die."' Emergency crews, responding to numerous similar reports, searched the area but found nothing. Authorities planned to fly over the area Saturday morning. "It wasn't a plane crash," said Pat O'Neill, a police inspector. "It's more likely from the advice we've been given that this incident is linked to unusual atmospheric activity -- possibly meteors or space debris." A meteor is the streak of light -- often called a falling star -- that occurs when a meteoroid, a chunk of stony or metallic matter, enters the Earth's atmosphere from space. Friction with the air causes the meteoroid to heat up, creating a glow and leaving a trail of glowing gases. While hundreds of fireballs are recorded around the world each year, meteoroids rarely survive to hit the Earth's surface. Most disintegrate upon reaching the atmosphere. John Field, a spokesman at New Zealand's Carter Observatory, said he fielded a number of calls about the object. "I tend to believe ... it's just a bit of space debris because a greenish glow tends to mean it has oxygen in it," he said today. "It could be a part of one of the old space craft that had gone up, or a satellite." --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Is anyone reading this list 'down there' and able to get more details? Daniel Fischer Date: Mon, 16 Jun 1997 11:17:06 +0200 (MET DST) From: Sirko Molau Subject: WWW Meteor Shower Calendar Hello friends, the 1998 Meteor Shower Calendar of IMO is now also at our website available: http://www.imo.net/calendar/cal98.html It bases on the text version distributed some days ago, and includes HTML layout and maps for the radiant positions. Sirko Molau IMO Webmaster Date: Sat, 12 Jul 1997 19:00:26 +0200 (MET DST) From: Slaven Garaj Subject: Bright meteors flash detector? Dear friends, I need help in constructing flash detector for meteors brighter than, say -4m. As you already heard from Nikola Biliskov and Neven Grbac at IMC 1996, our group observe Very Low Frequency radio meteor emission. It is suspected that only very bright fireballs produce such VLF radiation. Since the probability of occurence of such bright fireballs is very low, we decided to construct automatic station for monitoring in the VLF. It is very frustating that from April 1995, till now, we recorded only 100% VLF event, in Leonids 1995. The flash detector is needed: - to give signal to the computer, which part of digitized VLF signal is connected with the occurence of the meteor, and have to be stored. - to determine very approximate magnitude of fireball - to record relative light curve Now, some questions: - Is it possible to construct such flash detector without photomultiplier tube? I have HAMAMATSU 1P28 tube, but is not very sensitive in red and IR region. Further, the construction is not so simple because very stabile high voltage source is needed. - I've heard that practically same sensitivity and excellent spectral sensitivity in red and IR, can be obtained using avalanche photodiodes-APD. Do you have some experience with this? Where can I find more informations in constructing circuits with APD? - My friend told me that the output from photomultiplier tube should go to the differentiator circuit with time constant of 0.01s, and then through the A/D converter to PC. Any suggestions? I would be very grateful for any sort of help. Thanks in advance, bye, till IMC 1997 in Petnica Goran Zgrablic write at: slaven@astro.visnjan.hr subject: for Goran Date: 13 Jul 1997 09:59:00 +0200 From: Andrew Yee Subject: (Fwd) Report puts meteorite streams into mainstream science Purdue University CONTACT: Lipschutz, (765) 494-5326; e-mail, rnapuml@vm.cc.purdue.edu Compiled by Amanda Siegfried, (765) 494-4709; e-mail, amanda_siegfried@uns.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@uns.purdue.edu June 1997 Report puts meteorite streams into mainstream science WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The road map for our solar system may be sprinkled with streams of meteoroids, says a Purdue University professor. Michael Lipschutz, professor of chemistry who headed the team that discovered the first evidence for a meteoroid stream in 1993, has found a second stream by analyzing a series of meteorites that have crashed to Earth between 1812 and 1992. "This new stream appears to have deposited meteorites on Earth over two different intervals," Lipschutz says. "Apparently, the Earth intersected the stream's orbit at these points in time, and some of the meteoroids that were traveling in the stream landed on Earth." He reported his findings in the April issue of the Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets. Meteorites are the fragments of small objects called meteoroids that survive passage through the atmosphere and fall on the Earth's surface. Theoretically, a meteoroid stream is made up of a group of rocky fragments that are derived from the breakup of a near-Earth object and then travel in space in the same general orbit, Lipschutz says. "Meteoroids traveling together would likely represent fragments of the same asteroid, thus they would have a similar chemical makeup," he says. Using this knowledge, Lipschutz was able to link 17 meteorites that fell to Earth in two separate arrays by analyzing the trace elements in the meteorites. Trace elements are chemical markers that are found in very tiny amounts, such as parts per million or parts per billion. He then compared the contents of the samples with a set of 33 meteorites of similar composition that fell to Earth at random between 1773 and 1970. The 17 meteorites proved to have a chemical makeup that was similar to each other and significantly different from the meteorites in the random falls. "Only meteorites from a single source could account for these differences," Lipschutz says. The 17 meteorites fell to Earth in over a period of time in two separate arrays, indicating that the Earth may have intersected two different parts of the stream, Lipschutz says. The first group of meteorites landed from 1812 through 1831, and a second group of meteorites landed from 1843 and 1992. The falls all occurred during the months of September and October. In addition, several samples from the stream have interesting histories, Lipschutz says. "The first meteorite fall, called Borodino, fell two days before the famous 1812 battle there, the ultimate result of which was the devastating retreat of Napoleon's army from Russia," he says, "although no mention appears in history treatises of the Napoleonic era." The most recent fall, which occurred on Oct. 9, 1992, in Peekskill, N.Y., hit a car and was observed and videotaped over a five-state area, Lipschutz says. The existence of meteoroid streams was first proposed by Lipschutz and colleagues in 1986 to explain chemical differences, such as concentrations of trace elements, between Antarctic and non-Antarctic meteorites. --- Andrew Yee ayee@nova.astro.utoronto.ca Date: Fri, 18 Jul 1997 10:25:54 +0200 (CET) From: Vladimir Lukic Subject: IMC During this week we will send official invitations to all the people who have annaunced participation at IMC (it is to those who have registered, made reservations for flights or asked me for visa papers). Information on IMC, together with list of participants, will be sent by Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Yugoslav diplomatic missions in your country. This should be enough to have a visa without any problems. Yugoslav visa can be obtained in any diplomatic mission, but one has to go there personally (thus you can't do it by post). It would be the best to check by phone if your name appears on the list before you visit the embassy (although invitation itself would be good enough). If you would like to be included in the first version of list, and you still haven't registered, please contact me by Email, as soon as possible. Of course, list will be updated and sent to embassies after we get new registrations. Hope to see you soon, Vladimir Lukic Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 17:37:14 +0200 From: Raul Fernandez Sayalero Subject: Pegasids On 4-5th July, I observed Pegasids activity. I was surprised by this thing, 'cause I read the activity began the 7th of July. I want to know if other observers have watched this event. My results are: 4 July Begin End Efect.Time LM Clouds Pegasids Sporadics 02:01 03:19 1.08h 6.0 5% 1 12 5 July Begin End Efect.Time LM Clouds Pegasids Sporadics 01:24 02:54 1.3h 6.3 0% 3 9 Andres Rafael Paños Moya ( Posete) P.S Please write soon Thank you -- *** *** Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 22:49:18 -0400 From: Mark Davis Subject: Re: Pegasids On 7/23/97 +0200, you wrote: >On 4-5th July, I observed Pegasids activity. I was surprised by this >thing, 'cause I read >the activity began the 7th of July. I want to know if other observers >have watched this event. Hello, I have received the following Pegasid observations: UT Date UT Time T F LM SAG JPE CAP SDA PER PAU NDA SPO Observer Jul 05/06 0501-0600 0.97 1.05 6.10 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 8 Hall 0600-0700 0.98 1.05 6.20 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 9 Hall 0700-0800 0.87 1.05 5.80 1 0 0 1 3 0 0 6 Hall Jul 06/07 0745-0845 0.93 1.00 6.45 3 0 1 / / / / 6 Lunsford 0845-0945 0.93 1.00 6.42 0 0 0 / / / / 11 Lunsford 0945-1045 0.92 1.00 6.54 0 1 0 / / / / 12 Lunsford 1045-1120 0.50 1.00 6.66 1 0 0 / / / / 11 Lunsford Jul 08/09 0800-0900 0.94 1.00 6.52 0 0 0 / 0 / / 10 Lunsford 0900-1000 0.95 1.00 6.49 0 0 0 / 0 / / 7 Lunsford 1000-1100 0.92 1.00 6.53 0 0 0 / 0 / / 11 Lunsford 1100-1130 0.44 1.00 6.38 0 0 0 / 0 / / 8 Lunsford Jul 10/11 0410-0600 1.55 1.11 5.46 0 0 0 0 / / / 10 Gramer 0430-0540 1.02 1.04 5.70 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 9 Hall 0540-0650 1.02 1.00 5.70 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 4 Hall 0650-0800 1.05 1.04 5.50 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 8 Hall Jul 13/14 0830-0930 0.87 1.00 6.42 0 0 1 / 0 / / 17 Lunsford 0930-1030 0.89 ---- 6.39 0 0 1 / 1 / / 13 Lunsford 1030-1130 0.92 ---- 6.33 0 0 0 / 0 / / 11 Lunsford The observers were Cathy Hall, Canada; Robert Lunsford and Lew Gramer, USA. Best wishes, Mark Davis MeteorObs@charleston.net Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA Coordinator, North American Meteor Network Assistant Coordinator, ALPO Meteors Section =================================================== Visit the NAMN home page at: http://medicine.wustl.edu/~kronkg/namn.html =================================================== Date: Sun, 03 Aug 1997 13:27:24 +0200 From: Raul Fernandez Sayalero Subject: Rotating shutter Hi. I will be very pleased if somebody tell me where get information about a photographic rotating shutter. Some electronic schemes, in order to control motor speed. Speed recomends, etc. I will wait for you information. Thank you. -- ********************************** * http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ferra * * mailto:ferra@ctv.es * ********************************** Date: Fri, 8 Aug 97 12:05:23 MESZ From: Juergen Rendtel Subject: Perseid maximum data Now we approach the central part of the Perseids. Enough was written about the predicted times of the `traditional' and the `recent' maxima, and I won't repeat this again. In order to get a first rough information about the activity level, and to know whether the `remains of the peak' still exist, we would like the observers to send their raw results of the period August 11 to 13 to visual@imo.net Unfortunately this is the last major shower not spoiled by bright moonlight for a longer period of time. So I wish you good luck with your observations! Juergen Rendtel Date: Thu, 07 Aug 1997 18:05:54 +0200 From: Casper ter Kuile Subject: August 5/6 and 6/7 data Koen Miskotte: his 25000th meteor... >> >>Below two night reports of Koen Miskotte, DMS team Delphinus, the Netherlands. Among them Koen's 25000th meteor since his first serious observations in the early eighties. >> >>-Marco >> >>-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- >> >>Observer: Koen Miskotte (MISKO - KMH) >>Location: Biddinghuizen, the Netherlands, 52d 29' N, 5d 41' E >> >> >>Night 5/6 August, 1997 >> >> >>UT Teff Lm Per d Aqr i Aqr Cap k Cyg Spo >> >>21:23 - 22:30 1.12 6.6 7 3 1 1 3 22 >>22:30 - 23:32 0.95 6.7 11 4 1 0 1 13 >>23:32 - 00:49 1.00 6.7 14 2 1 0 2 14 >>00:49 - 02:05 1.25 6.6 15 2 0 0 1 17 >> >>TOTAL 4.32 <6.6> 47 11 3 1 7 66 135 >> >> >> >>stream -4/ -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >>Sporadics 0 0 0 1 0 6 19 23 13 4 >>Perseids 1 1 2 1 2 6 14 13 5 2 >>d Aquarids 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 4 3 0 >>i Aquarids 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 >>Capricornids 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 >>k Cygnids 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 2 0 >> >> >>Note: This night Koen saw the 25000th meteor of his career! It was a +3 sporadic in Lacerta. >> >>-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >>Night 6/7 August 1997 >> >> >>UT Teff Lm Per d Aqr i Aqr Cap k Cyg Spo >> >>21:16 - 22:03 0.78 6.6 6 0 1 0 0 11 >>22:03 - 23:03 1.00 6.7 14 4 1 1 2 16 >>23:03 - 00:00 0.95 6.7 15 1 0 1 2 18 >>00:00 - 01:00 0.97 6.7 13 3 1 0 1 18 >>01:00 - 02:10 1.00 6.4 16 1 0 0 0 13 >> >>TOTAL 4.70 <6.6> 64 9 3 2 5 76 159 >> >> >> >>stream -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >>Sporadics 0 0 0 5 17 35 17 2 >>Perseids 1 2 3 14 9 19 12 4 >>d Aquarids 0 0 0 1 3 3 2 0 >>i Aquarids 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 >>Capricornids 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 >>k Cygnids 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 >> >>-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- Leonids-'98? A once (twice?) in your lifetime appearance! You can't afford to miss it! Casper ter Kuile, Akker 145, NL-3732 XD, De Bilt, The Netherlands Phone: +31-30-2203170; Fax: +31-30-2202695; GSM: +31-6-54723974 E-mail1: pegasoft@cc.ruu.nl; E-mail2: casper.ter.kuile@rivm.nl WWW: http://www.pi.net/~terkuile/meteors/dms.htm Date: Sun, 10 Aug 1997 17:34:59 +0200 From: Casper ter Kuile Subject: Perseid data August 8/9 MISKO >Date: Sat, 09 Aug 1997 16:22:21 +0200 >To: Meteorobs, dms, meteor-news@imo.net >From: Casper ter Kuile >Subject: Perseid data August 8/9 MISKO >Cc: olga, rainer > > >Below Koen Miskottes data of last night. See my previous mail for an impression of this night. > >-Marco. > >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- > >Observer: Koen Miskotte (MISKO - KMH) >Location: Biddinghuizen, the Netherlands, 52d 29' N, 5d 41' E > >Date: August 8/9, 1997 > >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- >UT Teff LM Per d Aqr i Aqr Cap k Cyg Spo > >21:35 - 22:36 0.95 6.6 7 3 2 1 3 12 >22:36 - 23:30 0.82 6.6 11 4 1 0 1 15 >23:30 - 00:30 1.00 6.8 27 5 1 1 2 14 >00:30 - 01:29 0.98 6.8 44 4 2 1 2 30 >01:29 - 02:17 0.80 6.4 32 4 1 0 0 16 > >TOTAL 4.55 <6.6> 121 20 7 3 8 87 246 >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- > > >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ >Stream -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 > >Sporadics 0 0 0 0 1 10 20 36 15 5 >Perseids 1 1 2 2 5 15 32 37 19 7 >d Aquarids 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 8 7 1 >i Aquarids 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 2 0 >Capricornids 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 >k Cygnids 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 1 3 0 >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ > >Note: after 23:30 UT very clear sky! > > Leonids-'98? A once (twice?) in your lifetime appearance! You can't afford to miss it! Casper ter Kuile, Akker 145, NL-3732 XD, De Bilt, The Netherlands Phone: +31-30-2203170; Fax: +31-30-2202695; GSM: +31-6-54723974 E-mail1: pegasoft@cc.ruu.nl; E-mail2: casper.ter.kuile@rivm.nl WWW: http://www.pi.net/~terkuile/meteors/dms.htm Date: 14 Aug 97 16:55:19 EDT From: Rainer Arlt <100114.1361@compuserve.com> Subject: Perseid Circular 1997 ------------------------------------- I M O S h o w e r C i r c u l a r ------------------------------------- PERSEIDS 1997 The 1997 Perseid peak caused by the new filament of the Perseid stream was predicted for 8h or 9h UT on August 12. Enhanced activity was reported by several observers in North America, significantly above the pre-traditional maximum levels, but lower than in 1996. Highest rates occurred between 8h00 and 8h30 UT corresponding to a solar longitude of 139.70 deg (J2000). The traditional maximum may have peaked over Asian longitudes from where no data have been reported yet. Highest rates from Europe were observed around 0h UT on August 13, at a solar longi- tude of 140.57 deg being unusually late. Hence we may assume that the true traditional maximum occurred in between the American and European observing windows. ARLRA Rainer Arlt (Germany) GURPE Pete Gural (USA) HEELA Lars Trygve Heen (Norway) JOHCA Carl Johannink (Netherlands) KUSRA Ralf Kuschnik (Germany) LANMA Marco Langbroek (Netherlands) LUNRO Robert Lunsford (USA) MCLNO Norman McLeod (USA) MISKO Koen Miskotte (Netherlands) MOLSI Sirko Molau (Germany) PETLA Petersen Lars (Denmark) SOLMA Manuel Solano Riuz (Spain) STOWE Wes Stone (USA) UAA Umpqua Amateur Astronomers of Roseburg, OR (USA) WILBA Barbara Wilson (USA) ZAYGE George Zay (USA) ---------------------------- 1997 Aug UT #Obs #PER ZHR +- ---------------------------- 11 2100 5 132 60 24 11 2200 7 222 58 13 11 2300 6 258 62 19 12 0000 8 344 67 25 12 0130 7 347 74 17 12 0500 4 133 54 3 12 0700 4 121 70 7 12 0800 5 367 128 26 12 0900 7 631 116 47 12 1100 4 358 96 23 12 2130 7 178 66 10 12 2300 7 263 73 19 12 0000 5 256 101 24 12 0045 5 269 77 34 12 0130 5 230 83 27 12 1000 3 139 79 2 ---------------------------- ZHRs were calculated using a population index of r=2.0. The values given are non-weighted averages of '#Obs' observing periods. ZHR errors '+-' are the standard deviation of the average. Note that the ZHR bins are not equidistant. Many thanks to all observers who contributed so quickly to this first activity overview. If you have not yet sent your Perseid logs, we would be very grateful to receive your results. Rainer Arlt, 1997 August 14. --------------------------------- Visual Commission: visual@imo.net IMO Website: http://www.imo.net Date: Sun, 10 Aug 1997 15:15:25 From: c.f.johannink@home.cnt.antenna.nl Subject: life is even more mad then you can dream of Hi everebody, The story below happened a few days ago ... On Thursday evening August 7th., we were busy observing the Perseids on the roof of the Public Observatory Twente in Lattrop, the Netherlands. A journalist and a photographer were present too. They made an article about the Perseids for a regional newspaper. After making some pictures, the photographer left the building. One observer of our group, Rita Verhoef, went with him to close the door again. But at the door were two young people, a boy and a girl. "Could you tell me" asked the boy "the name of the bright star low in the sky there, isn't that Capella?". "You're right" said Rita. "There you are" he sais enthousiastic to the girl next to him, "now you have to sleep with me" (I use here the chasted versi- on, I cannot translate the Dutch slang ...). They left, discussing with each other. Rita closed the door. Giggling, she started observing again, and told us the story. Now we ask ourselves whether they did it 'a Capella' ... The next day these young people could read their story in the newspaper ... Lots of observations and fun for all of you! Carl Johannink -- - C.F.Johannink@home.cnt.antenna.NL - C.F.Johannink - Schiefestrasse 36 - 48599 Gronau Germany - Tel. + 49 2562 22345 -- Date: Thu, 14 Aug 1997 06:31:11 +0200 From: Umberto Mule' Stagno Subject: Perseids aftermath Report: Umberto Mule' Stagno - (MTAHLEB, MALTA) above Cliffs HI! Finally the weather cleared and only water vapour took over, actually improving our situation. Even before the Moon set roughly at 23:50 UT, the Milky Way in Cepheus and Cygnus could be very well made out. Observation started at 00:00 UT (02:00 am Malta Time), August 14th Very slow bright Capricornids made the observers wooo and photographic station jump with amazement and enthusiasm. Perseids were bright and surprisingly PLENTY!!! Limiting Magnitude conditions were constant throughout the 120min. session. The highest Meteor density observed was at 01:15 UT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Observer: Umberto Mule' Stagno (MULUM) Location: MTAHLEB, MALTA 35d 54' N, 14d 24' E Date: August 13/14, 1997 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- UT Teff Lm Per d Aqr i Aqr k Cyg Cap Spo 00:00-02:00 1.95 6.4 72 10 6 7 5 19 TOTAL 1.95 <6.4> 72 10 6 7 5 19 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Stream -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Perseids 3 1 5 4 6 9 10 15 17 1 1 Sporadics 0 0 2 1 3 3 1 2 3 1 1 d Aquarids 0 0 1 0 2 1 2 1 1 2 0 i Aquarids 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 2 0 1 k Cygnids 0 0 0 1 1 3 0 1 0 1 0 Capricornids 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Many regards & Clear Skies... Umberto Mule' Stagno Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 11:19:10 +0100 (BST) From: Neil Bone Subject: Perseids 1997 Another mediocre spell of weather in the southern UK for Perseid maximum, maintaining the dismal pattern of the 1990s so far; surely we're due a bit of better luck! Observations from Apuldram, West Sussex by Neil Bone 50o 49.8'N 0o48.3'W 1997 Aug Start End Teff AvLM F Sp Per Oth Comments 8-9 2200 2242 0.70 5.50 1.00 1 6 1 Ended by fog! 9-10 2155 2255 1.00 5.75 1.00 5 12 0 2255 2355 1.00 5.56 1.00 2 8 1 Hazy interlude. 2355 0055 1.00 5.75 1.00 2 9 2 0055 0155 1.00 5.75 1.00 5 7 2 0155 0255 1.00 5.71 1.00 3 12 1 Dawn approaching 11-12 2255 2355 1.00 5.25 1.14 2 8 0 Patchy altocumulus 2355 0055 1.00 5.25 1.09 2 10 1 Patchy altocumulus 0055 0157 1.00 5.32 1.09 4 12 3 Patchy altocumulus 0157 0257 1.00 5.43 1.00 6 20 0 Dawn approaching 13-14 2255 2355 1.00 5.17 1.00 0 13 1 Moon! 2355 0055 1.00 5.88 1.00 3 23 1 MAGNITUDES SPOR -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Tpot Aug 8-9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 9-10 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 7 2 0 17 11-12 0 0 0 0 3 3 2 3 3 0 14 13-14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 PER -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Tot Aug 8-9 0 0 0 2 0 1 2 0 1 0 6 9-10 0 0 3 4 2 11 12 7 8 1 48 11-12 1 0 2 1 4 11 13 13 5 0 50 13-14 0 0 2 1 3 8 8 9 4 1 36 TRAINS SPOR 3/35 = 8.6% PER 24/140 = 17.1% (Most of the 'Others' were Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids). -"The Harepath", Mile End Lane, Apuldram, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 7DZ, UK. ++44-1243-782679. bafb4@central.sussex.ac.uk 15th August 1997 From ferra@ctv.es Fri Aug 15 16:54:04 1997 Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 14:35:34 +0200 From: Raul Fernandez Sayalero To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: Perseids from Spain [The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] My preliminary results Inter. T.eff F Lm Pers Spo 22.19-23.19 0.78 1 5.4 10 3 23.19-00.34 0.9 1 6.3 13 8 00.38-01.10 0.35 1 6.3 8 3 01.25-02.25 0.53 1 6.3 16 12 02.25-03.25 0.85 1 6.3 17 11 03.25-03.57 0.91 1 6.0 11 4 I was observing at La Muela , Aras de Alpuente (Spain) . Longitude: 1º 7.7' W Latitude: 39º 55'4 N Bye Andres Paños ( Posete ) -- ********************************** * http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ferra * * mailto:ferra@ctv.es * ********************************** Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 14:35:34 +0200 From: Raul Fernandez Sayalero Subject: Perseids from Spain My preliminary results Inter. T.eff F Lm Pers Spo 22.19-23.19 0.78 1 5.4 10 3 23.19-00.34 0.9 1 6.3 13 8 00.38-01.10 0.35 1 6.3 8 3 01.25-02.25 0.53 1 6.3 16 12 02.25-03.25 0.85 1 6.3 17 11 03.25-03.57 0.91 1 6.0 11 4 I was observing at La Muela , Aras de Alpuente (Spain) . Longitude: 1º 7.7' W Latitude: 39º 55'4 N Bye Andres Paños ( Posete ) -- ********************************** * http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ferra * * mailto:ferra@ctv.es * ********************************** Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 14:33:32 +0200 From: Raul Fernandez Sayalero Subject: Perseids from Spain My preliminary results Inter. T.eff F Lm Pers Spo 23.43-00.43 0.9 1 6.4 22 3 00.40-01.40 0.9 1 6.4 37 12 01.40-02.40 0.9 1 6.4 29 11 02.43-03.38 0.8 1 6.3 31 3 I was observing at La Muela, Aras de Alpuente (Spain) . Longitude: 1º 7.7' W Latitude: 39º 55'4 N The sky was almost perfect, with an excelent limiting magnitude. Bye Raul Fernández (FERRA) -- ********************************** * http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ferra * * mailto:ferra@ctv.es * ********************************** Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 16:38:08 +0200 (MET DST) From: IMO-News Operator Subject: IMO-News Netiquette Dear meteor enthusiasts, August is one of the best times for meteor observers. The Perseids peak and observational activities reach their annual maximum. Likewise, we have more traffic via IMO-News than in other months. Even if this is the most exciting time of year, I would like you to pay attention to our list netiquette (to be found at http://www.imo.net/news/imo-news.html). It says that you are not expected to send raw counts of single observers from single nights. Just imagine what happens if all observers would do that. For the subscriber it is much more convinient if you condense your data. You could, for example, post the results of a whole group of observers for one night (possibly including preliminary ZHRs), or the data from a single observer covering a longer time period. It should also be avoided to send private or not meteor related messages to a mailing list with more than 200 subscribers. Finally I want to stress again, that this is not a list for IMO members only. Everybody is invited to send reports / data requests / results that are of interest to our subscribers. Best wishes, Sirko Molau IMO-News Operator Date: Fri, 01 Aug 1997 17:03:50 +0300 From: Moh'd Odeh Subject: Perseids report from Jordan Dear Readers, I'm Moh'd Odeh from the Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS), our society held a camp between 10-13/8 to observe the Perseids meteor shower. Attached is my reports, and later we will send the official report and the other observer's reports. Kind Regards ***************************************************************** Mohammad Odeh Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS) odehjas@geocities.com http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/index.html ***************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Meteor Organization (IMO) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visual Observing Form - Summary Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day:10-11 Month:08 Year:97_ Begin: 20_h46_m End:01__h40_m Location: long. 37x06'35"E latit. 31x43'05"N h=550 m Site: Al-Azraq _________________________________ Country: JORDAN Observer: Mohammad Odeh________________________ IMO code:odemo__ Showers considered: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Shw |alpha|delta| Shw |alpha|delta| Shw |alpha|delta| Shw |alpha|delta| |-------------------------------------------------------------------------| |Per |43 |58 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Period |Field |Teff| F | lm |Per | | ___| ___| ___| ___| ___| ___|Spor| | (UT) |RA Dec| h | | m |M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2046-2218| | |1.52| 1 |6.05|c|21| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|31| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |2218-0024| | |1.93| 1 |6.53|c|23| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|36| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |0024-0140| | |1.25| 1 |6.10|c|22| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|22| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Magnitude data: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Shower |Period|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3| -2| -1| 0 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +4 | +5 |+6 |+7|Total| |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 1 | | | | | | |1 |2 |2 |5 |4 |5 |2 | | | 21 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 2 | | | | |1 | |1 | | |3 |6 |8 |3 | | | 23 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 3 | | | | |1 | | |1 |4 |5 |7 |4 | | | | 22 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |spor | all | | | | 1| |1 | | | |9 |29 |28 |17 | | | 89 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ============================================================================= ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Meteor Organization (IMO) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visual Observing Form - Summary Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day:11-12 Month:08 Year:97_ Begin: 20_h21_m End:01__h35_m Location: long. 37x06'35"E latit. 31x43'05"N h=550 m Site: Al-Azraq _________________________________ Country: JORDAN Observer: Mohammad Odeh________________________ IMO code:odemo__ Showers considered: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Shw |alpha|delta| Shw |alpha|delta| Shw |alpha|delta| Shw |alpha|delta| |-------------------------------------------------------------------------| |Per |44.8 |57.2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Period |Field |Teff| F | lm |Per | | ___| ___| ___| ___| ___| ___|Spor| | (UT) |RA Dec| h | | m |M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |2021-2219| | |1.92| 1 |6.20|c|26| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|47| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |2219-2305| | |0.77| 1 |6.10|c|27| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|48| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |2305-2356| | |0.85| 1 |6.10|c|27| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|34| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |2356-0038| | |0.70| 1 |6.15|c|27| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|50| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |0038-0135| | |0.95| 1 |6.20|c|27| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|47| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Magnitude data: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Shower |Period|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3| -2| -1| 0 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +4 | +5 |+6 |+7|Total| |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 1 | | | | |1 | | | |4 |4 |13 |3 |1 | | | 26 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 2 | | | | | | |1 |2 |2 |7 |7 |5 |2 |1 | | 27 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 3 | | | | | |1 |1 | |5 |7 |5 |6 |2 | | | 27 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 4 | | | |1 |1 |1 | |2 |5 |4 |5 |4 |3 |1 | | 27 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 5 | | | | | | | |2 |1 |5 |5 |11 |3 | | | 27 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |spor | all | | | | 1| | | |1 |2 |4 |22 |37 |23 |3 | | 92 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- =============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Meteor Organization (IMO) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visual Observing Form - Summary Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day:12-13 Month:08 Year:97_ Begin: 18_h46_m End:01__h36_m Location: long. 37x06'35"E latit. 31x43'05"N h=550 m Site: Al-Azraq _________________________________ Country: JORDAN Observer: Mohammad Odeh________________________ IMO code:odemo__ Showers considered: ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Shw |alpha|delta| Shw |alpha|delta| Shw |alpha|delta| Shw |alpha|delta| |-------------------------------------------------------------------------| |Per |47.6 |57.58| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Period |Field |Teff| F | lm |Per | | ___| ___| ___| ___| ___| ___|Spor| | (UT) |RA Dec| h | | m |M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N|M| N| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |1846-2118| | |2.52| 1 |5.45|c|27| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|21| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |2118-2216| | |0.93| 1 |6.20|c|32| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|26| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |2219-2257| | |0.63| 1 |6.15|c|30| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|12| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |2257-2342| | |0.72| 1 |6.15|c|30| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|14| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |2342-0008| | |0.43| 1 |6.15|c|30| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|11| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |0008-0040| | |0.52| 1 |6.15|c|24| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|07| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |0040-0102| | |0.37| 1 |6.15|c|23| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|07| |---------|---|---|----|---|----|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--|-|--| |0102-0136| | |0.57| 1 |6.15|c|31| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |c|10| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Magnitude data: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |Shower |Period|-7|-6|-5|-4|-3| -2| -1| 0 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +4 | +5 |+6 |+7|Total| |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 1 | | | | | | | | 3 |5 |6 |11 |2 | | | | 27 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 2 | | | | | | |1 |4 |3 |8 |4 |8 |4 | | | 32 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 3 | | | | | | |1 |3 |2 |7 |7 |8 |2 | | | 30 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 4 | | | | | |1 | | |9 |1 |2 |10 |6 |1 | | 30 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 5 | | | | | | | | |6 |4 |6 |10 |4 | | | 30 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 6 | | | | | | | |1 |3 |1 |12 |5 |2 | | | 24 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 7 | | | | |1 | | |1 |4 |5 |8 |2 |2 | | | 23 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |per | 8 | | | | | | |1 |1 |2 |5 |11 |10 |1 | | | 31 | |-------|------|--|--|--|--|--|---|---|---|----|----|----|----|----|---|--|----- | |spor | all | | | | |1 | |1 | |3 |16 |36 |32 |18 |1 | | 108 | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ***************************************************************** Mohammad Odeh Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS) odehjas@geocities.com http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/index.html ***************************************************************** Date: Tue, 12 Aug 97 11:25:41 +0200 From: Zoltan Hevesi Subject: P-97. PERSEID OBSERVATIONS IN HUNGARY Local groups' observations of Hungarian Astronomical Association Meteor Section (HAA/MS) 1997. August 11/12. ************************************************************* Observing site: Kaposszentjakab Hungary - 46d 21' N, 17d 51' E, 170 m Observers: HEVESI Zoltan Kaposvar Hungary - HEVZO HEVESI Monika Kaposvar Hungary - HEVMO MIKLOS Terez Kaposvar Hungary - MIKTE Limiting magnitude: Time (UT) 20:00 22:00 00:00 02:00 ------------------------------------------ HEVZO 52 60 62 61 HEVMO 53 62 64 62 MIKTE 50 60 Number of Perseid meteors and sporadics by a person (Per/spo.): Interval (UT) HEVZO HEVMO MIKTE 20:00-20:15 2 / - 2 / - 2 / - 20:15-20:30 1 / - - / - 1 / - 20:30-20:45 - / - - / 3 - / 2 20:45-21:00 1 / - 1 / 1 1 / 1 21:00-21:15 1 / 1 - / 1 - / 1 21:15-21:30 - / - - / 1 - / 1 21:30-21:45 1 / - - / - 1 / - 21:45-22:00 2 / - 2 / 1 2 / 1 22:00-22:15 5 / 1 3 / 2 22:15-22:30 2 / - 3 / - 22:30-22:45 1 / 3 3 / 3 22:45-23:00 5 / 2 4 / 3 23:00-23:15 2 / 2 1 / 3 23:15-23:30 5 / 1 6 / 3 23:30-23:45 2 / - 3 / - 23:45-00:00 7 / 1 6 / 1 00:00-00:15 2 / 2 4 / 3 00:15-00:30 7 / - 10 / 1 00:30-00:45 7 / 2 9 / 1 00:45-01:00 6 / - 5 / 1 01:00-01:15 7 / 3 11 / 2 01:15-01:30 4 / - 4 / 1 01:30-01:45 8 / 1 7 / 2 01:45-02:00 7 / 3 9 / 2 Magnitude distribution: HEVZO: 20:00-23:00 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------- - 1 2 1 2 10 3 2 21 HEVZO: 23:00-02:00 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------- 1 1 9 7 10 20 14 2 65 HEVMO: 20:00-23:00 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------- - 1 3 2 1 8 3 - 18 HEVMO: 23:00-02:00 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------- 1 - 7 9 21 24 12 1 75 MIKTE: 20:00-22:00 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------- - 1 2 1 1 2 7 (Hevesi Zoltan) hev@meteor.zpok.hu Date: 16 Aug 1997 09:57:11 +0900 From: Koseki Masahiro Subject: Perseids 1997 in Japan Mr.Takanashi posted summary report of 1997 Perseids to the NMS-Mailing List ----------Forwarded message From:97/ 8/15 22:32 Masaaki Takanashi Title: [nms 3882] 08/15 Perseids To: nms@iijnet.or.jp --- Weather condition was poor in Japan but some meteor enthusiasts observed Perseids on high mountains, such as Mt.Fuji, or at places where weather forecast suggested. Following results from 24 observers were based on data from limited district, because many observers tended to concentrate in small area. Results indicate that the peak occurred at Aug.12(14h UT) and coincide with Arlt's estimation (IMO-News, Aug.15). Japanese results show smooth connection with IMO's on following graph though each population index is different(IMO;2.0, NMS;1.6). See more details showing at: http://www2j.meshnet.or.jp/~mton/ Data used here are: Received till Aug.15(15 o'clock, JST) Rejected observations: cloudiness>=40%, Teff<30min. Calculation basis: Population index of r=1.6 Zenithal correction coefficient has only two significant figures. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- DATE&TIME DATE&TIME #Obs T.eff #Per AVERAGE S.D. ( Max. : Median: Min. ) (JST) (UT) (min) ZHR ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10/11d 00h 10d 15h 3 118 20 22.9 12.8 ( 37.6 : 16.9 : 14.1) 10/11d 01h 10d 16h 3 214 57 29.8 14.3 ( 42.7 : 32.4 : 14.4) 11/12d 22h 11d 13h 1 33 2 24.6 - ( 24.6 : 24.6 : 24.6) 11/12d 23h 11d 14h 4 236 59 49.6 32.0 ( 93.8 : 41.8 : 21.0) 11/12d 00h 11d 15h 1 50 11 32.7 - ( 32.7 : 32.7 : 32.7) 11/12d 01h 11d 16h 2 120 25 38.0 14.0 ( 47.9 : 38.0 : 28.1) 11/12d 02h 11d 17h 7 360 122 42.4 19.8 ( 65.3 : 32.8 : 18.1) 11/12d 03h 11d 18h 9 411 186 43.1 18.9 ( 85.8 : 37.4 : 24.0) 12/13d 20h 12d 11h 1 64 1 17.9 - ( 17.9 : 17.9 : 17.9) 12/13d 21h 12d 12h 4 212 37 119.2 103.2 (257.4 : 102.9 : 13.5) 12/13d 22h 12d 13h 7 354 112 122.4 100.9 (282.5 : 118.4 : 9.4) 12/13d 23h 12d 14h 9 495 301 134.7 72.9 (271.0 : 142.8 : 47.0) 12/13d 00h 12d 15h 11 560 393 116.2 52.0 (242.6 : 115.2 : 32.2) 12/13d 01h 12d 16h 11 599 518 102.2 56.1 (216.5 : 103.0 : 4.7) 12/13d 02h 12d 17h 12 696 698 104.2 37.9 (177.8 : 99.9 : 21.9) 12/13d 03h 12d 18h 1 40 19 68.4 - ( 68.4 : 68.4 : 68.4) 13/14d 21h 13d 12h 1 75 9 85.8 - ( 85.8 : 85.8 : 85.8) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Observer : K.Osada,T.Hashimoto,M.Oka,K.Izumi,H.Nose,K.Mameta,Hiramatsu, (24observers) Morioka,Ohnishi,K.Satou,D.Itou,M.Suzuki,F.Hayashi,Tomari, H.Takiguchi,S.Nakayama,N.Fukuda,N.Ishiwatari,W.Murakami, M.Toda,Ma.Takanashi,Mi.Takanashi,T.Satomi,S.Yoshida Total T.eff : 4637min. (=77.28h) #Perseids : 2570 TIME(UT) NMS-ML IMONews 0 50 100 150 200 ------- ---*--- ---o--- +---------+---------+---------+---------+ 11d 13h 25 | * 11d 14h 50 | * 11d 15h 33 | * 11d 16h 38 | * 11d 17h 42 | * 11d 18h 43 | * 11d 19h | 11d 20h | 11d 21h 60 | o 11d 22h 58 | o 11d 23h 62 | o 12d 00h 67 | o 12d 01h 74 | o 12d 02h | 12d 03h | 12d 04h | 12d 05h 54 | o 12d 06h | 12d 07h 70 | o 12d 08h 128 | o 12d 09h 116 | o 12d 10h | 12d 11h 18 96 | * o 12d 12h 119 | * 12d 13h 122 | * 12d 14h 135 | * 12d 15h 116 | * 12d 16h 102 | * 12d 17h 104 | * 12d 18h 68 | * 12d 19h | 12d 20h | 12d 21h 66 | o 12d 22h | 12d 23h 73 | o 13d 00h 89 | o 13d 01h 83 | o 13d 02h | 13d 03h | 13d 04h | 13d 05h | 13d 06h | 13d 07h | 13d 08h | 13d 09h | 13d 10h 79 | o 13d 11h | 13d 12h 86 | * *==-- *==-- *==-- *==-- Masaaki Takanashi (NMS, Japan) *==-- --==* --==* --==* --==* QGA00120@niftyserve.or.jp / XTJ97731@biglobe.ne.jp Date: Sat, 16 Aug 97 22:46:00 +0200 From: tepi@mcse.zpok.hu Subject: Hungarian Perseid Results (1) PERSEID OBSERVATIONS IN HUNGARY (1.) Hungarian Astronomical Association Meteor Section (HAA/MS) 1997. August 11/12. ************************************************************* Observing site: D\'ag, Hungary - 47d 40' N, 18d 43' E Observers: Wieszt, Kriszti\'an (D\'ag, Hungary) - WIEKR Farkas, Erzs\'ebet (Esztergom, Hungary) - FARER Kov\'acs, Zsolt (Vecs\'es, Hungary) - KOVZS Nagy, Zolt\'an A. (Budapest, Hungary) - NAGZO Kereszturi, \'Akos (Budapest, Hungary) - KERAK Majnik, Szabolcs (Kaposv\'ar, Hungary) - MAJSZ S\'arneczky, Kriszti\'an (Budapest, Hungary) - SARKR T\'oth, Tam\'as (Budapest, Hungary) - TOTTA Kudor, Gy\:ongyv\'er (Budapest, Hungary) - KUDGY Fodor, Tam\'as (Budapest, Hungary) - FODTO Tepliczky, Istv\'an (Tata, Hungary) - TEPIS (recorder) Limiting magnitude: Time (UT) 22:00 00:00 02:00 ------------------------------------ WIEKR+FARER 60 60 60 KOVZS+NAGZO 60 61 60 KERAK 58 61 60 MAJSZ 62 61 60 SARKR 65 65 62 TOTTA 61 61 60 KUDGY 56 56 56 FODTA 58 58 58 Number of Perseid meteors and sporadics by a person (Per/spo.): Interval (UT) WIEKR+ KOVZS+ KERAK MAJSZ SARKR TOTTA KUDGY FODTA FARER NAGZO 22:00-22:15 9/ 1 3/ - 2/ - 3/ 1 5/ 1 3/ 1 3/ 5 1/ 2 22:15-22:30 10/ 1 3/ 2 7/ 2 3/ 1 5/ 2 6/ 1 4/ 1 8/ 1 22:30-22:45 8/ 1 2/ 3 4/ 4 2/ 3 7/ 2 6/ 1 5/ - 8/ - 22:45-23:00 10/ 4 5/ 2 8/ 2 5/ 4 8/ 4 5/ 3 4/ 2 6/ 1 23:00-23:15 2/ 4 2/ 1 4/ 3 2/ 2 6/ 5 3/ 2 4/ - 3/ 2 23:15-23:30 7/ 2 4/ 2 6/ 2 5/ 1 5/ - 5/ - 5/ 1 6/ 1 23:30-23:45 3/ - 2/ 2 5/ 1 6/ - 5/ - 2/ - 2/ 1 1/ 1 23:45-00:00 6/ 2 5/ 1 7/ 2 4/ 3 5/ 5 4/ 1 2/ 5 8/ 1 00:00-00:15 5/ 4 2/ 2 4/ 4 5/ 4 2/ 2 5/ 1 3/ 1 3/ 1 00:15-00:30 11/ 3 5/ 4 5/ 1 6/ 1 10/ 1 4/ 2 3/ 2 2/ 1 00:30-00:45 10/ 2 6/ 2 6/ 3 6/ 3 6/ 3 6/ 1 5/ 2 2/ 1 00:45-01:00 2/ 6 4/ 5 8/ 4 4/ 1 6/ 5 4/ 6 4/ 4 01:00-01:15 19/ 4 4/ 1 14/ 2 11/ 1 13/ - 12/ 2 16/ 2 01:15-01:30 12/ 1 12/ 2 14/ 2 7/ 2 8/ 3 4/ 3 4/ 1 01:30-01:45 11/ 2 12/ 1 9/2 11/ 3 12/ 1 15/ 1 9/ - 01:45-02:00 12/ 6 7/ 2 17/ 4 13/ 4 9/ 3 13/ 2 7/ 5 Perseid magnitude distribution: WIEKR+ 22:00-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total FARER --------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~ - - 1 5 6 3 10 15 21 8 1 70 WIEKR+ 00:00-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total FARER --------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~ - - - 2 3 9 14 21 32 18 1 110 Mean magnitude: +1.93 KOVZS+ 22:00-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total NAGZO --------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~ - - 1 3 1 2 7 4 11 9 - 39 KOVZS+ 00:00-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total NAGZO --------------------------------------------------- ~~~~~ - - - 2 4 6 7 16 19 11 3 71 Mean magnitude: +2.01 KERAK: 22:00-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - 1 4 - 2 12 7 16 12 3 59 KERAK: 00:00-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - - 4 8 9 18 33 21 4 99 Mean magnitude: +2.34 MAJSZ: 22:00-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - 1 3 - 3 7 9 7 11 2 45 MAJSZ: 00:00-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - - 3 9 9 17 21 16 2 82 Mean magnitude: +2.11 SARKR: 22:00-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - 1 4 1 6 4 13 8 17 8 65 SARKR: 00:00-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - 2 1 12 9 19 15 15 4 80 Mean magnitude: +2.20 TOTTA: 22:00-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - 6 4 3 9 6 9 3 3 43 TOTTA: 00:00-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - 2 2 15 12 15 15 11 6 79 Mean magnitude: +1.77 KUDGY: 22:00-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - 2 4 2 5 8 17 4 1 44 KUDGY: 00:00-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - 2 3 11 9 11 20 5 1 68 Mean magnitude: +1.73 FODTA: 22:00-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - - 6 3 5 7 14 8 - 43 Mean magnitude: +2.02 Comment: Average maximum without bright perseids... ************************************************************* Sincerely, I. Tepliczky HAA/MS tepi@mcse.hu Date: Sat, 16 Aug 97 22:46:33 +0200 From: tepi@mcse.zpok.hu Subject: Hungarian Perseid Results (2) PERSEID OBSERVATIONS IN HUNGARY (2.) 1997. August 11/12. ************************************************************* Observing site: Kaposszentjakab Hungary - 46d 21' N, 17d 51' E, 170 m Observers: HEVESI, Zolt\'an (Kaposv\'ar, Hungary) - HEVZO HEVESI, M\'onika (Kaposv\'ar, Hungary) - HEVMO MIKLOS, Ter\'ez (Kaposv\'ar, Hungary) - MIKTE Limiting magnitude: Time (UT) 20:00 22:00 00:00 02:00 --------------------------------------------- HEVZO 52 60 62 61 HEVMO 53 62 64 62 MIKTE 50 60 Number of Perseid meteors and sporadics by a person (Per/spo.): Interval (UT) HEVZO HEVMO MIKTE 20:00-20:15 2 / - 2 / - 2 / - 20:15-20:30 1 / - - / - 1 / - 20:30-20:45 - / - - / 3 - / 2 20:45-21:00 1 / - 1 / 1 1 / 1 21:00-21:15 1 / 1 - / 1 - / 1 21:15-21:30 - / - - / 1 - / 1 21:30-21:45 1 / - - / - 1 / - 21:45-22:00 2 / - 2 / 1 2 / 1 22:00-22:15 5 / 1 3 / 2 22:15-22:30 2 / - 3 / - 22:30-22:45 1 / 3 3 / 3 22:45-23:00 5 / 2 4 / 3 23:00-23:15 2 / 2 1 / 3 23:15-23:30 5 / 1 6 / 3 23:30-23:45 2 / - 3 / - 23:45-00:00 7 / 1 6 / 1 00:00-00:15 2 / 2 4 / 3 00:15-00:30 7 / - 10 / 1 00:30-00:45 7 / 2 9 / 1 00:45-01:00 6 / - 5 / 1 01:00-01:15 7 / 3 11 / 2 01:15-01:30 4 / - 4 / 1 01:30-01:45 8 / 1 7 / 2 01:45-02:00 7 / 3 9 / 2 Magnitude distribution: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HEVZO: 20:00-23:00 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------- - 1 2 1 2 10 3 2 21 HEVZO: 23:00-02:00 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------- 1 1 9 7 10 20 14 2 65 HEVMO: 20:00-23:00 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------- - 1 3 2 1 8 3 - 18 HEVMO: 23:00-02:00 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------- 1 - 7 9 21 24 12 1 75 MIKTE: 20:00-22:00 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------- - 1 2 1 1 2 7 (Hevesi Zoltan) hev@meteor.zpok.hu Date: Sat, 16 Aug 97 23:09:12 +0200 From: tepi@mcse.zpok.hu Subject: Hungarian Perseid Results (3) PERSEID OBSERVATIONS IN HUNGARY (3.) Hungarian Astronomical Association Meteor Section (HAA/MS) 1997. August 12/13. ************************************************************* Observing site: D\'ag, Hungary - 47d 40' N, 18d 43' E Observers: Farkas, Erzs\'ebet (Esztergom, Hungary) - FARER T\'oth, Tam\'as (Budapest, Hungary) - TOTTA Majnik, Szabolcs (Kaposv\'ar, Hungary) - MAJSZ Kudor, Gy\:ongyv\'er (Budapest, Hungary) - KUDGY Fodor, Tam\'as (Budapest, Hungary) - FODTO Eszenyei, Emese (Tata, Hungary) - ESZEM Tepliczky, Istv\'an (Tata, Hungary) - TEPIS (recorder) Limiting magnitude: Time (UT) 22:00 00:00 02:00 ------------------------------------ WIEKR+FARER 60 60 60 KOVZS+NAGZO 60 61 60 KERAK 58 61 60 MAJSZ 62 61 60 SARKR 65 65 62 TOTTA 61 61 60 KUDGY 56 56 56 FODTA 58 58 58 Number of Perseid meteors and sporadics by a person (Per/spo.): Interval (UT) FARER TOTTA MAJSZ KUDGY FODTA ESZEM 22:15-22:30 8/ - 4/ 1 5/ 1 4/ 1 -/ 2 1/ 2 22:30-22:45 5/ 1 5/ - 6/ - 2/ - 1/ 1 3/ 1 22:45-23:00 2/ 4 3/ 2 6/ 4 3/ - 5/ 1 4/ - 23:00-23:15 6/ 2 6/ 2 5/ - 6/ 2 7/ 2 2/ 1 23:15-23:30 4/ 3 2/ 2 2/ 1 3/ - 6/ - 23:30-23:45 7/ 1 7/ 2 10/ 1 5/ 4 7/ 1 23:45-00:00 6/ 2 4/ - 9/ 1 5/ 1 3/ 2 00:00-00:15 3/ 4 4/ 2 5/ 4 5/ 2 5/ 5 3/ 1 00:15-00:30 4/ 1 5/ 1 3/ 2 6/ - 7/ - 4/ - 00:30-00:45 6/ 6 7/ 1 5/ 1 2/ 3 3/ 1 5/ 2 00:45-01:00 4/ - 3/ 1 2/ 1 4/ - 2/ - 01:00-01:15 10/ 3 8/ 2 8/ 1 4/ - 3/ - 01:15-01:30 3/ 3 5/ - 7/ - 8/ - 3/ 1 01:30-01:45 7/ 4 6/ 2 5/ 2 4/ 1 1/ 1 01:45-02:00 2/ 2 1/ - 6/ 1 8/ - 2/ 1 Perseid magnitude distribution: FARER 22:05-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - - - 2 5 10 8 13 - 38 FARER 00:00-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - 3 2 - 8 9 8 8 1 39 Mean magnitude: +2.38 TOTTA: 22:05-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - - 1 2 7 7 8 5 1 31 TOTTA: 00:00-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - 3 1 3 8 11 9 3 1 39 Mean magnitude: +1.87 MAJSZ: 22:05-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - - 1 2 6 14 11 9 - 43 MAJSZ: 00:00-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - 3 3 3 5 5 14 9 - 41 Mean magnitude: +2.21 KUDGY: 22:05-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - - 1 1 4 9 12 1 - 28 KUDGY: 00:00-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - 2 5 1 3 4 20 6 - 41 Mean magnitude: +2.13 FODTA: 22:05-00:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - - - - 2 4 13 10 - 29 FODTA: 00:00-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - 1 3 - 3 4 6 9 - 26 Mean magnitude: +2.71 ESZEM: 22:05-02:00 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 Total ~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------- - - - 1 1 - 4 5 8 6 - 25 Mean magnitude: +2.36 ************************************************************* Sincerely, I. Tepliczky HAA/MS tepi@mcse.hu Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 11:38:33 +0300 From: Moh'd Odeh Subject: Perseids 1997 Dear Sirs, Attached is the official report of The Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS) for The Perseids 1997, it is written in Winword6, and it can be found in our site at : http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/per.html If you still face problems, kindly let me know. Kind Regards -- ***************************************************************** Mohammad Odeh Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS) odehjas@geocities.com http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/index.html ***************************************************************** Date: Sun, 24 Aug 1997 17:02:22 +0200 From: Raul Fernandez Sayalero Subject: Astro-Record Does anybody know how to get Astro-record program? I 've been trying to get it in ftp.imo.net, but host is unreachable. Thank you -- ********************************** * http://www.ctv.es/USERS/ferra * * mailto:ferra@ctv.es * ********************************** Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 15:44:54 +0200 (MET DST) From: Sirko Molau Subject: Re: Astro-Record Hello Paul, > Does anybody know how to get Astro-record program? > I 've been trying to get it in ftp.imo.net, but host is unreachable. I hope that this is a temporary local problem only! I just tried to access ftp.imo.net, and had no difficulties to download AstroRecord from there. You find it in the /pub/software directory. Alternatively, you could ask the programmer Marc de Lignie (photo@imo.net) directly, if you have further problems contacting our ftp server. Regards, Sirko Molau IMO Webmaster PS: If anybody happens to have regular problems accessing our website or ftp server, please, leave me a short note at webmaster@imo.net I personally never had access problems so far, but that may be different from 'more remote' places. ************************************************************************** * Sirko Molau * __ * * Verbindungsweg 7 * " 2B v 2B " * * D-15366 Hoenow * * * sirko.molau@dlr.de * Shakespeare * * http://www.snafu.de/~smo * * ************************************************************************** Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 21:43:05 -0400 From: Mark Davis Subject: Looking for videos To all you video observers: I was contacted by the television "network" here in the U.S. known as The Learning Channel. Thay are producing a 5 part documentary on manmade and natural disasters that face the planet. One session will be on the threat posed by asteroids, comets, etc. Part of the show will discuss fireballs and meteorites. They are looking for footage of fireballs to use in addition to what they have now (the video from 1972 and from Peekskill). If anyone has some footage that the LC might be interested in, you can contact me via email and I will pass on to you their contact point. Mark Davis, MeteorObs@charleston.net Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA Coordinator, North American Meteor Network Assistant Coordinator, ALPO Meteors Section =================================================== Visit the NAMN home page at: http://medicine.wustl.edu/~kronkg/namn.html =================================================== Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 11:37:02 -0400 From: Rainer Arlt Subject: 2nd IMO Circular: PER 1997 ------------------------------------- I M O S h o w e r C i r c u l a r ------------------------------------- PERSEIDS 1997 -- Second Information After the first circular a rush of observations coming in has made it worthwhile to give another overview of the 1997 Perseid maximum activity. We are very grateful to all the 95 observers from 18 countries who sent in their observations so quickly. The first Perseid peak is distinct with a maximum ZHR of about 150 at a solar longitude of 139.71 to 139.72 degrees. The peak is skew with a steeper increase than decrease. The traditional Perseid maximum is still not represented in this graph; Japanese observers reported highest rates at 14h UT on August 12, corresponding to a solar longitude of 139.93 degrees. Regarding the traditional maximum, E.P. Bus (Netherlands) reported highest radio rates around 18h UT on August 12. The number of reflec- tions was almost twice as high as at 17h and 19h UT. He did not cover the period around 14h UT. A slight increase of visual activity was observed at about 23h30 UT, August 12, solar longitude 140.31 degrees, with ZHRs about 30% above the general trend. The following observers contributed to the ZHR profile below: ABDSA Sana'a Abdo (Jordan) MANTI Tijana Mancic (Yugoslavia) ALNAH Ahmad Alniamat (Jordan) MARJO Jose dos Reis Martins (Portugal) ARLRA Rainer Arlt (Germany) MCLNO Norman McLeod (USA) BAJAL Bajc Alja (Slovenia) MILAN Ana Milovanovic (Yugoslavia) BANAN Ana Bankovic (Yugoslavia) MILIR Iris Miljacki (Yugoslavia) BETFE Felix Bettonvil (Netherlands) MILNI Nikola Milutinovic (Yugoslavia) BONNE Neil Bone (UK) MIOVJ Vjera Miovic (Yugoslavia) BOZNE Nenad Bozinovic (Yugoslavia) MISKO Koen Miskotte (Netherlands) CAJMA Marija Cajetinac (Yugoslavia) MOLSI Sirko Molau (Germany) CEKMI Milan Cekic (Yugoslavia) NEDSA Sasa Nedeljkovic (Yugoslavia) COTUR Uros Cotar (Slovenia) NIKDA Dalibor Nikolic (Yugoslavia) DALHA Hani Dalee (Jordan) ODEMO Mohammad Odeh (Jordan) DE MA Marc de Lignie (Netherlands) ODWIB Ibrahim Odwan (Jordan) DENDE Denda Dejana (Yugoslavia) OLEAR Arkadiusz Olech (Poland) DJOMI Milos Djordjevic (Yugoslavia) OREAR Artjom Oreshonok (Belarus) DONIV Ivan Donik (Slovenia) PANAN Andres Panos (Spain) ENZFR Frank Enzlein (Germany) PAVTA Tamara Pavlovic (Yugoslavia) FERRA Raul Fernandez (Spain) PETLA Petersen Lars (Denmark) FODTA Tamas Fodor (Hungary) PETNA Natasa Petelin (Slovenia) FRIAN Andrea Friebel (Germany) POPMI Mila Popovic (Yugoslavia) GELMA Marcel Geltner (USA) RENAN Andreas Rendtel (Germany) GORRO Roberto Gorelli (Italy) RENIN Ina Rendtel (Germany) GURPE Pete Gural (USA) RENJU Juergen Rendtel (Germany) HADGA Gabi Koschny (Germany) RUDMA Marion Rudolph (Germany) HADMU Muammar Hadidi (Jordan) SARKR Krisztian Sarneczky (Hungary) HAVRO Roberto Haver (Italy) SCHMC Michael Schmidhuber (Germany) HEELA Lars Trygve Heen (Norway) SCURE Rene Scurbecq (Belgium) HEMAL Alaa Hemsy (Jordan) SLAVE Vesna Slavkovic (Yugoslavia) HIRAN Anti Hirv (Estonia) SOLMA Manuel Solano Ruiz (Spain) HRIST Stanka Hribar (Slovenia) STOEN Enrico Stomeo (Italy) HUZRI Richard Huziak (Canada) STOST Stefano Stomeo (Italy) JAAHE Helle Jaaniste (Estonia) STOWE Wes Stone (USA) JOHCA Carl Johannink (Netherlands) TELKH Khaled Tell (Jordan) KACJA Javor Kac (Slovenia) TOTTA Tamas Toth (Hungary) KECSR Srdjan Keca (Yugoslavia) TREMA Manuela Trenn (Germany) KERAK Akos Kereszturi (Hungary) TRIGA Gabrijela Triglav (Slovenia) KNOAN Andre Knoefel (Germany) TRIMI Mihaela Triglav (Slovenia) KONKH Khalil Konsul (Jordan) UAA Umpqua Amat.Astr.Roseburg, OR (USA) KOSDE Detlef Koschny (Germany) VANAA Anne van Weerden (Netherlands) KOSRA Ralf Koschack (Germany) VANER Erwin van Ballegoij (Netherlands) KREAL Alenka Kremzer (Slovenia) VERSU Suzana Veren (Slovenia) KUDGY Gyongyver Kudor (Hungary) VUCMA Marija Vucelja (Yugoslavia) KUSRA Ralf Kuschnik (Germany) WAGBR Bruno Wagner (Germany) LANMA Marco Langbroek (Netherlands) WAGGE Georg Wagner (Germany) LUNRO Robert Lunsford (USA) WESTH Thomas Westphal (Germany) LUTHA Hartwig Luethen (Germany) WILBA Barbara Wilson (USA) MAJSZ Szabolcs Majnik (Hungary) WITGU Gudrun Witzler (Germany) ZAYGE George Zay (USA) ------------------------------- 1997 Time Sollong Aug (UT) (J2000) #Obs ZHR +- ------------------------------- 11 2108 139.25 28 44 8 11 2215 139.30 40 53 8 11 2315 139.34 42 53 8 12 0015 139.38 36 50 8 12 0115 139.42 42 57 9 12 0215 139.46 21 64 14 12 0315 139.50 4 52 26 12 0430 139.55 4 46 23 12 0615 139.62 7 77 29 12 0700 139.65 5 72 32 12 0730 139.67 11 98 30 12 0800 139.69 6 117 48 12 0830 139.71 11 155 47 12 0900 139.73 6 140 57 12 0930 139.75 9 100 33 12 1000 139.77 6 112 46 12 1030 139.79 5 99 44 12 1115 139.82 11 94 28 12 2000 140.17 7 79 30 Only observations Teff<0.9h: 12 2115 140.22 15 72 19 Time Solarlong #Obs ZHR 12 2215 140.26 25 70 14 2250 140.28 5 63+-28 12 2315 140.30 33 73 13 ---\ 2315 140.30 11 80+-24 13 0015 140.34 33 74 13 ---/ 2345 140.32 12 91+-26 13 0115 140.38 32 69 12 0015 140.34 10 63+-20 13 0215 140.42 21 77 17 13 0430 140.51 3 61 35 13 0745 140.64 5 53 24 13 1020 140.74 14 68 18 ------------------------------- The individual ZHRs are calculated with a population index r=2.0 and a zenithal exponent of 1.0. The time is the middle of an averaging bin, the solar longitude given belongs to this time and is for J2000. The error is derived from the size of the ZHR sample by +-=ZHR/sqrt(#Obs). #Obs is the number of individual ZHRs contributing to the average. Rainer Arlt, 1997 September 2. --------------------------------- Visual Commission: visual@imo.net IMO Website: http://www.imo.net Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 17:43:25 +0200 (MDT) From: Sirko Molau Subject: volunteers wanted The following announcement was communicated by Z. Ceplecha from Ondrejov Observatory, Czech Republic: =================================================================== Volunteers wanted ----------------- A consortium with particular interest in very large bolide events wishes to establish contacts world-wide with persons having similar interests. Aim is to create a network for timely reporting and dissemination of information of such events. Volunteers should be well-connected to event-reporting sources within their country, and preferably should be capable of travelling quickly to any event locale to gather eyewitness statements and other data. The consortium plans to equip each selected volunteer with the necessary tools, procedures and training to permit rapid and accurate data gathering. Participants will be quickly notified of probable large bolide events detected by satellite sensors, seismic arrays, or other remote technique. In return, volunteers would be expected to provide similar rapid notification to the network filter center. Persons interested in participating in this endeavor may contact any of the following: R.E. Spalding, Org. 5909, MS 0978, Sandia National Laboratories, P.O.Box 5800, Albuquerque, NM 87185, USA e-mail: respald@sandia.gov tel.: (505) 844-5934 Z. Ceplecha, Astronomical Observatory, 25165 Ondrejov, The Czech Republic e-mail: ceplecha@asu.cas.cz tel.: (420) (204) 620122 P. Brown, Dept. of Physics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada e-mail: peter@danlon.physics.uwo.ca tel.: 519-679-2111 x6458 I.V. Nemchinov, Institute for Dynamics of Geospheres, Russian Academy of Sciences, 38 Leninsky pr. (build. 6), 117979 Moscow, Russia e-mail: ivvan@idg.chph.ras.ru tel.: (095) 939-79-05 =================================================================== Date: Sat, 13 Sep 1997 14:34:58 +0100 From: alex Subject: delta aurigids I watched the imo calendar for 1997. I could obtain the location of the radiant for the delta aurigids meteor shower. I also obtained that the position was close to delta perseii, instead of being next to delta aurigae. Is it accurate..? Could you help..? I am not completely sure of my results. Bye. Andres Rafael Panos Moya (PANAN). Posete. -- .* * * * * * * soldevil@ctv.es www.ctv.es/USERS/soldevil/goev.htm Date: Mon, 15 Sep 1997 13:20:50 +0200 (MDT) From: Sirko Molau Subject: IMC Contributions Dear friends, as you probably know, we will have the 'International Meteor Conference' (IMC) in Yugoslavia from September 25 to 28 (see http://www.imo.net/news/imc.html for more details). This is the place, where active meteor observers from different coutries discuss their current observations, latest results and plans for the future. Unfortunately, the majority of meteor observers around the world cannot participate in the IMC, since the travel costs to Europe are too high. However, you still have the chance to contribute a poster and become at least a 'passive' participant that way. If you have not made any personal arrangements so far, I invite you to send your poster as a printer ready file (preferrably Postscript) to webmaster@imo.net before Monday next week (Sep 21). It will be printed out at a b/w laser printer and put to the poster walls in Petnica. So all IMC participants can read your contribution, discuss about it, and contact your privately after the conference. Sirko Molau IMO Webmaster ************************************************************************** * Sirko Molau * __ * * Verbindungsweg 7 * " 2B v 2B " * * D-15366 Hoenow * * * molau@informatik.rwth-aachen.de * Shakespeare * * http://www.snafu.de/~smo * * ************************************************************************** Date: Wed, 24 Sep 1997 16:59:16 +0200 (MDT) From: Sirko Molau Subject: Access Statistics of IMO's WWW Site Hello all of you, in preparation of the IMC '97 I had a close look at the log files of IMO's WWW site. I analysed in detail, which information was requested from where at what time. Since some of you are regular visitors, you might be interested in the results, which are now available at http://www.imo.net/stats I would be interested to hear whether you agree with my findings and what suggestions you have to improve the pages. Don't hesitate to contact me if there is anything you would like us to change or add to the homepage. Regards, Sirko Molau webmaster@imo.net PS: If you come to Petnica, don't look at the page now. I will present you the paper next weekend! ;-) Date: 04 Oct 1997 18:26:00 +0200 From: Andre Knoefel Subject: METEOROIDS 1998 First Announcement METEOROIDS 1998 =============== A meeting to be held in Tatranska Lomnica, Astronomical Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences August 16-22, 1998 The topics include: - Structure and evolution of meteoroid streams, the sporadic background - Associations with meteoroid parent bodies - Physics and chemistry of meteors / meteoroids / meteorites - Interplanetary particles and cosmic dust, proporties and dynamics - Leonid meteor stream - Observationnal programs (optical, radar, onboard) Scientific Organizing Committee: W.J. Baggaley (Chairman), P.B. Babadzhanov, O.I. Belkovich, Z. Zeplecha, G. Cevolani, B.A.S. Gustafson, A. Hajduk, I. Hasegawa, R.L. Hawkes, I. Mann, J. Jones, B.A. Lindblad, V. Porubcan, M. Simek, I.P. Williams To receive further announcements or for additional information, please contact Vladimir Porubcan at the address Astronomical Institute SAV Dubravska 9 84228 Bratislava Slovakia tel.:421-7-375157 fax:421-7-375157 e-mail: astropor@savba.savba.sk ====================== CUT =============== CUT ============================== METEOROIDS 1998 Tatranska Lomnica, Slovakia, August 16-22, 1998 RESPONSE FORM NAME: INSTITUTION: MAILING ADDRESS: Phone: Fax: E-mail: POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION TITLE: Please, indicate your intent to participate in the meeting (definitely, probably) and the number of accompanying persons. Answers are not binding, but assist us in planing. Note that further information about the program and accommodation arrangement will be sent only to those returning form. Please, copy the form and give it to anyone who might be interested but did not receive it. The filled in form send to Astronomical Institute SAV Dubravska 9 84228 Bratislava Slovakia tel.:421-7-375157 fax:421-7-375157 e-mail: astropor@savba.savba.sk DEADLINE: December 15, 1997. We would appreciate your prompt answer. NOTES: Date: Mon, 06 Oct 1997 23:13:57 -0500 From: Jim Richardson Subject: WG-PACM Alert: October 8 Draconids The following notice was circulated to members of the IAU C-22 Working Group on Professional-Amateur Collaboration in Meteor Science (WG-PACM) by Peter Jenniskens, the WG chair: October 8 Draconids. An interesting event, coming up October 8, is the Draconid meteor shower. Comet Giacobini-Zinner, the parent, is expected to return to perihelion in 1998. In the past, some meteor outbursts have been reported when Earth was before the comet and outside of the comet orbit. It is not clear if any Draconid activity will occur this year, but the return asks for close monitoring. The Earth will pass the orbit of the comet at 15h UT on October 8. Of particular interest are: - flux and magnitude distributions in the days around that time - flux and magnitude distributions in the hours around that time - orbits: precise orbital elements of Draconid meteoroids - fragmentation: video imaging of the trails at high spatial resolution The stream is a target of ongoing studies of meteor outburts at NASA/Ames Research Center. Contact: Peter Jenniskens (peter@max.arc.nasa.gov) -------------------- While observers in the western Pacific and Asia will be the most favored for this potential activity, all observers are encouraged to monitor for activity from the shower over the next night or two. Thank you, Jim Richardson James Richardson Graceville, Florida richardson@digitalexp.com Operations Manager / Radiometeor Project Coordinator American Meteor Society (AMS) http://www.serve.com/meteors/ Date: Wed, 08 Oct 1997 20:11:22 +0100 From: Ivan Goethals Subject: PR: Program to process meteor observations During summer vacation I've been writing a program to process meteor-observations. The program automatically generates the visual-observing-form, the meteor-data-form, and the visual-meteor-train-observing -form for observations of up to 10 observers observing 8 showers. You can enter, store, retrieve and process your observation-data with this program easily. It'll save you a lot of work. http://www.student.kuleuven.ac.be/~m9607566/metcomp.htm E-mail: igoe@kagi.com Ivan Goethals Date: Mon, 13 Oct 1997 23:23:17 -0500 From: Jim Richardson Subject: A New Direction for the AMS A NEW DIRECTION FOR THE AMERICAN METEOR SOCIETY James Richardson - AMS Operations Manager Introduction: For more than a year now, i have dreamed of finding a way to bring the fractionated American amateur meteor science community back together again in a cooperative effort. The vision of all of us working together, rather than against each other, seemed a very worthwhile goal to strive for. I began discussing this idea with David Meisel in the spring of this year, and over the following months we worked to develop this vague concept into a workable proposition. During that time, we also solicited input from all of the AMS staff and our advisors, as well as taking a hard, serious look at the criticisms raised about our organization in the past. In response to these reflections, all of us worked hard over the course of this year to place the AMS house once again in order, and by the fall we believed that the time had come to open our doors. On September 30, 1997, the American Meteor Society staff offered an extensive proposal (outlined below) to the leaders of the other American meteor organizations. After two weeks of deliberation and discussion, we are pleased to announce that the proposal has been accepted by all parties involved., This is what we have accomplished: ** Expansion of the AMS staff such that it includes all of those amateurs who are making a significant contribution to the American meteor science community: bringing to bear their talent, their enthusiasm, and their expertise in a cooperative effort. ** Fulfillment of the aims of the AMS Charter by serving as an umbrella and support organization for all American meteor organizations and sections: providing research, publication, and archive resources; offering staff assistance and limited funding; and opening up additional avenues for professional-amateur collaboration and communication. ** Initiation of a much higher level of copporation between the American Meteor Society and the International Meteor Organization, including the establishment of a formal data exchange program. To elaborate on each of these: 1. Expansion of the AMS Staff We believe that the American meteor science community as a whole will benifit greatly from having all of the prominent amateur leaders in this field working together in a cooperative and common spirit. To this end, we have created the following staff positions: * Robert Lunsford, AMS International Liaison As the official representative of the IMO in North America, we have asked Robert if he will expand his duties to include acting as the official liaison between the American Meteor Society and the International Meteor Organization. Through Robert, we would like to achieve a high level of cooperation with the IMO in the conduct of such projects as global meteor shower monitoring, along with other areas where international coordination is desired. Through Robert, we have also begun to establish a formal data exchange program with the IMO. * Mark Davis, AMS Assistant Visual Program Coordinator Mark has proven his desire and talent at encouraging and coordinating visual observer activities. It has pleased us greatly to have Mark combine forces with Norman McLeod for the purpose of producing an active, continent wide network of amateur visual observers for the purpose of monitoring both sporadic and shower activity,, utilizing the most up to date professional level techniques. This will include the encouragement of visual observers both on and off the Internet, and will encompass all skill levels from beginners to advanced. Duties will also include assisting in the collection, distribution, and archiving of visual data: with the specific goal of helping the AMS to shift over to more modern electronic techniques. It is also planned to begin conducting amateur level analysis of collected visual data, publishing results in the new AMS Journal. * Lewis Gramer, AMS Assistant Electronic Information Coordinator We have also asked Lewis if he would serve as an assistant to Jim Bedient in coordinating and managing AMS Internet and other electronic media activities. The great success of the NAMN is due, in large part, to Lewis' efforts and expertise. Our goal is to utilize the Internet and other information technologies to the best advantage for the American meteor science community, and we believe that bring the talent of both of these individuals together will benefit all of us. 2. Expandsion of the support functions for the AMS: As a modestly endowed, non-profit organization, our AMS charter gives us the aim of supporting and encouraging meteor science organizations and activities. Toward the end of fulfilling this support role, and helping to unite the American meteor science community across organizational lines, we have successfully invited the following organizations to join with the AMS as affiliated groups: * Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) Meteors Section * North American Meteor Network (NAMN) * New Jersey Astronomical Association (NJAA) Meteors Section Each of these groups will continue to function autonomously, and their members will not be forced to join the AMS (see AMS Bulletin No. 200 on Affiliate Groups). Our overall aim in asking these groups to affiliate with us is to bring together our various groups in the spirit of cooperation for our mutual benefit, while continuing to preserve each organization's unique character and emphasis. 3. Formal association and cooperation with the International Meteor Organization (IMO): The time has come for the American Meteor Society to form an active, cooperative, and mutually beneficial working relationship with the International Meteor Organization. Such a relationship would permit all AMS members and affiliates to contribute and participate on the global scale, especially in those areas which utilize visual observations. The cornerstone of this new level of cooperation will be a formal data exchange program between the AMS and IMO, as explained previously. In addition to data exchange, the AMS will encourage its visual observers to adopt professionally accepted standards for data collection, and to participate in programs for the global monitoring of meteor showers and meteor shower outbursts. In order to support current AMS research interests, we would ask that visual observers in all organizations be encouraged to collect data for sporadic meteor studies, especially during those hours and days which are not frequently covered through visual observation. Conclusion: We are very sincere and serious in this effort to finally bring the American meteor science community together into an active, cooperative group. It will be especially gratifying to bring this about in preparation for the upcoming approach of comet Temple-Tuttle, as well as the beginning of the next century. We believe that this new direction for the AMS represents a grand opportunity to pool our various resources and talents to the best possible advantage for the American meteor science community. I would like to personally thank all of these individuals and groups for joining forces with us to build the best American Meteor Society ever! Jim James Richardson Graceville, Florida richardson@digitalexp.com Operations Manager / Radiometeor Project Coordinator American Meteor Society (AMS) http://www.serve.com/meteors/ Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 12:33:30 -0400 From: Rainer Arlt <100114.1361@compuserve.com> Subject: First Analysis of 1997 Perseids A first global analysis of 26,000 Perseids seen in 1997 is given under http://www.imo.net/news/per97.html The analysis shows the new Perseid peak at a solar longitude of 139.72, the traditional maximum at ~140.0 deg and an additional period of enhanced activity after the traditional peak, around 140.32 deg (all solar longitudes are J2000). Rainer Arlt --------------------------------- Visual Commission International Meteor Organization email: visual@imo.net Homepage: http://www.imo.net --------------------------------- Date: Mon, 20 Oct 1997 00:41:07 -1000 From: Jim Bedient Subject: The 1997 North American Leonid Meteor Watch -----------------------American Meteor Society, Geneseo, NY -----------------------NEWS RELEASE -----------------------October 20, 1997 The 1997 North American Leonid Meteor Watch James Richardson - AMS Operations Manager Graceville, Florida Richardson@digitalexp.com James Bedient - AMS Electronic Information Coordinator Honolulu, Hawaii jamesbed@hcc.hawaii.edu Since the last Leonid meteor storm in 1966, meteor observers and scientists have been eagerly awaiting the next approach of Comet Temple-Tuttle, the parent body of the Leonid meteor stream, in hopes of witnessing another such event. In March of this year, University of Hawaii astronomers K. J. Meech, O. R. Hainaut and J. Bauer used the Keck II 10 meter reflector atop Mauna Kea to recover Comet Temple-Tuttle, now headed toward the inner solar system on its 33-year orbit, and the meteor science community is gearing up to study the November Leonid maximum. Though the comet will not reach perihelion until February 28, 1998, the Leonid meteor stream associated with this comet has already given meteor observers enhanced displays in 1994, 1995 and 1996. This year, despite the bright gibbous moon which will be present, professional and amateur meteor scientists in North America will be watching closely as the Leonids reach maximum, predicted for Monday morning, November 17, 1997, at 1335 UTC. This timing (5:45 am PST) favors visual observers in Western N. America and the Pacific. In addition to the "classical" peak, which is characteristically rich in bright, trained meteors, observations from the past two years have hinted at a newer, fainter concentration of particles occurring a few hours prior to the normal shower peak. Professional astronomers in North America will observe the Leonids from widely separated geographic locations. From Waterloo, Canada and Edwards AFB, California, meteor scientists James Jones and Peter Brown (University of Western Ontario) will be conducting extensive back-scatter radar observations -- including the testing of a mobile meteor radar. Video observations from Edwards and an airborne observatory will be coordinated by Robert Hawkes (Mt. Allison University). Collaborator Ray Russell will be attempting visual and infrared meteor spectroscopy from the airborne platform. Peter Jenniskens (NASA / Ames Research Center) and his associates will be organizing both visual and photographic campaigns at Edwards AFB, in addition to attempting to make telescopic meteor train observations from facilities in Chile. In the Caribbean, John Mathews and David Meisel, along with a team of other scientists from Cornell, Penn State and SUNY-Geneseo will be using the Arecibo Radio Telescope in Puerto Rico to sample the faint component of the Leonid stream using a narrow-beam back-scatter technique. The Arecibo dish is fortunately situated such that the Leonid radiant will pass directly through the radar beam very close to the time of predicted shower maximum. An array of LIDAR and optical instruments will be monitoring the Leonids at Arecibo as well. On the amateur side, the American Meteor Society will coordinate visual observations from diverse locations as far east as Halifax, Nova Scotia, and as far west as Oahu, Hawaii. Using the combined forces of observers from the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO), Meteor Group Hawaii (MGH), North American Meteor Network (NAMN), New Jersey Astronomical Association (NJAA), and our regular AMS observers, the Society will cover nearly a quarter of the northern hemisphere. The bright waning gibbous moon will be high in the sky at the time of radiant rise near local midnight, but Leonid rates should continuously improve through the night as the moon sets and the radiant rises. Visual observers are encouraged to utilize a building or other nearby object to make observations from the moon's shadow. In addition to visual observations, the three operational stations of the AMS Radiometeor Project (Florida, California, and Maryland) will also be collecting forward-scatter data continuously throughout the Leonid period. Despite the irritating moonlight, all observers are encouraged to help us to keep a close watch on the Leonids this November 17th. For future planning here are the predicted times of greatest Leonid meteor activity in 1998 and 1999: 1998: Peak date / time, November 17, 1945 UTC Most favored area: Asia. Moon phase: New Moon, 28 days 1999: Peak date / time, November 18, 0150 UTC Most favored areas: Eastern Atlantic, Europe, Africa, Asia. Moon phase: Waxing Gibbous Moon, 9 days END Date: Sat, 01 Nov 1997 01:12:29 -0600 From: Jim Richardson Subject: WG-PACM Alert: Beta Cygnids Nov. 1-8 Alert from the IAU C-22 Pro-Am Working Group: ================================================================= Peter Jenniskens Chairman - IAU C-22 Pro-Amat Working Group e-mail: peter@max.arc.nasa.gov **Beta Cygnids Nov. 1-8** Below is another alert to possible unusual meteor activity. Please observe this event if possible in the hope of documenting a meteor outburst. On November 3, 1997, the Earth will pass close to the orbit of comet 103P/Hartley 2. That orbit used to pass just within the Earth's orbit back in the return of 1991 and now will pass just outside the Earth's orbit. At face value, the minimum distance (+0.040 AU) will be too large to have any reasonable expectation of meteor activity associated with this comet. However, comet and meteoroids do not change their orbit in the same manner. There is a chance, perhaps, that the meteoroids 49 days in front of the comet are less perturbed than the comet itself and intersect the Earth's orbit. However, there is no indication that we might expect high rates. Instead, we hope for a recognizable signature of the stream, some level of activity that can provide information as to how meteoroid streams are perturbed when the comet orbit changes strongly. The Earth will pass closest to the comet's orbit near perihelion on Nov. 3 at 0.9 hours UT (solar longitude 220.681 -J2000) rather than at the comet's descending node on Nov. 2 at 7.1 hours UT. Conditions are excellent, with only a sliver of a Moon early in the evening. Don Yeomans at JPL calculated an apparent radiant position at approximately RA = 295.6, DEC = +31.3 degrees (J2000), not far from beta-Cygnus. That is quite a bit higher in declination than a previous radiant calculated by Hasegawa for the 1985 orbit: RA = 290, DEC = +7 [4], illustrating the change in orbit. The present orbit extends the interval that northern hemisphere observers can view the stream. The meteors should enter at an apparent velocity of only about 17 km/s. What are the chances that there will be a meteor outburst (even if only one meteor per hour)? Yeomans calculated that the Earth will lead the comet to this close approach point by 49 days. That is very little. But the separation distance will be some 0.04 AU with the Earth just outside the comet's orbit, which is very large. It will depend on how the dust in front of the comet is perturbed whether we will see any meteor activity at all. Moreover, calculations by Mark Matney of Johnson Space Center show that the most recent dust may not have spread far enough along the comet orbit for Earth to be able to meet it 49 days in front of the comet. This is not a certain conclusion, because the difference is only a factor of two in time. However, it is clear that we should not put our expectations too high. Also, the problem is that the time of nearest passage does not need to be the time that we cross the dust sheet. The comet has an orbit at a shallow 13.6 degree angle with the ecliptic (was 9.3 degrees before the disturbance). A small deviation of the main dust sheet relative to the comet orbit can lead to a significantly different time of the event. In principle, the window of opportunity stretches from the time of passing the comet node on November 2 at 07.1h UT, until at least the point of nearest passage to the comet orbit on November 3 at 00.9h UT, while probably extending several days after that until a point in time closer to the node of the previous orbit (Nov. 8). The duration of the outburst depends on the thickness of the dust sheet and the path of the Earth through the stream. If we only account for the inclination of the orbit, then the duration of the event, the time between activity levels of 14% of peak activity, will be of order 5 - 8 hours, based on the thickness of the dust sheets responsible for the Andromedids, iota-Draconids, October Draconids and Puppids, which are all very similar. It is clear that such relatively short period of activity coupled with a very uncertain time of maximum needs global monitoring. There may also be some low level activity that extends over many days. Any meteor activity of slow meteors from the beta-Cygnid radiant is an interesting clue to learning how meteor streams are perturbed when the comet orbit is strongly changed. The comet itself may reach magnitude +8 shortly after passing perihelion on December 21. Orbital elements calculated by Kenji Muraoka, finding charts and a predicted brightness evolution can be found at the website: http://www.info.waseda.ac.jp/muroaka/members/seiichi/comet/catalog/0103P/199 7.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributed by: James Richardson Graceville, Florida richardson@digitalexp.com Operations Manager / Radiometeor Project Coordinator American Meteor Society (AMS) http://www.serve.com/meteors/ Date: Sat, 01 Nov 1997 00:38:00 -0600 From: Jim Richardson Subject: Charles P. Olivier Award ================================================================= The American Meteor Society, Ltd. Charles P. Olivier Award The American Meteor Society is a non-profit scientific organization established for the purpose of conducting, coordinating, and encouraging amateur-professional collaboration in meteor astronomy. As a result of a modest endowment from the Clinton B. Ford estate in 1993, the society wishes to regularly recognize those amateur astronomers who have made a meritorious contribution to the field of meteor science. The Charles P. Olivier Award will consist of a plaque and modest cash prize, awarded annually by the American Meteor Society Board of Directors. Recipients will be officially recognized in the Society's Annual Report, along with other AMS printed and electronic publications. The nominating procedure and criteria for receipt of the Charles P. Olivier Award are as follows: 1. The recipient must be an amateur worker in the field of meteor science, and not professionally employed in the field. Questions regarding this "amateur" status will be resolved by the AMS Board of Directors. 2. The recipient need not be an American Meteor Society affiliate or associate. 3. AMS officers, that is, members of the Board of Directors or Operations Staff, are not eligible for this award. Affiliate group directors may be considered only if they do not hold titled positions within the staff. 4. Nominations for the Charles P. Olivier Award may be made only by American Meteor Society associates, affiliates, or officers. Persons may not nominate themselves. 5. Nominations should consist of a one-page written description of the nominee's meritorious service and reasons why they should receive the award. Nominations will be received in either electronic or printed format by the AMS Operations manager. 6. Nominations will be received during the last quarter of each calendar year, beginning October 1. Deadline for nominations will be December 31. 7. Nominations will be reviewed by the AMS staff and professional advisors. Following review, nominations will be presented to the Board of Directors for decision. 8. The AMS Board of Directors will announce the Charles P. Olivier Award winner during the first quarter of the year following nomination submissions. The decision will be rendered no later than March 31. 9. If no suitable nominee is found, the Board of Directors will retain the ability to forgo making the award. 10. No one may receive the award more than once. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Send nominations to: James Richardson AMS Operations Manager Route 2, Box 118 Graceville, FL 32440 Email: richardson@digitalexp.com ================================================================= James Richardson Graceville, Florida richardson@digitalexp.com Operations Manager / Radiometeor Project Coordinator American Meteor Society (AMS) http://www.serve.com/meteors/ Date: Sat, 8 Nov 1997 21:06:50 +0100 (MET) From: Sirko Molau Subject: possible moderate outburst from Monoceros Josep Trigo (Spain) reported the following observation of unusual meteor activity on the morning of Nov. 7. A recent discussion with Austrian and American observers seems to indicate, that unusual activity was reported at a similar time by forward scatter radio observation (Werfried Kuneth, Austria). It might as well be that remaining activity was observed from North America a few hours later (Bob Lunsford, USA), even though the plots still have to be examined in detail. Please, report any positive or negative observing report from the time in question (visual, radio) to IMO (visual@imo.net) for further investigation of this possible outburst. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- MODERATE OUTBURST FROM MONOCEROS IN NOVEMBER 7th During the night of November 6/7 observe the primary activity of Leonids shower I have been surprised with hight activity radianting from Monoceros. In four minutes were seen five meteors radianting from this radiant in a aproximate position of RA: 111=B0 Dec: +9. The meteors were very faint except for a -2 meteor. During a hour of efective time were observed 12 "monocerotids" meteors. The sky was cloudy after the 5h 20 m UT Observer: Josep M=AA Trigo i Rodriguez (IMO CODE: TRIJO) Dept. Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Val=E8ncia SOMYCE, GEA=20 Observing site: Benic=E0ssim, Castell=F3, Spain Longitude: 0=B0 02' 19'' Latitude: 40=B0 01' 22'' N , Altitude: 10 meters. Imo Code: New number of 1995 Observing methode: plotting Center Field of view: A.R=3D 120=B0 Dec=3D +15=B0 NOVEMBER 7th 1997 (U.T.) NUMBER OF METEORS Intervall Teff F Lm MON. LEO S.TAU N.TAU Spor TOT 0417-0525 1.08 1.06 6.30 12 4 1 1 3 21 MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION Magnitude -2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Trained TOT Monocerotids 1 0 0 1 1.5 3 4.5 1 2 12 Leonids 0 0 0 0 1.5 1.5 0.5 0.5 0 20 North Taurids 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 09 South Taurids 0 0 0 0.5 0.5 0 0 0 0 1 Sporadics 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 3 Date: Thu, 13 Nov 97 11:39:30 MEZ From: Juergen Rendtel Subject: Leonids 1997 L E O N I D S 1 9 9 7 The message below was sent by Joe Rao to meteorobs. The information, however, is of interest for all observers, so we repeat it here. I just changed the times to UT. > On Monday morning, November 17th, the Leonid meteors are scheduled to reach > maximum. This year is particularly interesting, in that the parent comet of > this particular meteor swarm -- 55P/Tempel-Tuttle -- is due to arrive at its > perihelion on February 28th of next year. Because of these circumstances, > there has been some discussion about the possibility that a meteor storm > "could" occur. In some ways, the upcoming Leonid shower does indeed bear a > similarity to the comet-Earth geometry that accompanied the Great Leonid > Meteor Storm of 1799, which was observed from Peru by the Prussian scientist > and explorer, Alexander von Humboldt. > > In that particular case, the Earth led the comet to the descending node by > 116.9 days. Similarly, this year, the comet follows Earth to the node by 108 > days. > > However. . . the respective orbits are much farther apart in 1997 as opposed > to 1799. . . the difference being 0.0048 a.u. or approximately 718,000 > kilometers. Thus, the odds of a storm are greatly reduced. > > Nonetheless, it will certainly be worthwhile to keep a careful watch for any > potentially unusual meteor activity; with the parent comet so close to its > nodal crossing point, there is always the possibility of a brief outburst of > activity. . . and/or some unusually brilliant fireballs or bolides. Last > year, reports received indicated meteors that left luminous trains for in > excess of five minutes. One especially brilliant meteor seen over the Canary > Islands, left a trail that lingered for nearly 30 minutes! > > There are two specific time frames to be especially alert to. One is > when the Earth crosses the comet's node, which is to occur at 13:34 UT > on Monday. [...] > > The other time frame is 10:40 UT. > This corresponds to the moment when the Earth will be passing that part of > 55P/Tempel-Tuttle's orbit which produced the epic meteor storm of 1966. > According to Mr. Peter Brown of the International Meteor Organization (IMO) > some slight enhanced activity has been noted near this region of space during > the last two Leonid showers. It will be interesting to see if anything > unusual is again noted this year when the Earth once again encounters this > region of space. > > The major drawback of this year's Leonids will be the bright light of the 89% > waning gibbous Moon, which will positioned near Orion's upraised club -- > roughly 55 degrees west of the Leonid radiant. No doubt a large number of > faint meteors will be washed-out by the Moonlight, but with the hope of > sighting some bright fireballs and bolides, it may still be worthwhile to get > out and observe. Some may use the Moon as an excuse not to get out and > observe, but this year's Leonids may be worth the effort. > > Meteors appear to fan-out from the "Sickle" of Leo. The Sickle rises out of > the east-northeast around midnight and is high toward the south-southeast by > dawn. If you do go out and observe, we'd sure like to hear about what you've > seen. Good Luck! > > Joe Rao > Skywayinc@aol.com > Obervations under moonlit conditions are normally not recommended. However, a reliable information about the time and (approximate) strength of the Leonid maximum a year ahead of a major peak is of great interest. In order to reduce the bad influence of the Moon, arrange your place in such a way that it is somewhere behind a building or something else. This is difficult as long as the Moon is high in the sky, but easier towards the morning. Reports should be split in 15...20 minute intervals. Clear skies and Good Luck! Jurgen Rendtel IMO President Date: Mon, 17 Nov 1997 19:10:28 +0100 From: Casper ter Kuile Subject: Impression Dutch DMS teams LEO 16/17 Dear Everybody, We have tried a campaign on the night of 16/17, both visual and multistation photographic, in the Dutch/German border area. Though not the entire night, we have been able to observe. Below our impressions Team 1 (Koen Miskotte, Carl Johannink and Jos Nijland) was at Lattrop public observatory in the easternmost part of the Netherlands and could observe for two hours from about 0:15 to 2:30 UT Team 2 (Robert Haas and me (=Marco Langbroek)) made a 'grand tour' through norteast Netherlands and parts of Germany, tried to find a location without haze and stratus. We found it near Meppen, only just over the Dutch/German border (but it later turned out that it had been better if we had gone some 30-50 km more to the east). We observed from 1:45 to 2:45 UT. Then, a cirrus front coming from the west that also hit Lattrop culled us off. Both stations had Lm near ~ 5.4-5.7. Rates were clearly enhanced, but not as much as we had hoped for. We don't have our data available yet, but our impression is, trying to account a little bit for the moonlight, that rates were similar to the 1995 return, i.e. ZHR around 30-40 or so. What struck us was that in comparison with both 1995 and 1996 there weren't that much real bright meteors. The Lattrop team however has seen one -6, with 3 minutes persisting train. I saw a -2 as my brightest during my session, and a -4 tru cirrus in twilight when back at Lattrop. To be clear: the meteors were certainly brighter than the normal annual display, but not to the extend as in 1995 and 1996. So, a little bit ambiguous. We are glad to have been able to do some observing, especially given that last days in the forecast it didn't look like we would be able to do so. And yes, there was a fine enhancement. But from the perspective of rates and brightness, it could have been better. That's it for the moment. We are now back again at Casper's place to look at the forecasts for coming night and the last satellite pictures. Probably, we will be active from the eastern part of our country again, which when we left had good clear skies (the cirrus had dissolved). Problem is that the electricity generator of team 1 has broke down, so we have to position them somewhere where they have an electric socket available (such as at a public observatory). -Marco Langbroek Dutch Meteor Society, the Netherlands Also on behalf of: Koen Miskotte Jos Nijland Robert Haas Leonids-'98? A once (twice?) in your lifetime appearance! You can't afford to miss it! Casper ter Kuile, Akker 145, NL-3732 XD, De Bilt, The Netherlands Phone: +31-30-2203170; Fax: +31-30-2202695; GSM: +31-6-54723974 E-mail1: pegasoft@cc.ruu.nl; E-mail2: casper.ter.kuile@rivm.nl; UIN: 3462901 WWW: http://www.pi.net/~terkuile/meteors/dms.htm Date: Mon, 17 Nov 1997 23:54:59 +0100 From: Korado Korlevic Subject: Hallo Hallo everybody, In the past two days, here in Visnjan, Istria (Croatia) the weather was inclement. The sky was visible only in the holes between the clouds from here and from Rusnjak. I am not in good shape to go these night to observe in the place "^ÓBacin^Ô", but here are Nikola Biliskov, Slaven Garaj and Goran Zgrablic, who just start the observation in that place. Today I received the indirect e-mail from Remanzacco Observatory (Udine) Italy, that Giorgio Bresan on his receiver received thousands of reflections these morning 09:50 (UT- MET ??). I hope that a visual confirmation come also from the observers in the Pacific region ? Clear sky and all the best wishes, with the hope to be more with you in the near future (IMC 1998 ?). Korado Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 11:16:45 +0100 From: Robert Haas Subject: Impression Dutch 17/18 experience Hello everybody, This is a weird campaign. Last night (early in the evening) it looked like we would have to go to the east of our country again. We had already left, when we received word that there could possibly be cloud interference coming from |Germany in the east later that night, but.....that the center of our country was clearing! One of our 2 teams already had reached the publ;ic observotory at Lattrop in the east of the Netherlands, but Robert and I were just 30 km east of our regular location Biddinghuizen and decided to turn and go to that location. When we arrived, the sky was as clear as crystal. Much to my amazement, I counted an Lm of 6.0, which is perhaps the best I have ever experienced for moonlight conditions! We could even see some marginal milky way from Cassiopeia to Cygnus! So we decided to stay and setup. After setting up our photographic equipment, we took a short sleep, and started observations fresh (...) at around 0:45 local time (23:45 UT). In the early part of observations, the Leonids were showing a clear activity, though evidently less than the previous night. Several attractive bright meteors up to -3 appeared. But later that night, rates were evidently and seriously in decline: we really experienced (so to speak) that they did fall off markedly, the stream just petterred out so to speak. It was brilliantly clear, but also frosty (temperatures slightly below freezing) and the eastern wind was strong and very cold. The last hours were really unpleasant because of the cold wind and the actually quite unaspiring activity around that time.... Meteors now seemed less bright too.... But our perseverance was rewarded with a beautifull brilliant blue -6 Leonid at 5:12:16 UT that had 2 minutes of persisting train, drifting gently away.... This night, we also saw some nice Taurids including a loooooooooong -2. Tomorrow or the day after, I will mail my data of last two nights. Like I wrote before, definitely enhanced activity, a nice show (particularly 16/17 and early in the night 17/18, but less than we had hoped for and in that aspect slightly disappointing. But it was a good campaign. Last night we certainly obtained some multistation photographic orbits of Leonids. -Marco Langbroek (Dutch Meteor Society) Robert Haas, Eikenhorst 94, NL-2402 SH, Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands Phone: +31-172-441270; E-mail1:delpsurf@cistron.nl ; UIN 3467462 ===============>LIVE WEBPHONE AT delpsurf@cistron.nl<=================== Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 23:30:47 -0600 From: Jim Richardson Subject: (meteorobs) AMS Project Proposal Form Dear colleague, Below please find a copy of the newly redefined guidelines and criteria for obtaining American Meteor Society sponsorship for an amateur-professional collaborative project in meteor science. Attached you should also find an ASCII text file, named ams_prop.txt, which contains the entire project sponsorship proposal form to be submitted, in addition to these guidelines. The deadline for submitting a pre-proposal for the upcoming 1998 calendar year is December 31, 1997. Questions regarding AMS project sponsorship or this form should be directed to myself at . Thank you, Jim Richardson =========================================================================== The American Meteor Society, Ltd. Guidelines for Project Proposals The American Meteor Society is a non-profit scientific organization established for the purpose of conducting, coordinating, and encouraging amateur-professional collaboration in meteor astronomy. Due to a modest endowment from the Clinton B. Ford estate in 1993, the Society is now in a position to sponsor economical amateur projects which offer usable results to a professional meteor scientist. The end result of AMS sponsorship should be a published paper(s) in a refereed scientific journal, or a book. The application process for AMS sponsorship will occur in four stages: (1) submission of a pre-proposal, (2) AMS Board of Directors selection, (3) submission of a formal proposal, and (4) AMS project sponsorship. The criteria for AMS project sponsorship are as follows: 1. The project must be related to meteor science; that is, inter-planetary dust, meteoroids, meteors, or meteoric phenomena. Projects involving meteorites, micro-meteorites, or meteorite recovery cannot be considered because of the costs involved. 2. The annual AMS budget for each project cannot exceed US $1000 per fiscal year. 3. Project participants must be willing to cost-share with the AMS, especially during the equipment acquisition and startup phase of the project. Cost sharing is usually done on a dollar for dollar basis and must be indicated in the budget portion of the proposal (Section VI). In kind cost-sharing involving equipment and supplies will be allowed by permission of the AMS board. 4. Each project should involve an amateur, or group of amateurs, working directly with a professional collaborator. However, a professional collaborator need not be found prior to submitting a pre-proposal. The AMS staff will assist those amateurs with meritorious project ideas to locate a suitable professional collaborator prior to formal proposal submission and final AMS sponsorship. Page 1 of 3 (AMS Guidelines for Project Proposals) 5. All amateur meteor enthusiasts are welcome to submit a pre-proposal: applicants need not be members of the AMS or an affiliated group. The one exclusion is that a member of the AMS Board of Directors cannot be the Principal Investigator in any AMS sponsored project. 6. Professional collaborators should hold a Ph. D. in the areas of either Physics, Astronomy, Aeronomy, Geophysics, or some other area directly related to meteor science. The professional collaborator must be willing to actively guide and act as mentor for his/her amateur counterparts, and will be expected to offer a co authorship to his/her amateur collaborators for any presentations or publications resulting from the project. AMS sponsorship should also be acknowledged in all publications resulting from the project. 7. All decisions regarding AMS sponsorship will be solely made by the AMS Board of Directors, upon the advice of the AMS Operations Staff and Professional Advisory Committee. 8. Unless otherwise agreed upon by the project participants, all data produced from the project will remain proprietary to the project participants for at least three years following its production. Public release or data sharing need not be done while active research is being conducted within the project. Following project completion or after the proprietary period mentioned above, copies of all data produced by the project should be placed in archive with the AMS for free release to all interested parties. 9. Project participants will need to submit a report on their progress and activities at least semi-annually. One of the semi-annual reports will be selected each year to be reprinted in the AMS Annual Report. 10. Each actively sponsored AMS project will be reviewed annually by the AMS Board of Directors, with each project to be either renewed or discontinued. All applicants are reminded that the AMS budget is limited, and only a small number of projects can be sponsored each year. Projects which are still in their start-up phase can be especially expensive. Promising proposals which are not accepted in one calendar year due to the pre-existing project load may well be accepted in a subsequent year as former projects age. It is, therefore, strongly recommended that applicants re-submit their ideas periodically. Page 2 of 3 (AMS Guidelines for Project Proposals) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proposal Submission Procedure Pre-proposals for AMS sponsorship will be received during the last quarter of each calendar year, beginning October 1, with a deadline of December 31. Following review by the AMS staff and advisors, the final sponsorship decisions will be provided by the Board of Directors no later than March 31 of the following year. A Pre-proposal is a completed Proposal Form, minus the Certification Section VII. If a professional collaborator has not been located, then Section III may also be left empty. Pre-proposals should be sent to: James Richardson AMS Operations Manager Route 2, Box 118 Graceville, FL 32440 USA E-mail: richardson@digitalexp.com Electronic mail submissions are preferred; however, good quality hard copies may also be submitted. (These will be scanned into electronic format). The Operations Manager will review all pre-proposals received for completeness and conformity to the above listed criteria. He will then forward copies to the AMS staff, advisors, and members of the Board of Directors for review and consideration. Upon an approval from the AMS Board of Directors, those participants which have had their pre-Proposal accepted must submit a printed formal proposal (including the signed Certification Section VII) prior to the initiation of actual AMS sponsorship. Formal proposals should be sent to: Dr. David Meisel AMS Executive Director Dept. of Physics and Astronomy State University of New York at Geneseo 1 College Circle Geneseo, NY 14454 USA Page 3 of 3 =========================================================================== James Richardson Graceville, Florida richardson@digitalexp.com Operations Manager / Radiometeor Project Coordinator American Meteor Society (AMS) http://www.serve.com/meteors/ Date: Thu, 21 Nov 1996 17:52:01 +0200 From: Mohammad Odeh Subject: Leonids From Jordan (Official Report) The 1997 Leonids in Jordan . ------------------------------------------------------------ Moh'd Sh. Odeh ( Jordanian Astronomical Society ( JAS) ) ------------------------------------------------------------ An overview is given of Jordanian observations of the 1997 Leonids meteor shower around its peak. The Jordanian Astronomical Society ( JAS), organized an observing camp devoted to the 1997 Leonids meteor shower . The camp was held from Nov. 17-18, in a site close to Al-Azraq Oasis which is located 150 Km east of Amman, the capital of Jordan . The coordinates of the observing site are :- Long: 37:06:35 E , Lat: 31:43:05 N , h = 555 m. The participants were :- Hani Dalee, Moh'd Al-Alwanew, Ahmad Al-Niamat, Ibrahim Odwan, Ramez Al-Mualla, Moh'd Odeh, Sana'a Abdo, Amira Al-Hemsy, Ahmad Dhyab. The observing conditions in the site were too much poor, since the moon's light disturbed strongly. While the other conditions were ideal. ========================================================================== * Observers And IMO Code 1- Ahmad Alniamat (ALNAH). 2- Hani Dalee (DALHA). 3- Ibrahim Odwan (ODWIB). 4- Moh'd Al-Alwanew (ALAMO) 5- Moh'd Odeh (ODEMO). 6- Ramez Al-Mualla (ALMRA) 7- Sana'a Abdo (ABDSA). ========================================================================== The Results Day Hour (UT) # Observers # Leonids ZHR +/- ---------------------------------------------------------------- 17/11 22:30 5 22 77 34 17/11 23:30 6 34 56 23 18/11 00:30 7 48 54 20 18/11 01:30 6 55 46 19 18/11 02:30 4 23 36 18 * Abbreviations :- - # Observers: Number of observers at that time. - # Leonids: The total number of the Leonids meteors were seen by all observers. - ZHR : Generally : The number of meteors a single experienced observer would see per hour from a shower with a radiant directly overhead in a dark location under exceptional conditions where 6.5 magnitude stars are visible. In the table ZHR is the average of ZHRs of the observers. - +/- : It is the ZHR error, which is ZHR/Sqr(#Observers). ============================================================= This report can be found also in our site in the internet:- ****************************************************************** Mohammad Shawkat Odeh. Head of Occultations' Observation Committee. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS). odehjas@geocities.com http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/index.html ******************************************************************* Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 09:48:08 -0500 From: Rainer Arlt <100114.1361@compuserve.com> Subject: Leonid Circular 1997 ------------------------------------- I M O S h o w e r C i r c u l a r ------------------------------------- LEONIDS 1997 The 1997 Leonid peak was expected to occur over North American west coast longitudes and Hawaii on November 17. The strong moonlight caused difficulties in determining the limiting magnitudes, resulting in large scatters of the ZHRs. This Circular does not claim to give first average ZHRs -- it rather tries to find the actual peak time. ZHRs should be treated as relative values, since more elaborate calibration of the moonlight observations may be necessary when more data have been received. The peak time fell between 10h30 UT and 13h UT. The exact time is hard to derive, since several observers reported sharp activity peaks at different times within this period. Average rates suggest 11h UT, which is the same peak solar longitude (sol=235.17) as in 1996. Based on the data available, it is not possible to recognize double peaks or filamentary structures. The scatter and temporal variations are assumed to be caused by the poor conditions we had to face this year. We gratefully thank all the observers who made their observations available by sending them to the Visual Commission or publishing them on one of the meteor mailing lists. Abdo Sana'a (Jordan) Johannink Carl (the Netherlands) Al-Alwanew Mohammad (Jordan) Langbroek Marco (the Netherlands) Al-Mualla Ramez (Jordan) Lukic Vladimir (Yugoslavia, obs. USA) Al-Niamat Ahmad (Jordan) Lunsford Bob (USA) Assmus Joseph (USA) Miskotte Koen (the Netherlands) Brown Peter (Canada, obs. USA) Odeh Mohammad (Jordan) Collier Matthew (USA) Odwan Ibrahim (Jordan) Dalee Hani (Jordan) Sanchez Javier (Spain) Davis Mark (USA) Stomeo Enrico (Italy) Gliba George (USA) Taibi Richard (USA) Gorelli Roberto (Italy) Togni Rocky (USA) Gramer Lewis (USA) Trigo Josep M. (Spain) Hally Wayne (USA) Yrjola Ilkka (Finland) Haver Roberto (Italy) van Weerden Anne (the Netherlands) Hernandez David (Spain) Zay George (USA) 1997 Nov 17 --------------------- Time Sollong ZHR +- (UT) (J2000) --------------------- 0130 234.77 33 4 0400 234.87 35 7 0600 234.96 41 27 0815 235.05 66 31 0950 235.12 77 30 1050 235.16 132 43 1150 235.20 71 30 1250 235.24 95 33 2300 235.67 45 15 --------------------- The ZHRs are calculated with a population index of r=2.0 and a zenithal exponent of 1.0. A large relative scatter of rates appears at the interface between observations from the Canary islands and North American east coast observers, indicating a zenithal exponent different from 1.0. Errors are the standard deviations of the average. Rainer Arlt, 1997 November 22. --------------------------------- Visual Commission International Meteor Organization email: visual@imo.net Homepage: http://www.imo.net --------------------------------- Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 19:06:09 +0100 (MET) From: Sirko Molau Subject: 1997 Leonids storm in Hawaii The following report origins from Mr. Kazuhiro Suzuki of Japan. --- From: kaze@tcp-ip.or.jp Subject: 1997 Leonids storm in Hawaii Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 22:44:39 +0900 1997 Leonids storm in Hawaii Dear Dr. Marsden: I would like to submit you as an observational report for IAUC that the TV Leonid meteors' short-time outburst was detected at Mt. Mauna Kea in Hawaii by Masao Kinoshita in the morning on November 17 LT(LT=UT-10h) 1997. Masao Kinoshita(Osaka, Japan) observed 1997 Leonids' short-time storm using TV systems at Nov. 17.5637 UT corresponding the solar longitude of 235.27 deg.(2000.0 Eq.) at Mauna Kea(height 3,500 m), Hawaii. The storm had continued for only 2 sec. from 13h31m51s to 53s UT and more than 100-150 meteors appeared in the video pictures(70deg.*50deg. of the celestial sphere) for that 2 sec. Used TV systems consisted of an image intensifier(Hamamatsu), a video camera(SONY) and a lens with focal lengths of 24 mm/F 1.4(Canon). This Leonids storm consisted of -2 to 4 mag meteors and all meteors appeared within 10 deg. width view. Simply corrected, hourly rate of this storm amounts to 180,000 to 200,000. Excluding the term of this storm, hourly rate of TV Leonids was 30-40 during 13h -16h UT. Mail Sender: Kazuhiro Suzuki, Toyokawa, Aichi, Japan FAX:+81-5337-6-2852 E-mail: kaze@tcp-ip.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm ^Z Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 18:47:00 +0900 From: QGA00120@niftyserve.or.jp Subject: Leonids in Japan:Preliminary results Visual results in Japan (The Nippon Meteor Society). ZHR has been computed with: - gamma = 1.0 (correction of Radiant elevation) - r = 2.0 - excluding:observations under unfavourable condition (T<30m, Cl>0.4, RP-h<10deg) ------------------------------------------ Time[UT] N ZHR(Leo) SD Remarks ------------------------------------------ Nov.17, 1997 11:30 1 65 - obs. Hawaii 12:30 2 76 3 obs. Hawaii 13:30 2 92 12 obs. Hawaii 14:30 2 58 18 obs. Hawaii 15:30 10 88 68 16:30 25 84 45 17:30 37 86 41 18:30 38 97 40 19:30 30 60 30 20:20 6 91 22 Nov.17/18, 1997 15:30 2 43 15 16:30 2 33 5 17:30 3 32 32 18:30 5 28 12 19:30 5 31 28 20:20 1 35 - ------------------------------------------ Observers : S.Akiyama,N.Fukuda,K.Fukui,T.Hasegawa,T.Hashimoto,I.Hatsukade, (62members) Y.Hattoiri,S.Hirose,O.Iiyama,M.Ishii,Y.Ishiyama,D.Ito, S.Izuhara,Y.Izuhara,K.Izumi,N.Kadota,K.Kawabata,Y.Kawai, M.Kinkori,A.Kisanuki,K.Maeda,K.Mameta,T.Maruyama*,Y.Matsumoto, T.Nagai,T.Nakajima,K.Nakamura,Y.Nakasaka,K.Naniwada, N.Nishitani,Y.Nojima,H.Nose,Y.Oikawa,M.Oka,H.Okayasu, T.Okuda,H.Onishi,K.Osada,T.Sagayama*,K.Saito,T.Sashikata, H.Sato,K.Sato,M.Sato,T.Sato,H.Shioi,S.Sumikawa,M.Takanashi, M.Tamaki,M.Tanaka,K.Terakubo,M.Toda,T.Torigoe,K.Uemura, Y.Yabu,R.Yamamoto,Y.Yamanami,S.Yoshida,H.Yoshidome, Y.Yoshimizu,M.Yoshimura,N.Yoshimura (*:obs. Mauna Kea,Hawaii Island,USA) Total observations: 7,633 minutes (=127.22h) Total number of Leonid meteors: 1713 See more details showing at: http://www2j.meshnet.or.jp/~mton/ -------------------------------------------------------------------- Masaaki Takanashi (The Nippon meteor society / Gotemba city, JAPAN) E-Mail : QGA00120@niftyserve.or.jp -------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 27 Nov 1997 17:19:33 +0100 (MET) From: Sirko Molau Subject: AFAM preliminary report of the 1997 Leonids The following report was communicated by Giovanni Sostero of AFAM, Italy. ******************************************************************************* Dear Sirs, we are an amateur astronomical society. Together with the local town council, we are managing a public observatory, located in Remanzacco (near Udine), that's almost 150 Km North-East of Venice, in northern Italy. Besides some educational activities for schools and people in general, we are perforforming, in our club we have also some active groups of amateur researchers. Among them, one is dealing with VHF forward scattering radio detection of meteors (we are also members of IMO). I would like to send you our preliminary report about 1997 peak of Leonid meteors, as detected with our instruments, hoping that it will be of some interest for you. Best regards, -Giovanni Sostero- (President of AFAM) Address: Associazione Friulana di Astronomia e Meteorologia (AFAM) Via S.Stefano, 31 33047-Remanzacco (UD) ITALY phone: ++39-432-668176 (observatory) ++39-40-3758632 (G.Sostero, office) fax: ++39-40-226338 (please specify: to G.Sostero-Optics Lab.) e-mail: afam@mail.conecta.it sostero@elettra.trieste.it homepage: http://www.conecta.it/afam/index.htm (under costruction) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LEONID METEORS AS RECORDED FROM REMANZACCO OBSERVATORY: FIRST REPORT Preliminary data analysis of the Leonid '97 activity, was performed from the data collected with one of the two receiving stations operated by the Radioastronomy Team of our Observatory. The instrumental setup for the first receiving station we are considering hereby, is as follows: LOCATION: Remanzacco Astronomical Observatory (Udine Province, Italy) Lat. North 46d 05' 11"; Long. East 13d 18' 59"; 113m above sea level STATION MASTER: Giorgio Bressan (afam@mail.conecta.it) ANTENNA: Yagi 3 elements (height 2m, horizontal polarization, elevation angle zero degrees), 40 degrees lobe width. RECEIVER: professional receiver, USB mode, bandwidth 1.5 KHz, 48.231 MHz TRANSMITTER LOCATION: Varsavia (Poland), 48.250 MHz, about 900 Km North- NorthEast from the receiving station (bearing as seen from our observatory: 33 degrees) SAMPLING FREQUENCY: 5 readings/sec REPORT: Our radio monitoring patrol of the Leonid meteor 1997 event, started on November 12, and is still lasting. According a preliminary analysis of the data taken with one receiving station (see technical parameters listed above) of the two we have, we can say that an increasing from the background sporadic meteor activity started clearly on Nov.17 at 04:00 UT. We found a first (weak) peak of activity starting at 07:15 UT, that lasted up to 08:40 UT, peaked at 08:15 UT. Than follows a main maximum of meteor frequency, started at 09:40 UT up to 11:31 UT, peaked at 10:50 UT. During this event we registerd many overdense tracks, one of which lasted up to 400 sec. The activity than decreased to a minimum, centered at 15:00 UT, and spanning almost 5 hour. After that we recorded a steady, smooth increase of meteor flux starting from 18:00 UT, with several secondary peaks, the main of which occured at 22:35 UT, followed by some other events, all along the night from Nov.17 - Nov.18. >From our data, it's obvious that the peak occurred on Nov.17 at 10:50 UT has a completely different shape profile, compared to the maximun recorded on Nov. 17 at 22:35 UT: the latter has a very "flattened" behaviour, composed of different secondary maxima, lasting several hours, while the previous one has a sharper and steep profile, lasting less than two hour, at most. All the comments reported above (time of maxima, etc.), are obviously referred to our "local" observing conditions, that are a function of our hardware setup and geometrical conditions under which we were looking at the radiant. More informations about our work, included simultaneous data recording we obtained from a second receiving station we are operating, setted to a transmitter located in Frankfurt-Germany (48.250 MHz, distance 620 Km, bearing 324 degrees), will follow this preliminary report. Meanwhile, we wellcome any question/comment/criticism related to this first contribution we are sending you. We would like to warmly thank Werfried Kuneth for his kind help and for the patience he has with us, Regards, -Giorgio Bressan- Team leader of the radioastronomy group Remanzacco Observatory Date: Fri, 5 Dec 1997 10:11:00 -0800 From: Joseph_Assmus@pace-post.ucsd.edu Subject: Predicted '97 GEMINID max Greetings All, In the IMO calander, the '97 GEMINID max is predicted for Dec 13, 22 UT. In DMS Streams/Events the max is predicted for Dec 14, ~5 UT Is is really somewhere in between?? Joseph Sad Diego, CA Date: 14 Dec 1997 11:24:00 +0100 From: Robert Haas Subject: Huge Meteor Impact Greenland Huge Meteor Impact Greenland TO ALL FOR NEWS GO TO http://home.pi.net/~terkuile/meteors/dms.htm Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) Robert Haas From aknoefel@ddorf.rhein-ruhr.de Mon Dec 15 15:58:08 1997 Received: from campino.Informatik.RWTH-Aachen.DE by Informatik.RWTH-Aachen.De via SMTP (931110.SGI/930416.SGI.AUTO) for molau id AA08461; Mon, 15 Dec 97 15:54:02 +0100 Received: from charlie.luc.ac.be (charlie.luc.ac.be [193.190.6.21]) by Campino.Informatik.RWTH-Aachen.DE (8.8.7/RBI-Z18) with SMTP id OAA11971 for ; Mon, 15 Dec 1997 14:40:08 +0100 (MET) Received: from saturn.hrz.tu-chemnitz.de by charlie.luc.ac.be (5.0/SMI-SVR4) id AA20821; Mon, 15 Dec 1997 13:57:29 --100 Received: from Disi.Ddorf.Rhein-Ruhr.De by saturn.hrz.tu-chemnitz.de with SMTP (PP); Sun, 14 Dec 1997 11:30:37 +0100 Received: by ddorf.rhein-ruhr.de (CrossPoint v3.11 R/C124); 14 Dec 1997 11:27:30 +0100 Date: 14 Dec 1997 11:27:00 +0100 From: aknoefel@ddorf.rhein-ruhr.de (Andre Knoefel) To: fidac-news@imo.net Cc: imo-news@imo.net Cc: meteorobs@latrade.com Message-Id: <6jsELhzApsB@knoefel.rhein-ruhr.de> Subject: More Satellite Images of the Greenland-Event-Cloud X-Mailer: CrossPoint v3.11 R/C124 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Organization: International Meteor Organization / Fireball Data Center You'll find more Satellite Images of the Greenland-Event-Cloud: http://www.ddorf.rhein-ruhr.de/~aknoefel/greenland Regards, Andre Knoefel ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + International Meteor Organization :::::::: + + Fireball Data Center ::::: + + c/o Andre Knoefel \ | /:::: + + Duesseldorf, Germany - o - + + fidac@imo.net / | \ + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ From keld-rasmussen@email.dk Mon Dec 15 17:07:36 1997 Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 13:34:21 +0100 From: Keld Rasmussen To: Meteorite List Central , Meteor Observers , IMO News [The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Hey. Just joining this list some days ago. I have seen a lot of mails concerning possible meteroriteimpact i Greenland 091297 0510 lokal time I have been i radio and telefon contact vith at least 5 eyevitness. And their storyes are published at the danish astro-mail list. Seismic data incluted. In this moment i havent had the time to translate. Shortly: Things points, that at huge meteor was flying over the water in a line outside the coast of Nuuk to an eksplotion in a very low hight at the southmost inlandsice of Greenland. It seem to be well docomented. To sysadministrator: Does this stuf (eyewitnesrapports ect) have any interest in this group. ??? Then contact me by mail. Afterwards i vill (try to) translate my mails to english. If any have a special interest and a lot of hurry: Pleace contact: keld-rasmussen@email.dk telephone: +45 45 88 88 52 or +45 40 36 15 02 (mobile) From jenssvei@dk-online.dk Tue Dec 16 11:37:01 1997 Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 23:36:59 +01 From: Jens Sveistrup To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: Re: Greenland event (Cross posted to ASTRO, IMO-news, and meteorite-list. I'm not a member of the last one, but I was encouraged to send any news regarding the possible imapct in Southern Greenland. A Danish version has been posted on the Danish list Astrolist.) Hi all As I have posted earlier om ASTRO and Astrolist (I forgot IMO-News, sorry!, fortunately Henrik Persson forwarded my, and others, report to members of that list), a huge bolide was observed in south-west Greenland 9. Dec. 97. Satellite images from that date show a dark cloud in Southern Greenland - a possible impact? The images are avaible at Dundee Satellite Receiving Station: http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/abin/browse/avhrr/1997/12/9/ I've just seen Keld Rasmussen's (hej Keld!!) posting about eye witness reports (sent to IMO-News and meteorite-list), so I will not give any reports. Instead I have done some investigations myself. At the moment it's generel believed that no impact has occurred. Well, at least no impact connected with the observed dark cloud on satellite photos from 9. Dec. 97. It is believed that the cloud is just an ordinary meteorological phenomenon. But if so, it should be possible to find the same structures on other satellite photos. And that it is!! I checked satellite photos (again from Dundee) on all dates in the periods Nov. 96, Dec. 96, Nov. 97 and Dec. 97 until 9. Dec. 97. On photos from 10. Nov. 96 two similar dark clouds are seen in the same area of Greenland. Dark clouds can be seen on images from other dates too, but less clearly. So, most likely conclusion must be: *no* huge impact in Southern Greenland, just a coincidence..... Hilsen Jens. -- Jens Sveistrup, Astrolist -- jenssvei@dk-online.dk Astrolist: ========== Tilmelding: astrolist-request@sunsite.auc.dk?subject=subscribe Afmelding: astrolist-request@sunsite.auc.dk?subject=unsubscribe Send indlaeg: astrolist@sunsite.auc.dk Info om arkiv: astrolist-request@sunsite.auc.dk?subject=archive help Generel hjaelp: astrolist-request@sunsite.auc.dk?subject=help Admini- henrikp@image.dk stratorer: jenssvei@dk-online.dk Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 23:37:46 +0100 From: Keld Rasmussen Subject: Meterorite over South Greenland - Eyewitness raports in Danish. The Meteorite event on/over Greenland 091297 0515 local time. In the last week I have collecting information from citizens in the area in Greenland. It is really fantastic. I can hartly breath - therefore you may have the rapports in danish. All rapports are first hand information and reliable. But ofcourse many of the people are not familiar to make a detailed descriprion of such a phenomenea. Whats not in the description is that most people thought that they vhere in the mittle of a nuclear war, or they vhere under fire of ballicstic missiles. All are awhere that they have seen a phenomenea - once in a lifetime. In a week or to the rapports will be translated - just for your eyes. This mail is sent to other maillists. If any of you reply to mee via the mail list - please remember to include the name of the list. ------------- 30 - 40 medlemmer af Københavns Astronomiske Forening var den 111297 samlet til juleafslutning i Planetariet, da en stakåndet medarbejder fra Planetariet fortalte om den sensationelle nyhed. De fleste har vist hørt fra pressen, at der har være observationer i Nuuk-området, der tydede på noget "stort", men da medarbejderen lagde nogle satelitfotografier på bordet, kunne vi næsten mærket "suset". Billederne viste et fenomen (formentlig indlandsisen sværtet af en røgfane) på størrelse med Sjælland. Området er beliggende på østkysten nogle hundrede kilometer nord for Kap Farvel. Vejrstation Prins Christianssund. Assistent Bent Olsen beretter, at han den 091297 kl. 0910 (ca. 4 timer efter hændelsen) bemærkede en røg/dampsky i nordlig retning, hvortil man havde klar udsigt. Skyen var med nogen sandsynlighed en damp udvikling fra et muligt nedslag. Den umiddelbare iagttagelse: "Det ligner jo noget røg". Han kunne dog ikke med sikkerhed sige om skyen havde nogen misfarvning. Grundet skyens form, farve, udbredelse mm (og personalets erfaring) gjorde, at man på sationen var overbeviste om, at den var en følge af nedslaget. Er spurgt om vertikal og horisontal udbredelse, intet bud. Personalets opgave er vejrobservation, så man her erfaring i skydannelser. Efter ca 1 min var skyen forsvundet grundet vind og vejr. BO foretog en præcis pejling visende 343 g (misvisning 30 g). Et bud på afstand er 50 -100 km. Vejrstationen er beliggende 60.03.25,4 N - 43.10.6,2 W. Højde over havet 80 m. Observationen var besværliggjort af fjelde på ca 1000 højde. ---- Jeg har yderligere sendt radiogrammer til 5 kuttere i området, der angiveligt skulle have foretaget øjenvidneskildringer. (Det koster en bondegård). --- Geofysisk Institut under Købenahvns Universitet, har påtaget sig opgaven at koordinere informationerne om fenomenet i Sydgrønland. Som følge deraf blev jeg kontaktet af lektor Torben Riisbo og gæsteforlæser Holger Pedersen, der ønskede yderligere informationer. Da det haster med flyrecce blev vi enige om at kontakte øjenvidner på de norske fiskekuttere via Immarsat, hvilket koster ca. 50 kr min. Man tilbød mig at komme ind på instituttet, hvorfra vi sammen kunne foretage opkaldene. Her er de detailjerede informationer. Overstyrmand Davor Mohr var vagthavende den 0912 ca kl. 0515 på fiskekutter Timmarut. Position. 60.13 N og 46.43 W og vestlig kurs. Vejret var stjerneklart og han observerede i retning vest. Fra en retning 270 - 290 g så han en enorm ildkugle, der beskrev en høj bane indtil den forsvandt i retning 90 g. Den beskrev en krum bue nedefter. Kuglen lyste med konstant styrke, og bag kuglen sås et lysende spor. Handelsen blev ikke afsluttet med kraftigt lys. Ildkuglen oplyste såvel skibet som fjeldene på land. Farven beskrives som rød og glødende. DM var usikker på iagttagelsesvinklen, men mener sikkert, at meteoret, ved det mulige nedslagssted, var meget lavt over horisonten, muligt under fjendene, der var ca. 40 km væk. Hændelsen varede ca 5 sec. Han blev chokeret og lamslået. Han udtrykte, at han muligt kunne mærke en strålingsvarme, men er dog usikker. (Det var tydeligt, at han følte, at det lød forkert) Ingen efterfølgede lydobservation eller uregelsmæssigheder i skibets elektronik. ---- Skipper Tumren var på broen på fiskekutter Halten Traal den 0912 ca. kl. 0510. Positionen var 62.05 M og 41.10 W. og kursen var nord-øst. Han observerede ligeledes en ildkugle, der beskrev en tilsyneladende sydvestlig retning, hvor den forsvandt ved 230-240 g. Den forsvandt i en højde ganske lavt over horisonten, muligt under fjeldene. Lysstyrken var i den første del konstant, men afsluttede i et kraftigt glimt, nærmet som et lyn. Han beskrev farven som nærmest blålig, og den oplyste hele styrhuset. Ingen efterfølgede lydobservation eller uregelsmæssigheder i skibets elektronik. ----- Styrmand Jens Ole Nielsen var den 0912 kl. 0514 vagthavende på fiskekutter Nicoline C, der lå på position 62.55 N og 51.35 W - ud for Sydgrønlands kyst nærmere Fiskenæsset. Vejret var klart, stjerneklart. Styrmanden så ikke selve ildkuglen, men bemærkede at styrhuset og fjeldene blev oplyst af et gult-rødt lys. Fenomænet havde retning mod syd, og det virkede som om det blev en anelse lysere, da det bevægede sig mod syd. Han udtrykte: Det hele blev oplyst, som om det var dag. Ingen efterfølgede lydobservation eller uregelsmæssigheder i skibets elektronik. Egen kommentar: Det må formodes, at objektet har passeret i en bane ret over kutteren, således at det har været uden for styrmandens synsfelt. ----- Overstyrmand Jørgen Eriksen var den 0912 ca. kl. 0510 vagthavende på fiskekutter Regina C. der lå på position 60.55 N og 42.15 W. Fra en nordlig retning så han en ildkugle, der forsvandt i retning 320 - 330 g. Ved første observation var objektet i en højde på ca 10 g over horisonten. og den forsvandt ned bag fjeldene, der stod som silhouet. Lysstyrken var i starten konstant, men da den kom under fjeldene, var det som om der kom et kraftigt glimt. JE beskriver det sidste glimt, som en meget kraftig eksplotion. Ildkuglens farve beskrives som blålig: som centeret i en elektrodesvejsning på jern. Omkring centeret var der en lysegrøn omslutning. I banen efter ildkuglen var der en glødende fane, hvorfra der faldt glødende stumper ned mod fjeldene. Under den sidste del af banen havde ildkuglen en retning på ca 45 g.(Set fra iagttagernes position). På fiskekort nr. 256 fra Deushe Demografiske Inst. (fonetisk) har JE udpeget banens slutning til at ligge bag og mellem fjeldene Kap Olfert Fisher og Nuk. Ved pejling til et muligt nedlagssted har skibets position og pejlingen til fjeldene første prioritet, hvorimod kompaspejlingen har anden priortet. Ingen efterfølgede lydobservation eller uregelsmæssigheder i skibets elektronik. Egen kommentar: Jeg har ikke haft mulighed for at sammenligne pejlingerne, fra JE,s observation. ----- Politibetjentene Kenneth Stridsen og Lars Heilmann fra Nuuk var den 0912 kl. 0510 på patullje i Nuuk, nærmere Nuussuaq. Kenneth bemærkede ud af sideruden en ildkugle, hvis omkreds var på størrelse med eller større end fuldmånen. Kuglen kom fra retning nord og bevægede sig mod syd. Det skønnedes, at objektet befandt sig ca. 15-20 g fra lodret i retning mod vest, dvs mod vandet. Ildkuglens farve bekrives som orange-gul, med en efterfølgende ildhale. Betjentene stod ud af bilen umiddelbart efter. Men man hørte intet lydbrag. Ingen støj på politiradioen eller uregelmæssigheder i bilens elektronik. Lars Heilmann gjorde ligedes iagttagelser. Disse indhentes senere. Det samme gælder en taxachauffør, der befandt sig på samme gade. Fra ordenspolitiets døgnrapport ses flere notater om iagttagelser. Disse beskrives senere En iagttagelse fortjener dog at blive refereret nu. Det drejer sig om en beboer i en bygd syd for Nuuk, der var på toilettet på hændelsestidspunktet. Han bemærkede en jordrystelse, eller det virkede nærmere som om toilettet flyttede på sig. Egen kommentar: Vi må da formode, at rystelsen kom fra fjeldet og ikke fra toilettet. .-) ----- Fra Niels Bohr Inst, Geofysisk Institut, berettede Torben Riisbo, at seismiske data tyder på, at der ikke har fundet et egentligt nedslag sted. Derimod har målestationer på Svalbard og Finmarka (Nordnorge) registret impulser, der tyder på en mere diffus trykpåvirkning af den sydlige del af Grønland. ----- Vagthavnede Grønlandskommando, Tommas Pedersen, har søndag eftermiddag oplyst, at der ikke de sidste dage er indberettet nye øjenvidneskildringer. Mandag formiddag vil man overflyve det mulige nedslagssted, for om muligt at finde rester af meteoritten. Et TV-hold fra TV2 vil være om bord. Mandag den 151297 kl. 1230 via Immarsat. Kaptajn Tim Nicolajsen på fiskekutter Tasiilaq lå den 0912 ca kl. 0510 på position 62.01 N og 41.13 W. Sejlretning mod syd. Han bemækede i horisonten over indlandsisen et meget kraftigt lysglimt, der tilsyneladende havde farven hvid. Omgivelserne og kutteren blev oplyst i en sådan grad, at TN beskriver det som dagslys. Da han i samme øjeblik retter synet mod lysglimtet ser han en smal "takket" ildhale/ildsøjle, der strakte sig fra et punkt umiddelbart over fjeldene til en højde af ca 10 g. (meget usikkert) Intensiteten og farven var af samme karakter som faldskærmsnødblus. Ildsøjlen bestod en kort periode efter lysglimtet. Det var ikke muligt at få ildglimtets vinkelhøjde beskrevet, idet de lå i observatørerens sekundære synsfelt. TN har en præcis pejling: 285 g retvisende. Retning mod Gavlfjellet (fonetisk). Yderligere et besætningsmedlem Hasse Christiansen har gjort iagttagelser. Formentlig mere herom senere. Ovenstående informationer er naturligvis til fri afbenyttelse, men angiv venligst kilden: Keld Rasmussen, fra Københavns Astronomiske Forening. Har Du speciel interesse, så send en email til keld-rasmussen@email.dk Eller hvis det haster, så ring: 45 888853 eller 40 361502. Mandag den 151912 kl. 1600. Taxachauffør Hans Rasmussen startede den 091297 kl. 0500 sin vagt i Nuussiaq (ved Nuuk). Kl. 0515-0520 kørte han ud for blok 3 i Nuussiaq i retning syd og havde frit udsyn over den østlige himmel. Han bemærkede da et "usædvanligt og kraftigt" lysskær der oplyste himlen og fjeldene. Farven skønnedes til at være blålig, og dette varede 2-4 sek. Herefter var der en pause på ca 1 sek, hvorefter himlen igen oplystes i ca 2 sec. Den sidste oplysning var af intensitet noget svagere end det første. Tidsforløbet er naturligvis skønsmæssigt, men holder sig indenfor +- 50 pct. Det var HR.s opfattelse, at lysglimtene skyldes den omtalte meteor, og at denne "kom ud over nordland". - Ud over godthåbsfjorden. Dvs at HR.s udsyn var blokeret af nævnte bygning. Han steg efterfølgende ud af bilen, men gjorde ingen lydobservationer. Der var ingen spor på himlen efter passagen. Bilens elektronik/radio mv. viste ingen uregelmæssigheder. Under selve observationen blev HR så forskrækket, at han var ved at køre ind i en lygtepæl, og det varede noget inden han kom sig over chokket. ----- Har Du speciel interesse, så send en email til keld-rasmussen@email.dk Eller hvis det haster, så ring: 45 888853 eller 40 361502. Alle ovenstående informationer er naturligvis til fri afbenyttelse, men angiv venligst kilden: Keld Rasmussen, fra Københavns Astronomiske Forening. --------- English. All information are for free, but remember to refer to source: Keld Rasmussen, Københavns Astronomiske Forening. Denmark. Keld Rasmussen Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 00:07:14 +0100 From: Keld Rasmussen Subject: Meteorite over Greenland- English short version. The Meteorite event on/over Greenland 091297 0515 local time. This mail concern eyewittnes rapportes in english and short form. Tanks to Henrik Persson from KAF for translation. In the last week I have collecting information from citizens in the area in Greenland. It is really fantastic. I can hartly breath. All rapports are first hand information and reliable. But ofcourse many of the people are not familiar to make a detailed descriprion of such a phenomenea. Whats not in the description is that most people thought that they vhere in the mittle of a nuclear war, or they vhere under fire of ballicstic missiles. All are awhere that they have seen a phenomenea - once in a lifetime. This mail is sent to other maillists. If any of you reply to mee via the mail list - please remember to include the name of the list. Geophysical Institute of Copenhagen University has taken on the task of coordinating information about the phenomenon in Southern Greenland. As a consequence I was contacted by lector Torben Riisbo and guest lecturer Holger Pedersen, who wanted further information. Since a flight reconnaisance is imminent, we agreed on calling eyewitnesses at Norwegian trawlers via Immarsat (At a cost of $8 pr. minute). I was invited to come to the institute and place the calls from there. Here are the detailed informations: First mate Davor Mohr was on duty 0912 at app. 05.15am on trawler Timmarut. Position 60.13N 46.43W course westerly. The sky was clear and he observed faced west. >From direction 270-290 deg. he saw an enourmous fireball, moving in a high track until it disappeared i direction 90 deg. It moved in a curve downwards. The ball did not vary in brightness and behind it a luminous track was seen. The event was not terminated by a flash. The fireball lit up the ship as well as the mountains on shore. Color described as red and glowing. DM was not sure about the angle, but believs the meteor was very low over the horizon at the possible impact site, perhaps below the mountains app. 40 kilometers away. The event lasted 5 sec.. He was chocked and dumbfounded. He expressed, that he possibly felt radiation heat, but is unsure. (It was obvious, he felt this sounded wrong). No sound or disturbances of ship's electronics. **** Captain Tumren was on the bridge of trawler Halten Traal 0912 at app. 05.10am. Position was 62.05N and 41.10W course northeast. He also observed a fireball, apparently moving in southwesterly direction, were it disappeared at 230-240 deg. very low over the horizon, possibly below the mountains. Luminance was constant, but terminated in a very bright flash, much like a lightning. He described the color as bluish and it lit up the wheel house. No sound or electronic disurbance was observed. ***** Mate Jens Ole Nielsen was on duty on trawler Nicoline C at 62.55N 51.35W off Fiskenæsset in South Greenland. The sky was clear. He did not se the fireball itself, but noticed that the wheel house and the mountains were lit by a yellow-red light. The phenomenon was moving south, and seemed to get a little bit brighter doing so. He said: "Everything was lit as if in broad daylight". No sound or electronic disturbances detected. **** First mate Jørgen Eriksen was at 0912 app. 0510am on duty on trawler Regina C at 60.55N 42.15W. He saw a fireball coming from north and disappearing at 320-330 deg. When detected the object was app. 10 deg. above the horizon, and disappeared behind the mountains, silhouetting them. Brightness constant at first, but when behind the mountains a bright flash was observed. JE describes it as a very violent explosion. The color was described as bluish as the center in a electrode welding on iron. Around the center the color was light green. From the glowing track glowing pieces fell towards the mountains. During the last part of the event the object was moving in a direction of 45 deg. as seen from the observers viewpoint. On fishing map 251 from Deutche Demografische Institut JE has estimated the end of the track to be behind and between the mountains Kap Olfert Fischer og Nuk. No sound or electronic disturbances observed. **** Police officers Kenneth Stridsen and Lars Heilmann from Nuuk was at 0912 0510am on patrol in Nuussuaq, Nuuk. Kenneth noticed a fireball the size of the full moon or more. The ball came from north and moved south. It was estimated to pass to the west at an elevation of 70-75 deg. Color described as orange-yellow with a tail of fire. The officers left the car, but heard no sound. No electronic distubances observed. ***** A citzen in a village south of Nuuk noticed a small tremor, while he was at the toilet. It felt like the toilet moved. One can wonder whether the tremor came from the mountains or the toilet :-) ***** >From Niels Bohr Institute, Geophysical Institute in Copenhagen Torben Riisbo told that seismic data indicate that an impact as such, did not occur. Seismic stations on Svalbard and Finmarka (Northern Norway) have registered impulses indicating a more diffuse pressure affecting the southern part of Greenland. ***** Officer on duty at the Greenland Command, Thomas Pedersen has Sunday afternoon informed us, that no new eyewitness reports have arrived the last couple of days. Monday a reconnaisance flight will pass the possible impact site, trying to locate fragments - but a lot of snow has fallen since the event. The plane will carry a camera team from Danish TV2. *********** Latest news Diagrams from NORSARs seismic meassuring station in Spitzbergen and Telemarka in Norway will (at tuesdag on 2300UT) be awailable on the comprehensive homepage at Copenhagen Astronomical Club. Københavns Astronomiske forening: http://www2.dk-online.dk/users/hpersson/kaf.htm *********** All information are for free, but remember to refer to source: Keld Rasmussen, Københavns Astronomiske Forening. Denmark. Keld Rasmussen Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 07:01:41 +0100 From: Keld Rasmussen Subject: Meteorite over Grenland - Flight recce negative [The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Yesterday a flight recce over the area was negative. Clouds over the area made i not possible to make any observations. Source of information: Iscentralen Narssaq via Torben Riisbo, Niels Bohr Institute. Se you Keld Rasmussen. Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 13:48:14 +0100 (CET) From: Marco Langbroek Subject: Re: Greenland event Hello to all, This mail is most notably destinated to some of the Danish colleagues. First: I want to emphasize that I really appreciate all the news. But I just want to point out that a large bolide does not necessarily mean that an impact must have occured. There is difference between a bolide apparition and a bolide impacting. Many bright bolides do not make it to the ground. The eyewitness-reports are spectacular indeed (as far as I can judge from my very limited mastery of Danish: but I am able to read parts of it), but consider a fireball in the -20 to -25 magnitude range in darkness: that would account for the reports. But it does not necessarily mean that something impacted, as Jens has corrrectly noted by the way. There have been earlier fireballs in this range that did not. So I think it is now crucial that focus is on that aspect: did, or did not something impact? That means: trjecvtory and end height reconstructions, reconnaissance of the possible terminal location. Untill that time it is better to speak of a BOLIDE apparition, as Jens did, than of an 'impact' that is by no means certain. Meanwhile, we keep very interrested! Good luck to the Danish with their research efforts, and hope to hear more results soon. -Marco Langbroek (DMS) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 13:15:33 +0100 From: Juergen Rendtel Seasons greetings As usual at the end of a year, it is time to look back and to shortly review some highlights. Of course, it is also a time when projects for the coming year(s) are made. In 1997 the Perseids were of central interest again, also because it was one of the few major showers not severely hampered by moonlight. And again, observers found a new activity feature which keeps the interest for future Perseid returns. But it is not surprising that the Leonids gained more attention, despite the Moon's interference. It seems that everything is well on course for the 1998 and perhaps 1999 major activity events. Preparations for respective expeditions are going on in various groups. This will certainly be reflected at the 1998 IMC which is held in conjunction with two professional conferences on meteoroids and comets in Tatranska Lomnica, Slovakia, in August 1998. As in 1992, such an occasion may well stimulate observing programs and analysing projects, and the professional-amateur cooperation in general. Many IMO members and other enthisiasts met at the IMC'97, which was a highlight of 1997 as well. In the IMO, we now have a video commission in order to coordinate activities going on within this rapidly developing branch. A few years ago we discussed the preparation of web pages for the IMO, and now several pages are available at www.imo.net. Unfortunately, some technical problems occurred recently, making the access difficult or even impossible for a few days. This is bad, of course, and we tried to solve this problem as soon as possible. If we have a look at the first access statistics, we see that the IMO's pages are often consulted, especially when major showers are expected. However, we think that we should also increase the amount of information about non-IMO data on meteor-related topics. I wish all members and friends of the IMO a healthy and prosperous New Year, and, of course, good luck with all your plans. Juergen Rendtel IMO President Date: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 21:57:50 +0100 From: Keld Rasmussen Subject: Meteorite over Greenland 091297- English. In the last few days we have spent most of our time collecting new eyewitness, and dokumentation. Our latest investigation have shown soundphenomen and small earthcrake. Read this eyewitnes rapports ******** Kommunefogedafløser Kristen Johnsen, Fiskenæsset, (South of Nuuk), was on the 091297 0510 on the toilet, when he felt an earthcracke. Duration about 1 sec. In the same time he heard an eksplosion. His vife and grandchild wake up, and the child bagan to cry. KJ thought that it vas a gseksplotion. ******** Jæcob Møller, fiskenæsset, (South of Nuuk), was in his bed, from where there are wiev to souht through a window. He saw some (more than 1) fireball passing through his sight of view. He was shure that there was more than 1 ball. After apx 3-4 min he felt an earthchrake and in the same time an eksplosion. ******** Isak Olsen, Akkunnaaq, (ca 500 km nord for Nuuk)stod at the 091297 051 X in open air, ant looking at north. He saw at light phenomen in duration 1 sec. He did not see any fireball. ******** I hope my insufficient english is better than danish you may not understand. Source and interview by: Keld Rasmussen, Københavns Astronomiske Forening. keld-rasmussen@email.dk tlf: 45 888853 (incl. fax) mobil 40 361502 Look at the home page of Københavns Astronomiske Forening. http://www2.dk-online.dk/users/hpersson/kaf.htm Date: Wed, 17 Dec 1997 02:19:59 +0100 From: Keld Rasmussen Subject: Meteorite over Greenland. Announcement of interwiev in BBC World Service - Europe Today Lektor in Niels Bohr Institute - Copenhagen University Torben Riisbo vil give a long description of the event on 091297 over Greenland. Place: BBC World Service: Europe Today. Time: 171297 0530CET, +0630CET, +0730CET Frequency: ? but shortwave. (I Danmark er det muligt at række den på kabel tv/radio) Pictures from eyewitness is this moment uploaded to the home page of the comprehensive Danish astronomy club: KØBENHAVNS ASTRONOMISKE FORENING. Please kee an eye on this homepage: http://www2.dk-online.dk/users/hpersson/kaf.htm Keld Rasmussen From keld-rasmussen@email.dk Fri Dec 19 09:44:43 1997 Date: Wed, 17 Dec 1997 00:05:50 +0100 From: Keld Rasmussen To: Meteorite List Central , Meteor Observers , IMO News , Astrolist , Astro General Astronomy Subject: Meteorite over Greenland. New eyewitness and pictures. [The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Today new information have been collecting More interesting eyewitnessrapports, pictures and more. Please keep an eye on this mail-list for the next hours. Pictures from eyewitness is this moment uploaded to the home page of the comprehensive Danish astronomy club: KØBENHAVNS ASTRONOMISKE FORENING. Please kee an eye on this homepage for the rest of your live: http://www2.dk-online.dk/users/hpersson/kaf.htm Keld Rasmussen Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 02:15:29 +0100 From: Casper ter Kuile Subject: Greenland event Dear meteorobservers, We are all very interested in the so called "Greenland event". At last it does seem the first detailed eyewithness reports are coming in. All meteorworkers will appreciate if these reports will be freely distributed among the international community by way of the mailinglists "meteorobs" and "imo_news". To our Danish meteorfriends: we wish you succes with your investigations and are looking forward to your results! Most of your reports are published on the website of the Dutch Meteor Society: http://home.pi.net/~terkuile/meteors/dms.htm If you have any comments on these information please let me know by email. Best wishes to you all, Casper ter Kuile (Dutch Meteor Society) Leonids-'98? A once (twice?) in your lifetime appearance! You can't afford to miss it! Casper ter Kuile, Akker 145, NL-3732 XD, De Bilt, The Netherlands Phone: +31-30-2203170; Fax: +31-30-2202695; GSM: +31-6-54723974 E-mail1: pegasoft@cc.ruu.nl; E-mail2: casper.ter.kuile@rivm.nl; UIN: 3462901 WWW: http://www.pi.net/~terkuile/meteors/dms.htm Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 21:50:16 +0100 From: Casper ter Kuile Subject: Press statement by Niels Bohr Institute, Geophysical Dept. 971215 20.00UT Press statement by Niels Bohr Institute, Geophysical Dept. 971215 20.00UT A big meteor impact has probably occurred in Southern Greenland at 61 25N, 44 26W on Tuesday, December 9th app. 08.11UTC (05.11am local time). The position is on the ice cap app. 50 kilometers NE of Narsarsuaq Airport. The position has been determined on the basis of observations made by a Danish and a Norwegian trawler near the east coast of Greenland, and a Danish trawler at a position in the bay off Julianehaab. Based on fairly accurate direction findings and the fact, that the trawlers were situated on both sides of Southern Greenland it can be determined, that the meteorite fell on land. The relevant trawlers are: Halten Trawl, Norwegian at 62 05N, 41 10W Regina C, Danish at 60 55N, 51 35W Timmarut, Danish at 60 13N, 46 43W Observations of the satelite lighttrack from Nuuk indicates that the meorite passed a bit south of Nuuk in southeasterly direction towards the mentioned impact site in Southern Greenland. Seismic disturbances have been observed on Svalbard and Finmarka (Norway). These tremors are observed at 08.21UTC and 08.23UTC and are assumed to relate to the impact or the passage of the meteorite through the atmosphere. The signals did not allow a seismic localization of the event. The observations are made by NORSAR (Norwegian Seismic Array), Kjeller, Norway. Fainter signals were observed in Finland and Germany. The seismic stations in Greenland (Sonder Stromfjord and Danmarkshavn) has no observations. Further seismic data will be collected from Iceland and Canada in order to confirm the visual localization. Observations from the satellites ERS1 and ERS2 are being planned. These satellites observe the surface of the Earth using radar. The flashes observed in conjunction with the meteorite were so bright as to turn night into daylight at a distance of 100 kilometers and can be compared to the light af a nuclear explosion in the atmosphere. However, we stress that there is no reason to belive other than natural causes. During the day, the position will be overflown by an ice reconnaissance plane, from the Ice Central in Narsarsuaq on its planned flight from Kap Farvel to Nuuk. The event can in size probably be compared to the Kap York meteorite, that in prehistoric time fell in Melville Bay, Sassivik south of Thule. Findings from the meteorite consist of a number of iron meteorites totalling 50 tons. One of these ironfragments can be seen in Copenhagen outside the Geological Museum. Collecting and studying material from this meteorite has great scientific value. It is fortunate that the meteorite fell on land, but a search on the ice cap is difficult and in winter impeded by bad weather and darkness. Since December 9th 30-100cm of snow has fallen in the area and before summer smaller fragments will be covered by 3 meters of snow. According to Danish law, findings of meteorite material must be turned over to the authorities, in this case they will be the property of the Greenland Home Rule. These investigations are coordinated by Geophysical Dept. at the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen in cooperation with: Tycho Brahe Planetarium, Copenhagen. Copenhagen Astronomical Society National Survey and Cadastre, Denmark NORSAR, Kjeller, Norway Danish Center for Remote Sensing, Technical University of Denmark The information may be qouted, if the source is indicated. Leonids-'98? A once (twice?) in your lifetime appearance! You can't afford to miss it! Casper ter Kuile, Akker 145, NL-3732 XD, De Bilt, The Netherlands Phone: +31-30-2203170; Fax: +31-30-2202695; GSM: +31-6-54723974 E-mail1: pegasoft@cc.ruu.nl; E-mail2: casper.ter.kuile@rivm.nl; UIN: 3462901 WWW: http://www.pi.net/~terkuile/meteors/dms.htm From korado@visnjan.hr Sat Dec 20 10:05:05 1997 Date: Sat, 20 Dec 1997 00:02:13 +0100 From: Korado Korlevic To: Keld Rasmussen Cc: Meteorite List Central , Meteor Observers , IMO News , Astrolist , Astro General Astronomy Subject: Re: Meteorite over Greenland. Announcement of interwiev in BBC World Service - Europe Today [The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Keld Rasmussen wrote: > > Lektor in Niels Bohr Institute - Copenhagen University Torben Riisbo vil > give a long > description of the event on 091297 over Greenland. > > Place: BBC World Service: Europe Today. > Time: 171297 0530CET, +0630CET, +0730CET > > Frequency: ? but shortwave. (I Danmark er det muligt at række den på > kabel tv/radio) > > Pictures from eyewitness is this moment uploaded to the home page of the > comprehensive Danish astronomy club: KØBENHAVNS ASTRONOMISKE FORENING. > Please kee an eye on this homepage: > > http://www2.dk-online.dk/users/hpersson/kaf.htm > > Keld Rasmussen The data from the Norwegian Seismic Array (NORSAR), are very similar to the powerful fireball of the North Italy of the 19.01.1993. In that case the terminal flare ocured from 30-40 km hight. No bug peace of that body was found, but from the fall down of the micro spherule as dust the cemical composition was found. Exist the possibility to find some dust particles ? Compliments for the nice work that you are doing. Korado From keld-rasmussen@email.dk Mon Dec 22 09:58:15 1997 Date: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 00:44:47 +0100 From: Keld Rasmussen To: Meteorite List Central , Meteor Observers , IMO News Cc: Henrik Persson Subject: Meteorite over Greenland 091297 [The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] About the event over Greenland on 091297 0510 following interviews was made on 191297. Marie Johnsen (Motzfelt), Fiskenæsset, (South of Nuuk) have told that she vas awake on the morning 091297. At 0515 she heard an sound like an eksplosion. Direction: like it was komming from the space. Duration ca. 3 sec. Most powerfull in the beginning. She was not able to express herself very vell, but i was obviously that the sound was very ekstraordinary, not like an ordinary eksplotion. After ca. 1 minute a very powerfull vind arrived from east (not shure about delay and direction). Her outside laundry was bloving horisontal in the wind for about 5 minuts (not shure about duration). This wind was the only one this morning. The weather on this morning was starry and allmost vithout wind. *************** Poul Josefsen, radioekspert from lokal radio, told that he wake up that morning (091297) by a wery powerfull gust of wind like storm to hurricane. Duration about 30 sec. Direction: about south (not shure). Havent felt any earthcrake or eksplotion. *************** Source and interview by: Keld Rasmussen, Københavns Astronomiske Forening. keld-rasmussen@email.dk tlf: 45 888853 (incl. fax) mobil 40 361502 Look at the home page of Københavns Astronomiske Forening. http://www2.dk-online.dk/users/hpersson/kaf.htm Date: Mon, 22 Dec 1997 00:44:47 +0100 From: Keld Rasmussen Subject: Meteorite over Greenland 091297 About the event over Greenland on 091297 0510 following interviews was made on 191297. Marie Johnsen (Motzfelt), Fiskenfsset, (South of Nuuk) have told that she vas awake on the morning 091297. At 0515 she heard an sound like an eksplosion. Direction: like it was komming from the space. Duration ca. 3 sec. Most powerfull in the beginning. She was not able to express herself very vell, but i was obviously that the sound was very ekstraordinary, not like an ordinary eksplotion. After ca. 1 minute a very powerfull vind arrived from east (not shure about delay and direction). Her outside laundry was bloving horisontal in the wind for about 5 minuts (not shure about duration). This wind was the only one this morning. The weather on this morning was starry and allmost vithout wind. *************** Poul Josefsen, radioekspert from lokal radio, told that he wake up that morning (091297) by a wery powerfull gust of wind like storm to hurricane. Duration about 30 sec. Direction: about south (not shure). Havent felt any earthcrake or eksplotion. *************** Source and interview by: Keld Rasmussen, Kxbenhavns Astronomiske Forening. keld-rasmussen@email.dk tlf: 45 888853 (incl. fax) mobil 40 361502 Look at the home page of Kxbenhavns Astronomiske Forening. http://www2.dk-online.dk/users/hpersson/kaf.htm Date: Sun, 28 Dec 1997 16:14:55 -0500 (EST) From: Darryl Pitt Subject: Release I - Phillips Natural History Sale: Sunday, January 11th FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Greetings: The Phillips Natural History Auction will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 11th at Phillips Fine Arts & Auctioneers in New York City. There will be a comprehensive posting concerning this sale on Tuesday, December 30th. For immediate info or to purchase a four-color catalog please contact Phillips, toll free in the U.S (800) 825-2781, or outside the U.S. (212) 570-4830. Of the nearly 300 lots offered, fifty are meteorites. Many of the meteorites --including Murchison, Ibitira, and Kesen--will be sold without "reserves" (which is to say that all such lots will be sold regardless of the modesty of the highest bid). A limited number of free catalogs will be made available; check for the next Phillips posting late Tuesday, December 30th for details. Thank you. Darryl Pitt Date: Tue, 30 Dec 1997 13:05:02 -0500 (EST) From: Darryl Pitt Subject: phillips auction & free catalogue info - auction: sunday, jan. 11th The Phillips Natural History Sale will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 11th. Attendance is not necessary to participate. You may register an absentee bid, or participate in the bidding while on the phone with Phillips' personnel. THE AUCTION There are two hundred and fifty lots covering the spectrum of natural history in this offering. Included are fifty-five meteorite specimens; dinosauria--including most notably a baby pterodactyl; fossils--featuring a saber tooth cat; amber; exceptional minerals & fluorescent minerals; cut stones; The Jerusalem Egg Collection (850 species), which is the finest collection of carved mineral eggs in the world; insects; stone age tools; and dozens of other curiosities. EXHIBITION Viewings take place at Phillips / 406 East 79th Street / NYC Phillips is just east of First Avenue. Thursday, January 8th 10:00 a.m. -- 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 9th 10:00 a.m. -- 7:00 p.m. Saturday, January 10th 10:00 a.m. -- 6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 11th 9:30 a.m. --11:30 a.m. The auction commences one hour following the final viewing. METEORITES An array of meteorites both for beginning and sophisticated collectors will be offered. For the first time, many of the meteorites will be auctioned without reserves, which is to say that regardless of where the bidding stops, the specimen will be sold to the highest bidder. Meteorites without reserves include: Henbury, Heze, Bandong, Murchison, Tokio "b", Xingyang, Kesen, Ibitira, Karoonda, Millbillillie, select Gibeons and more. Other notable meteorites available at this offering include Parnallee (LL3), Wells (LL3), Tenham, Steinbach, Orange River, St. Michel, Divnoe (ACHONANOM), Khmelevka, Luotolax (AHOW), Pena Blanca Springs, the 1400+ pound Campo "El Iceberg," a 1400 gram amazingly beautiful new eucrite, an end piece of Kainsaz loaded with crust, a fascinating Sikhote individual which was seconds away from becoming two Sikhote individuals, a large Sikhote individual end piece, and encapsulated cut loss of Governador Valadares. A description of all the meteorite lots can be found at www.theskyisfalling.com Select the link "Phillips Auction - 1998." LIMITED NUMBER OF FREE CATALOGUES If you intend to participate in the auction and desire a catalogue, and you're among the first 100 individuals to reply to this email with your name and address, you will receive a catalogue free of charge. (To those of you who may already have ordered a catalogue at the special $15 fee previously indicated, you are entitled to a full credit; just indicate your entitlement in an email.) If you do not intend to participate in the auction, please refrain from participating in this free offering. We ask that you do this in fairness to those who wish to take part. Thank you. You may participate in the meteorite section of the auction without a catalogue merely by submitting a bid on the items desired. Just call Phillips toll free at (800) 825-2781 and provide the attendant with the lot number of the item(s) and the amount(s) you wish to bid or fax an Absentee Bid Form which appears with the meteorite descriptions for this auction. When providing an absentee bid, Phillips will act as your representative and secure the item for you at the lowest possible price up to the amount of your bid. For example, if you bid $450 on an item where the last bid recorded was $350, you would not pay $450, but the next bidding interval after $350--which is $375. For those of you who are interested in the catalogue primarily as an archival reference, they can be purchased for $25 prior to the sale and $10 following the sale. Again, each meteorite lot is fully described at www.theskyisfalling.com, by selecting the Phillips' link. Hoping that you've had an enjoyable holiday, and best wishes for the New Year. Please don't hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions or comments. Sincerely, Darryl Pitt