"IMO-News" mailing list archive (1999) ====================================== Date: Sun, 03 Jan 1999 20:50:33 -0400 From: Erwin van Ballegoij & Heidi van der Vloet Subject: Strange 'fireball' Dear reader of IMO-news On December 31 I was sitting with my wife and some friends in the garden, enjoying the fireworks on Aruba, when my wife noticed something strange. She saw a bright object moving horizontally. At first she thought this was some kind of firework. But because it stayed so much longer visible than ordinary fireworks, she drew my attention to it. It clearly was no firework. That wouldn't keep on moving horizontally so slowly without coming down and it wouldn't stay visible for such a long time. What did I see? At 23h44 local time a fireball with a head of magnitude -6 followed by a difuse luminous trail of magnitude -3 appeared. Both head and trail had an orange colour (like sodiumlights). The trail had a lenght of about 5 to 10 degrees and a width (at the end) of 10 arcminutes. It moved extremely slowly. To slow for a meteor and to fast for a satellite or airplane. It came from NE (or NNE) and moved through the E to the SE (or SSE). The object never came higher than 30 degrees and moved roughly horizontally. In the ESE the object showed a weak flare of magnitude -7 and then continued with the same brightness as before. When it came close to the horizon it became fainter. The fireball was visible for about 1 minute. What was this object? It couldn't be a meteor. Perhaps it was a satellite returning from orbit. But the direction of movement was a bit strange for a satellite. It should then be a polar satellite. There are not many such satellites. Does anybody know if a polar satellite returned in the atmosphere at Januari 1 3h44 UT. If so, please let me know! If you can offer me another explanation, please feel free to mail it to me. Yours Erwin van Ballegoij -- ********************************************** * Erwin van Ballegoij en Heidi van der Vloet * * Tarabanaweg 9 * * Oranjestad, Aruba * * tel: ++ 297 821918 * * e-mail: ballegoy@setarnet.aw * ********************************************** Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1999 23:03:57 +0900 From: kaze@tcp-ip.or.jp Subject: 1999 Radio Quadrantids in Japan ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// IMO-NET 1999 Radio Quadrantids in Japan Kazuhiro Suzuki and Kimio Maegawa ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// The Quadrantids meteor shower was very active at 20h-24h corresponding the solar longitude of 283.1-283.2 deg.(eq. 2000.0) on January 3 UT(UT=LT-9h), 1999 in Japan. The strong Quadrantids meteor activity was detected by monitoring forward-scattered meteor echoes of 50 MHz HAM radio wave (JA9YDB, 53.7500 MHz, 50W, operated by K.Maegawa.) at Toyokawa Meteor Observatory, Aichi, Japan. The all echoes(HR=230) remarkably increased to over 5 times of the usual (Hourly Rate=35-45) at 20h-24h UT and hourly rate of long(>20sec) echoes reached to 17(0-1, usual) at 21h-22h UT. Observer: Kazuhiro Suzuki HRO (Radio Meteor Observation using HAM) Location: Toyokawa Meteor Observatory (137.32 deg E, 34.81 deg N) Shiinoki, Toyokawa-city, Aichi, 442, JAPAN Transmitter: JA9YDB 53.7500 MHz, CW 50 W operated by K.Maegawa Transmitter: JA6YBR 50.0170 MHz, operated by Ham Club of Miyazaki Univ. Antenna: Dipole (height 7 m, to zenith) Method of echo sampling: After image procedure was done by PC with FFT software, echoes(>10 dB(S/N)) were counted. LT 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 UT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------- January,1999 1/ 23 23 34 39 40 45 49 38 39 31 29 26 25 22 21 15 19 10 11 13 18 20 15@21 2 2 1 2/ 42 30 29 41 42 47 48 47 32 34 23 23 25 29 19 18 15 16 13 13 14 19 24@18 1 1 1 3/ 31 29 38 43 42 44 41 52 30 37 43@46 36 32 27 22 18 12 16 10 16 14 33@27 1 1 1 1 1 2 4/ 44 82108129164205232204192134136116@83 85 32 28 17@18 3 5 4 12 11 17 12 14 6 9 4 4 5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- @symbol means corrected hourly rate. . up/down: hourly rate of all echoes / hourly rate of long(> 20 sec.) echoes Mail Sender: Kazuhiro Suzuki, Toyokawa, Aichi, Japan phone:+81-5337-6-2852 E-mail: kaze@tcp-ip.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm "Radio Meteor Data, JAPAN" Date: Tue, 05 Jan 1999 15:36:29 +0200 From: Mohammad Odeh Subject: JAS and 1999 Greetings, Glade to send u this E-mail from JAS at the beginning of the 1999. Happy new year, and hope it will be a great year for all of us. In this E-mail: 1- The Establishment of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS). 2- Observing meteors by radio 3- The Leonids '98 4- JAS' Leonids Contest 5- Islamic Crescents' Observation Project (ICOP). 6- JAS' home page. ===================================== 1- The Establishment of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS). With proud JAS organized an Arab conference in August 1998 to establish the AUASS. For more details please visit:- http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/union.html ===================================== 2- Observing meteors by radio. In 1998 JAS began to observe meteors by radio, we got interesting results during the leonids and draconids, for more information, please visit:- http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/radio.html ===================================== 3- The Leonids '98 Unexpectedly, Jordan was well-placed in 1998 to witness the Leonids '98 meteor shower, we observed it visually and by radio, more information can be found at: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/leo98.html ===================================== 4- JAS' Leonids Contest Answer some astronomical questions and have the opportunity to visit Jordan for free ! Today we just announced the winners and the answers of the first issue, this can be found at: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/cont1a.html , also the second issue is on-line now, so try to answer the question, this can be found at: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/contest.html ===================================== 5- Islamic Crescents' Observation Project (ICOP). This is a new project we just started. It is organized by the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS) and JAS. We highly welcome any participant in this project, regardless to his/her religion, experience, and location. To know more, please visit:- http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/icop.html ===================================== 6- JAS' home page. Many updates were done in our site at the start of 1999, please have a look at it, and let us know what u think ? ===================================== That's it. We will be grateful if u kindly inform ur friends and ur group's member of the JAS' Leonids contest, and about ICOP. And we will appreciate it a lot if u can add a link to these page. Hope u will enjoy browsing through our home page, and we always like to hear ur comments and suggestions. Best Regards Moh'd -- ********************************************************************** Mohammad Shawkat Odeh. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS). Member of JAS Administrative Board. P.O. Box 926932 Amman 11110 Jordan. odehjas@geocities.com http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/index.html (Personal URL) http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/jas.html (JAS URL) ********************************************************************** Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1999 15:11:10 +0100 (MET) From: Sirko Molau Subject: persistent Leonid trains Folks, I have put a sample of our persistent Leonid train recordings to the video pages of IMO at http://www.imo.net/video/vdemo5.html. Be aware that the files shown there are overall >1MB in size. Enjoy! Sirko Molau ---------------------------------------- Sirko Molau -- Video Commission Director International Meteor Organization e-mail: video@imo.net WWW : http://www.imo.net/video ---------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1999 18:56:07 +0100 From: delpsurf Subject: NEW METEOR PHOTO GALLERY SITE NOW OPEN To all Meteor Enthusiasts Hello I like to introduce a new DMS Internet site that has just opened. http://www.delpsurf.cistron.nl This site is maintained by the Delphinus Meteor Observation Group (one of the most active observation groups within the Dutch Meteor Society) On this site you can discover a less known facet of the DMS In-between the major observation projects we have time to do some Meteor astrophotography making the spectacular pictures On this site there is little to read but then there is more to see hear and to experience This is a site for people who like to experience the great pictures The Leonids Full Color Photo gallery is now open for public. Experience the thrills and excitement of the Leonid 1998 rain of fireballs Have fun Robert Haas DMS Delphinus Meteor Observation Team Note most of these pages are sound and graphic (animation, full Java) enhanced, so we recommend at least Netscape Navigator 3.0 or Internet Explorer 3.0 to best experience this site. Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1999 14:25:19 -0800 (PST) From: Peter Jenniskens Subject: workshop Please provide the information below to other interested parties. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT - 1. LEONID MAC WORKSHOP April 12-15, 1999 NASA/Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California INVITATION You are cordially invited to participate in an international workshop at NASA/Ames Research Center to discuss the recent Leonid observing campaigns. The Leonid meteor shower has offered unprecedented opportunity to address outstanding issues in Planetary Astronomy, Astrobiology, and the dynamics of the upper atmosphere. This workshop aims to bring that science in focus, make a tally of observational data from the recent November 1998 observing campaign, and make recommendations for the next campaign in November 1999. In particular, the workshop will discuss the first results from the Leonid Multi-Instrument Aircraft Campaign and related ground-based efforts. ABSTRACT AND REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Abstracts are due: March 1, 1999 - Registration: February 20 for foreign nationals March 1 for US nationals Automatic registration and submission of abstracts is available at: http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/workshops/ More information: peter@max.arc.nasa.gov -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preliminary program: The meeting will be held in the ballroom of the NASA/ARC Training Center at Moffett Field, California. Monday April 12 09:00-12:00 Session on the role of meteors in creating the conditions for life s origin on Earth Related issues: Astrobiology, atmospheric and surface conditions on the early Earth, formation of planetesimals. 14:00-17:00 Session on comet grain ejection and meteoroid stream dynamics Related issues: the activity of the shower in 1998, Leonid meteoroid influx, size distributions, and the satellite impact hazard. 17:00-18:00 News conference 17:00-20:00 Poster session and wine/cheese and buffet Tuesday April 13 09:00-12:00 Session on meteoroid composition and ablation Related issues: morphology and wake of meteoroids, organic matter in IDPs, organic matter on planetary surfaces, composition of comets, evaporation of silicates in proto-planetary environments. 14:00-17:00 Session on meteor-induced atmospheric chemistry Related issues: meteor physics, shock and impact chemistry, flash pyrolysis of organic matter, upper atmosphere composition and chemistry. 18:00-21:00 Group dinner Invited presentation: "meteors and sprites" Wednesday April 14 09:00-12:00 Session on physics and chemistry of neutral atom debris and particles Related issues: implications for the dynamics of the upper atmosphere, sprites, meteoric signature of stratosphere aerosols, the ozone problem, and iron catalysis of precursor molecules for life. 14:00-17:00 Plans and coordination for November 1999 Leonid MAC and ground-based campaigns in the form of presentation reflecting past campaign and future plans (including presentations of capacity available airborne platforms) followed by working sessions along themes above Thursday April 15 05:0-13:00 Site seeing tour - balloon tour over Napa valley to commemorate historic balloon flight in 1870 that viewed meteor shower above clouds 2. LEONID THREAT CONFERENCE If you have not done so, do not forget to register for the Leonid Meteor Storm and Satellite Threat Conference in Manhattan Beach, CA, which is held between May 11-13, 1999. The conference focusses on aspects of meteoroids and their effects on spacecraft. Further information: http://www.aero.org/conferences/leonid/ .......................................................................... Peter Jenniskens The SETI Institute e-mail: peter@max.arc.nasa.gov NASA Ames Research Center tel: (650) 604-3086 Mail Stop 239-4 fax: (650) 604-1088 Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 http://www-space.arc.nasa.gov/~leonid/ e-mail (attachments): pjenniskens@mail.arc.nasa.gov Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999 02:39:22 -0800 (PST) From: mihaela triglav Subject: meteors from Corona Borealis 21/22. 1. 1999 Hallo meteor observers, >From two observers in Slovenija Niko Stritof and Igor Grom, which were not observing meteors I got a news that they saw in the night 21/22. 1. 1999 around 10 meteors which were flying from the radiant in or somewhere near of the Corona Borealis. Those meteors they saw in aroud 2 or 3 hours - this were not the effective hours. They were observing from 1 UT in the morning. They say that the meteors was allmost as fast as Leoninds, but maybe a little slower. In the next night Igor didn't any similar meteors. Did anybody observed that night and see them? Clear skies, Mihaela Triglav Astronomical Association Javornik Slovenija _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 02:41:32 +0900 From: Hashimoto Takema Subject: Re: meteors from Corona Borealis 21/22. 1. 1999 Hello Mihaela, I have been payed attention to that activity in CrB. As far as I know, this shower is appeared during late in Jan. to early in Feb. and maximum is the biggining of the Feb. The HR is about 3 and activity area is Boo to CrB. The character is fast and faint. This shower was observed enhanced activity about HR=7 on Feb. 6, 1970 in Japan. Clear skies! Takema, On Wed, 27 Jan 1999 02:39:22 -0800 (PST) mihaela triglav wrote: > Hallo meteor observers, > > From two observers in Slovenija Niko Stritof and Igor Grom, which were > not observing meteors I got a news that they saw in the night 21/22. > 1. 1999 around 10 meteors which were flying from the radiant in or > somewhere near of the Corona Borealis. Those meteors they saw in > aroud 2 or 3 hours - this were not the effective hours. They were > observing from 1 UT in the morning. > They say that the meteors was allmost as fast as Leoninds, but maybe a > little slower. > > In the next night Igor didn't any similar meteors. > > Did anybody observed that night and see them? > > Clear skies, > > Mihaela Triglav > > Astronomical Association Javornik > Slovenija ----------------------------------- thashi@din.or.jp Hashimoto, Takema Minor Meteor Shower Circular(MMSC) URL : http://www.din.or.jp/~thashi/index_E.htm ----------------------------------- Nippon Meteor Society (NMS) Association of Meteor Observers in and around Tokyo Area (AMOTA) ----------------------------------- Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 20:47:28 +0100 From: delpsurf Subject: Leonid pictures To all Meteor Enthusiasts Hello I like to introduce a new DMS Internet site that has just opened. http://www.delpsurf.cistron.nl This site is maintained by the Delphinus Meteor Observation Group (one of the most active observation groups within the Dutch Meteor Society) On this site you can discover a less known facet of the DMS In-between the major observation projects we have time to do some Meteor astrophotography +ACI-making the spectacular pictures+ACI- On this site there is little to read but then there is more to see hear and to experience This is a site for people who like to +ACI-experience+ACI- the great pictures The Leonids Full Color Photo gallery is now open for public. Experience the thrills and excitement of the Leonid 1998 rain of fireballs Have fun Robert Haas DMS Delphinus Meteor Observation Team Note+ADs- most of these pages are sound+ACEAIQ- and graphic (animation, full Java) enhanced, so we recommend at least Netscape Navigator 3.0 or Internet Explorer 3.0 to best experience this site. Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1999 20:29:49 +0200 From: Mohammad Odeh Subject: Observing Meteors by Radio ! Greetings, On 11-12 February JAS organized the 24th Astronomical Camping to observe meteors by radio, and the camping was very successful, where we observed 813 meteors within 7 hours! If u r interested, kindly visit the below address. And we'll be glade to hear ur comments. http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/radio2.html Clear Skies Moh'd -- ********************************************************************** Mohammad Shawkat Odeh. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS). Member of JAS Administrative Board. P.O. Box 926932 Amman 11110 Jordan. odehjas@geocities.com http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/index.html (Personal URL) http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/jas.html (JAS URL) ********************************************************************** Date: Wed, 17 Feb 1999 12:59:59 +0100 From: Detlef Koschny Subject: New structure of ESA/SSD meteor web pages - aez-l Dear all, please note that I restructured the meteor-related web pages of our institute. Please update all links accordingly. Not all pages are in their final shape yet, but the structure won't change any more. Of course you are kindly invited to visit the pages and comment on them! All our pages can be accessed via the top page: "Meteor observations at ESA/SSD" at http://www.so.estec.esa.nl/planetary/meteors/index.html Specialized sites which you might have referenced before in my personal space (.../~dkoschny/...) were moved to: "Leonids 98 as observed by ESA/SSD" at http://www.so.estec.esa.nl/planetary/meteors/leonids98/index.html "The SIV Project - introduction and contents" http://www.so.estec.esa.nl/planetary/meteors/siv/index.html "ViDAS - The Video Data Archiving System for meteor data" http://www.so.estec.esa.nl/planetary/meteors/vidas/index.html There is also some new stuff on there, like a report on the Meteorendag 1999 which we hosted and more. Check it out! Bye, Detlef/Laffy ---------------------------------------------------------------- Detlef Koschny email: dkoschny@estec.esa.nl European Space Agency ESTEC Sci/SO Keplerlaan 1 phone: +31-71-565-4828 NL-2201 AZ Noordwijk ZH fax: +31-71-565-4697 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999 17:06:28 -0800 (PST) From: Peter Jenniskens Second announcement Leonid MAC Workshop / NASA-Ames Research Center / April 12-15, 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------------- This is to remind you that the deadline for registration for the Leonid MAC Workshop is coming up on: March 1. Automatic registration: http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/workshops/ Purpose of the workshop is to review the first results of the 1998 Leonid campaigns, both ground-based and airborne campaigns, discuss the relevant science, and make recommendations for the upcoming campaigns in November 1999 (in time to help the necessary preparations). Researchers from the fields of meteor physics, atmosphere science, planetary astronomy, and astrobiology are invited to attend, as well as those concerned with the satelite impact hazard of meteor storms. The meeting is international and open to amateurs. We anticipate an exciting 3-day meeting that is very interdisciplinary in nature and that will set the stage for the organisation of next year's campaigns, our last chance to witness a meteor storm in our lifetime. Sincerely, Dr. Peter Jenniskens LOC Leonid MAC Workshop (chair) .......................................................................... Peter Jenniskens The SETI Institute e-mail: peter@max.arc.nasa.gov NASA Ames Research Center tel: (650) 604-3086 Mail Stop 239-4 fax: (650) 604-1088 Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 http://www-space.arc.nasa.gov/~leonid/ e-mail (attachments): pjenniskens@mail.arc.nasa.gov Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999 18:56:13 +0200 From: Mohammad Odeh Subject: JAS' Leonids Contest Greetings, Answer some astronomical questions and have the opportunity to visit Jordan for free ! Today we just announced the winners and the answers of the second issue, this can be found at: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/cont2a.html . The third and LAST issue is on-line now, so try to answer the question. U may reach the contest from: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/contest.html We will be grateful if u kindly inform ur friends and ur group members of this contest. Thank u. Clear Skies Moh'd -- ********************************************************************** Mohammad Shawkat Odeh. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS). Member of JAS Administrative Board. P.O. Box 926932 Amman 11110 Jordan. odehjas@geocities.com http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/index.html (Personal URL) http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1092/jas.html (JAS URL) ********************************************************************** Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 11:44:13 +0100 (MET) From: Sirko Molau Subject: unusual meteor activity in early March? Hello folks, at the Leibnitz Institute for Atmospheric Physics in Germany a Lidar (= atmospheric laser) is operated to explore the uppermost parts of our atmosphere. A few years ago they have started to detects individual meteor trails in their data, and to measure the density of selected metal atoms and ions in these trails. At one observing session in early March 1997 clearly enhanced rates of meteor trails were observed, which is unusual, as there is no special activity expected at this time of year. This is why I would like to ask all visual observers to pay special attention to the nights around March 5. Please, tell us if or if not you observe enhanced rates in these nights, and send in your reports right after the observation to IMO's visual commissioner Rainer Arlt (visual@imo.net). Best regards, Sirko Molau ---------------------------------------- Sirko Molau -- Video Commission Director International Meteor Organization e-mail: video@imo.net WWW : http://www.imo.net/video ---------------------------------------- From AIRSPACEDT@aol.com Thu Mar 18 19:43:23 1999 Date: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 12:09:08 EST From: AIRSPACEDT@aol.com To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: Leonid photos? Greetings, We at Air & Space/Smithsonian magazine are preparing an article on the Leonids meteor shower last year, focusing on a USAF-sponsored mission to Mongolia to observe the shower. We are looking for good photos from around the world of the Leonids shower--single streaks, multiples, you name it. If anyone has such photos and is interested in submitting them, please contact me at wayneday@gwu.edu. We will cover the postage/FedEx costs and pay for all photos used. Sincerely, Dwayne Day Air & Space Smithsonian Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 19:12:34 +0100 (MET) From: Sirko Molau Subject: unusual activity in early March? Dear friends, about a month ago I asked for special attention in the nights around March 5. The reason was usual meteor activity that was reported from Lidar observations on the morning of March 7, 1997. Unfortunately, the weather was not very cooperative with most observers in 1999, and moon conditions were not favourable either. Still I received a number of interesting mails, which I want to summarize here. Hashimoto Takema wrote, that Japanese observers have been observing enhanced radio meteor rates between early March and early April with a maximum in late March. However, this is probably not connected to the phenomenon described by the Lidar operators, who observed enhanced rates in a single night only. Chris Steyaert was so kind to check the RMOB radio data of early March for unusual activity. Even though there are some weak structures in the graphs, none of them looks convincing or fits the time of the Lidar observation. Tim Cooper reminded me to the alpha Pyxisids, which showed quite strong activity in March 6/7, 1979. Still, also this shower cannot be the source we were looking for, as the radiant at -35 deg declination hardly rises above the horizon of the Kuehlungsborn observing site. Tim was also able to observe on March 7/8, 8/9 and 10/11, without noting something unusual, however. To cut the long story short: So far there is no convicing hint on distinct meteor activity in early March. I would like to thank those people who communicated their data and helped to clarify the situation. Best regards, Sirko Molau -- ************************************************************************** * Dipl.-Inform. Sirko Molau * * * RWTH Aachen, Lehrstuhl fuer Informatik VI * __ * * Ahornstr. 55, D-52056 Aachen, Germany * " 2B v 2B " * * * * * phone: +49-241-8021615 * Shakespeare * * fax : +49-241-8888219 * * * email: molau@informatik.rwth-aachen.de * * ************************************************************************** * www : http://www.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/I6/Colleagues/molau * ************************************************************************** Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 00:09:47 +0900 From: "Hashimoto, Takema" To: IMO-News Subject: A Leonid meteor stormlet in 1997. Hi all, A surprising Leonid meteor stormlet which was recorded by video with Image Intensifire in Mauna Kea, Hawaii, on November 17, 1997 now opens on NMS web site. URL is as below. http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/kinosi_e.html This movie is a 1.3MB AVI format file, which picture size is 320 x 240 and flame rate is about 30 flame/s. It was treated by Cinepack Codec. This article is as below. Kinoshita,M., Maruyama,M., and Sagayama,T., Preliminary activity of Leonid meteor storm observed with a video camera in 1997 GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 26, NO. 1, PAGES 41-44, JANUARY 1,1999 http://earth.agu.org/GRL/articles/1998GL900241/GL602W01.html http://earth.agu.org/GRL/articles/1998GL900241/GL602W01.pdf Clear skies!, Takema ----------------------------------- thashi@din.or.jp Hashimoto, Takema Minor Meteor Shower Circular(MMSC) URL : http://www.din.or.jp/~thashi/index_E.htm ----------------------------------- Nippon Meteor Society (NMS) Association of Meteor Observers in and around Tokyo Area (AMOTA) ----------------------------------- Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 18:40:15 -0500 From: Mark Davis Subject: 1998 NAMN Annual Report The 1998 Annual Report of the North American Meteor Network is now available at our website (address below). We had a great year in 1998, with 50+ observers contributing over 900 hours of observations! Thanks to all who participated in our work this past year!! Clear skies, Mark Davis, MeteorObs@charleston.net Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA Visual Program Coordinator North American Meteor Network & American Meteor Society ======================================================= NAMN: http://web.infoave.net/~meteorobs ======================================================= Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 03:28:07 -0400 From: Stephen Evans Subject: New web pages Hi everyone, The multiple station imaging group of the British Astronomical Association's Meteor Section now has it's own web pages at: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/stephenevans2 Please pay us a vist. If you like what you see (or even if you dont!) let us know. Cheers Steve Evans BAAMS Date: Tue, 06 Apr 1999 11:41:48 -0700 From: Robert Lunsford Subject: IMO "Who is Who" Update This summer we plan to publish an updated version of our "Who is Who" list. The last list was published in 1997. If any IMO member wishes to update their entry please contact me by June 30 at: secretary@imo.net A less detailed version is constantly updated and available for viewing on the IMO web site at: http://www.imo.net/whoiswho.html Sincerely, Robert Lunsford IMO Secretary-General Date: Thu, 08 Apr 1999 20:48:39 +0200 From: Mohammad Odeh Subject: News from JAS Greetings, In this E-mail:- 1- New URL 2- Mailing Lists 3- Recent Activities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1- New URL With proud we finally got our own domain name, which is: http://www.jas.org.jo All the previous pages still have the same name, but under the domain www.jas.org.jo/????.html. A redirect page is found at our old site. Please update any link u include in ur site to JAS. Also, we'll be grateful if u inform us about any error u could find at our site due to the transfer, and we will be glad to hear what u think of our site. Your views and comments r highly appreciated. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2- Mailing Lists We have our own mailing lists too. Currently we have two mailing lists:- a- JASnews@onelist.com b- JASlist@onelist.com To know more about them, please visit: http://jas.org.jo/list.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3- Recent Activities. Some of our latest activities, some of which are related to Meteors:- http://jas.org.jo/contest.html (JAS' Leonids Contest) http://jas.org.jo/union.html (Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences) http://jas.org.jo/arab.html (Astronomical Societies in the Arab World) http://jas.org.jo/icop.html (Islamic Crescents' Observation Project (ICOP)) http://jas.org.jo/hej19.html (20-hour crescent photo) http://jas.org.jo/leo98.html (JAS' results of the Leonids shower) http://jas.org.jo/radio.html (Observing Meteors by Radio) http://jas.org.jo/pen.html (Penumbral Lunar Eclipse 31 January 1999) http://jas.org.jo/deb.html (Aldebaran Occultation 22 March 1999) http://jas.org.jo/list.html (JAS' mailing lists) http://jas.org.jo/ship.html (JAS' membership) Clear Skies Moh'd -- ********************************************************************** Mohammad Shawkat Odeh. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS). Member of JAS Administrative Board. P.O. Box 926932 Amman 11110 Jordan. odeh@jas.org.jo http://Beam.to/odeh (Personal URL) http://www.jas.org.jo (JAS URL) ********************************************************************** Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 16:02:04 +0200 From: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Subject: March-April Meteor Research in the SPMN Dear colleagues, We send in this e-mail meteor observations and last news on our Spanish Photographic Meteor Network (SPMN), an iniciative of the Department of astronomy (University of Valencia) and SOMYCE. A compilation of our activities during 1998 will be published in WGN issue this year, specially remarkable can be the orbit of a Geminid fireball photographied past December by our team. The past March 21th was prepared a double station in the East of Spain between Benicassim and Pobla Tornesa (towns in the Castellon province). In april, we prepare a active campaign of Lirids. During the April 10-11th was developed a triple station between Pobla Tornesa-Pla d'Arguines-Guadalajara. The participating people was: Pedro Arranz, Julio Castellano, Antonio Gutierrez and myself. In the next weekend and during the night of the maximum activity the SPMN will establish new meteor stations in the East and center of Spain. Please note as an advance my meteor visual observations: Observer: Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez (IMO CODE: TRIJO) Dept. Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of València Member of SOMYCE and GEA Observing site: Benicassim, Castellon, Spain Longitude: E 0° 02' 19'' Latitude: 40° 01' 22''N , Altitude: 10 meters. March 21th 1999 METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F(clouds) B.Leo Virg SPO 0230-0400 1.45 5.70 1.00 1 1? 4 Center field of view: RA=225° Dec=+45° METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(number) Virginids:+3(1) Beta Leonids: +3(1) Sporadics: +2(1.5),+3(1.5),+4(1) ---- April 10-11th 1999 Observer: Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez (IMO CODE: TRIJO) Observing site: Pla d'Arguines, Castellon, Spain Longitude: 0° 23' 50'' W Latitude: 39° 45' 34''N , Altitude: 260 meters. METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F(clouds) MuVirg. ABoo. Virg. Lir. SPO 2227-0000 1.45 6.20 1.00 2 0 1 - 3 0000-0106 1.00 6.10 1.11 2 1 0 1? 6 Center field of view: RA=220° Dec=+15° METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(number) Mu Virginids: -3(1), +2(1), +3(0.5),+4(0.5),+5(0.5),+6(0.5) Alpha Bootids: +3(0.5),+4(0.5) Virginids:+5(1) Lirids: +3(1) Sporadics: -2(1),+2(0.5),+3(3),+4(1.5),+5(3) Best regards, ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez Department Astronomia i Astrofísica Universitat de València SOMYCE jmtrigo@ctv.es http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones : (+Spain Code) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 c/Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) ****************************************************************** Date: Fri, 9 Apr 1999 10:49:59 +0200 From: "Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Subject: Exact time of Leonids Photographies Dear Mr. Young, First all, my congratulations for the birth announced in your web. Possibly you remember that I'm working in the determination of 1966 Leonids ZHR's and spatial number densities from photographies. My first work on this subject will be published in the 1999 volume A&A as "The 1997 Leonids outburst". I'm working now in a second article comparing activity patterns based partially in your photographies but I need some data. Could you send me urgently the following information: -Site coordinates of Table Mountain Observatory where you has photographied Leonids storm. -Exact begin and end time of exposure to each photography in Universal Time (UT). And finally if you would be so kind, could you send me some information on the approx. site coord. of Lunar & Planetary Institute in Arizona where David Mc. Lean observed Leonids storm in 1966. Finally I invite other potential contributors of 1966 Leonids photographies to come into contact with me. At this moment I know only of photographies obtained during the outburst by Scott Murrell, David Mc. Lean and James W. Young. ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo-Rodriguez Dept. Astronomy & Astrophysics University of Valencia, SPAIN Planetari de Castelló jmtrigo@ctv.es http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones : (+Spain Code) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 c/Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) ****************************************************************** Date: Sat, 17 Apr 1999 14:47:09 -0700 (PDT) From: Nikola Bili^Zkov Subject: Article on ILW Croatia on BBC online Hello! There is an article about our Mongloian expedition from BBC news online! You can read it here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_321000/321596.stm _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 10:23:44 METDST From: Rainer Arlt Subject: IMO Shower Circ. LYRIDS 1999 ------------------------------------- I M O S h o w e r C i r c u l a r ------------------------------------- LYRIDS 1999 The number of Lyrid observations which have reached the Visual Commission is not large. Reports by 13 observers as listed below came in during the last week. We are very grateful to these quick reports allowing a first look at the 1999 Lyrid activity. The ZHR profile indicates slightly higher activity of the Lyrids in 1999 compared with most of the recent years which showed maximum activity of ZHR~15 to 20. However, 6 out of the 7 periods averaging to the highest ZHR of 32 in the early morning of April 23 comprise the reports of only two observers at the same location. If the enhanced activity is confirmed by additional observations, it would not manifest an outburst in the sense of the 1982 or older activity peaks, since those were very short in duration. The reports giving ZHR=32 cover the period April 22, 2315 -- April 23, 0216 UT and do not show a clear peak pattern. The centre at a solar longitude of 32.5 deg agrees moderately well with the maximum of the annual Lyrid activity between 32.0 and 32.4 deg. BAKLA Lars Bakmann (Denmark) EINSH Shlomi Eini (Israel) ENZFR Frank Enzlein (Germany) LEVAN Anna Levina (Israel) LINMI Mike Linnolt (USA) MARPI Pierre Martin (Canada) MIKMR Mark Mikutis (USA) MOUPH Philippe Moussette (Canada) NATSV Sven Nather (Germany) RENJU Jurgen Rendtel (Germany) STOWE Wes Stone (USA) VANER Erwin van Ballegoij (Aruba) YOUKI Kim Youmans (USA) ---------------------------------------------- Date Time Sollong nObs nLYR ZHR +- ---------------------------------------------- 1999/04/18 0820 27.9 4 10 6.1 3.8 1999/04/19 0400 28.7 8 15 3.0 1.5 1999/04/20 0255 29.6 11 30 4.8 1.8 1999/04/21 0045 30.5 6 28 7.9 3.0 1999/04/21 0815 30.8 6 21 6.5 2.8 1999/04/22 0225 31.5 6 33 22.7 7.9 1999/04/22 0715 31.7 5 28 14.9 5.6 1999/04/23 0045 32.5 7 50 32.4 9.2 1999/04/23 0855 32.8 4 41 11.8 3.7 1999/04/24 0850 33.8 2 6 5.7 4.7 ---------------------------------------------- Solar longitudes are given with respect to equinox J2000.0; the ZHR is computed with a population index r=2.9 and a zenith correction exponent of gamma=1. nObs is the number of observing periods in the average, it is not the number of different obser- vers contributing. nLYR is the number of Lyrids seen in these periods. --- Rainer Arlt, 1999 April 27. Date: Tue, 27 Apr 1999 11:52:46 +0200 From: "Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Subject: New Lirid data Dear colleagues, Mr. Arlt has announced in the IMO Circular an enhanced activity of Lirids. Also our team of the Spanish Photographic Meteor Network (PSMN) of SOMYCE has noted an important activity of Lirids in 1999. We organised several networks the past days to study the shower around the maximum (April 20-23th) but unfortunately the sky was cloudy. Only reliable data has been obtained in multiple stations developed the 18th and 25th April. These nights were also rich in Lirids. At this moment, I have available only my reduced data. We will send in the next days more data, including one observation of 21th April. Please note as an advance my meteor visual observations: Observer: Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez (IMO CODE: TRIJO) Dept. Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of València Member of SOMYCE and GEA Observing site: Benicassim, Castellon, Spain Longitude: E 0° 02' 19'' Latitude: 40° 01' 22''N , Altitude: 10 meters. April 17-18th 1999 METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F(clouds) LIR SLeo ABoo. MVirg SPO 0033-0200 1.40 6.10 1.00 4 2 0 0 1 0200-0400 1.90 6.10 1.11 6 0 2 1 12 Center field of view: RA=225° Dec=+15° METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(number) Lirids: +1(1),+2(1),+3(3),+4(3.5),+5(1),+6(0.5) Sigma Leonids: -2(1),+3(1) Mu Virginids: +3(1) Alpha Bootids: +3(1),+5(1.5), +6(0.5) Sporadics: -2(1 train 2s.),-1(1 train 1s.),+1(1),+2(3.5, two trained 1s.),+3(3),+4(1.5),+5(2) ------ April 24-25th 1999 METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F(clouds) LIR ASco ABoo PBoo EAc SPO 0220-0406 1.70 6.10 1.00 5 2 2 2 2 4 Center field of view: RA=240° Dec=+30° METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(number) Lirids: -1(1),+1(1),+3(1),+4(2) Alpha Bootids: -2(1),+3(1) Alpha Scorpids: -1(1 train 1s), 0(1) Eta Aquarids: +2(1), +4(1) Phi Bootids: +4(1), +5(1) Sporadics: -2(1), 0(1),+3(0.5),+4(1.5) Best regards, ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez Department Astronomia i Astrofísica Universitat de València SOMYCE jmtrigo@ctv.es http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones : (+Spain Code) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 c/Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) ****************************************************************** Date: Fri, 30 Apr 1999 09:05:16 +0200 From: "Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Subject: Additional Lirids observation from Spain Dear colleagues, I send a new observation of the Lirids 99 obtained by a member of the Spanish Photographic Meteor Network (PSMN) of SOMYCE. During April 20-21th the sky was cloudy in five stations of Castello and Valencia provinces and only one station noticed partially clear skies. The observer is beginning in meteor observations but he has reported reliable meteor data according IMO methodology. His meteor visual observations were: Observer: Rafael Ramirez Ramos (New proposed IMO CODE:RAMRA) Observing site: Casinos, Valencia, Spain Longitude: 0° 42' 33'' W ; Latitude: 39° 42' 02''N; Altitude: 300 meters. April 20-21th 1999 METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F(clouds) LIR SLeo ABoo. SPO 2300-0030 1.40 5.90 1.05 3 1 2 5 Center field of view: RA=210° Dec=+60° METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(number) Lirids: +1(1),+2(1),+5(1) Sigma Leonids: +3(1) Alpha Bootids: +3(1),+4(1) Sporadics: +2(1),+4(4) ------ ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez Department Astronomia i Astrofísica Universitat de València SOMYCE jmtrigo@ctv.es http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones : (+Spain Code) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 c/Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) ****************************************************************** Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 07:59:33 -0700 (PDT) From: Nikola Bili^Zkov Subject: Sonic booms related with Leonids Hello! Is it true that the Leonids can not produce sonic booms? If anyboby know something about it and where I can find information about it, let me tell. I need it URGENTLY! Did anybody record any sonic boom related with Leonids last year? I need URLs and references about it! Thanks, Nikola _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com Date: Tue, 4 May 1999 10:09:56 +0200 From: "Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Subject: More data on Lirids Dear colleagues, An important team of meteor observers has reported from Cuba additional information on Lirids activity the past April 22th. The following data indicates a moderate increase in the activity of this stream in 1999 just as has been reported by Rainer Arlt (IMO). Also it reveal an important sample of bright meteors. I have initiated this team in IMO methodology during the past year and as possibly you remember, its first detailed report was on Leonids 98. Best wishes, ----- IMO Summary Report Observer: Mileny Roche (IMO CODE: ROCMI) Amateur Group COSMOS Observing site: Guanabo River, Habana, Cuba Long(grad,m,s):82,04,30 Lat(grad,m,s):23,09,46 Alt: 7 Meters April 22th 1999 begin(UT): 8:21 end(UT): 9:21 METEOR SHOWERS Interval(UT) Teff Lm F(clouds) Lyr Spo 0821-0921 1 5,7 1,02 7 1 Center field of view:RA(h,m)=19,51 Dec(grad,m)=08,52 METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION:Magnitude versum number Lyrids: Magnitude -1(2),0(1),1(1),2(2),3(2) Sporadics: -1(1) IMO Summary Report Observer: Mileny Roche (IMO CODE: ROCMI) Amateur Group COSMOS Observing site: Guanabo River, Habana, Cuba Long(grad,m,s):82,04,30 Lat(grad,m,s):23,09,46 Alt: 7 Meters April 22th 1999 begin(UT): 9:21 end(UT):10:17 METEOR SHOWERS Interval(UT) Teff Lm F(clouds) Lyr Spo 0921-1017 0,92 5,7 1,05 7 2 Center field of view:RA(h,m)=19,51 Dec(grad,m)=08,52 METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION:Magnitude versum number Lyrids: Magnitude -3(1),-2(0),-1(1),0(1),1(0),2(2),3(3) Sporadics: 2(1),3(1) IMO Summary Report Observer: Monica de la Guardia (IMO CODE: GUAMO) Amateur Group COSMOS Observing site: Guanabo River, Habana, Cuba Long(grad,m,s):82,04,30 Lat(grad,m,s):23,09,46 Alt: 7 Meters April 22th 1999 begin(UT): 8:05 end(UT): 8:58 METEOR SHOWERS Interval(UT) Teff Lm F(clouds) Lyr Spo 0805-0858 0,88 5,7 1,05 5 1 Center field of view:RA(h,m,s)=18,37 Dec(grad,m,s)=38,47 METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION:Magnitude versum number Lyrids: Magnitude 0(1),1(2),2(2) Sporadics: 1(1) IMO Summary Report Observer: Monica de la Guardia (IMO CODE: GUAMO) Amateur Group COSMOS Observing site: Guanabo River, Habana, Cuba Long(grad,m,s):82,04,30 Lat(grad,m,s):23,09,46 Alt: 7 Meters April 22th 1999 begin(UT): 8:58 end(UT): 9:54 METEOR SHOWERS Interval(UT) Teff Lm F(clouds) Lyr Spo 0858-0954 0,93 5,8 1,06 9 2 Center field of view:RA(h,m)=18,37 Dec(grad,m)=38,47 METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION:Magnitude versum number Lyrids: Magnitude -1(3),0(2),1(1),2(3) Sporadics: 2(1),3(1) IMO Summary Report Observer: Monica de la Guardia (IMO CODE: GUAMO) Amateur Group COSMOS Observing site: Guanabo River, Habana, Cuba Long(grad,m,s):82,04,30 Lat(grad,m,s):23,09,46 Alt: 7 Meters April 22th 1999 begin(UT): 9:54 end(UT): 10:27 METEOR SHOWERS Interval(UT) Teff Lm F(clouds) Lyr Spo 0954-1027 0,55 6,1 1,1 4 1 Center field of view:RA(h,m)=18,37 Dec(grad,m)=38,47 METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION:Magnitude versum number Lyrids: Magnitude -1(1),0(3) Sporadics: -1(1) IMO Summary Report Observer: Erick Mota (IMO CODE: MOTER) Amateur Group COSMOS Observing site: Guanabo River, Habana, Cuba Long(grad,m,s):82,04,30 Lat(grad,m,s):23,09,46 Alt: 7 Meters April 22th 1999 begin(UT): 9:08 end(UT): 10:06 METEOR SHOWERS Interval(UT) Teff Lm F(clouds) Lyr Spo 0908-1006 0,97 6,1 1 13 2 Center field of view:RA(h,m)=18,37 Dec(grad,m)=38,47 METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION:Magnitude versum number Lyrids: Magnitude -1(3),0(5),1(2),2(2),3(1) Sporadics: -1(1),0(0),1(1) ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez Department Astronomia i Astrofísica Universitat de València SOMYCE jmtrigo@ctv.es http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones : (+Spain Code) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 c/Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) Date: Tue, 04 May 1999 13:07:56 -0400 From: Mark Davis Subject: NAMN Notes: May 1999 The May issue of the North American Meteor Network's "NAMN Notes" is now available on our home page. The address is: http://web.infoave.net/~meteorobs Clear skies! Mark Davis, MeteorObs@charleston.net Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA Coordinator, North American Meteor Network Date: Thu, 13 May 99 04:48:40 +0800 From: Stuart Saunders Subject: Real time sharing? Hello fellow starry eyed people. The 'season' has just begun, and I would like to suggest we make more use of the internet, specifically email, in real time. E.g. if we notice enhanced activity, expected or unexpected, we should as soon as possible make a quick message on this board. Not so long as to interrupt our viewing. It may be as simple as '^! 10.30 UT', or ' ^^^^^!! 13.45 UT! 15 / 4 / 99 Apha Centaurids'. We could use a five ^ rating, system, e.g., five ^^^^^ for a must see, down to a one ^ for 'something interesting'. That would allow us all to make better use of our time, yet still catch as many showers, etc, as possible. I live in a city with fairly polluted air; thus it requires a lot of effort to get to a good viewing zone, but it can be done in 2 - 3 hours. For a 4^^^^ or a 5 ^^^^^, it would be worth it, and possibly also for a three, if I'm not too busy. As things are, I miss almost everything. Also, with the Leonids last year, some real time information sharing may have indicated that the shower had peaked early, and some of the traffic jams we experienced here in Taiwan could have been eliminated. A lot of eyes and cameras are available, but can't watch all the time. How about it? I look forward to hearing others comments. Yours ^uplookingly ^, Stuart Saunders. stuart@ficnet.net Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 10:31:52 +0200 (MET DST) From: jrendtel@aip.de Subject: Real time sharing? Hi everybody, On May 13, Stuart Saunders wrote: > The 'season' has just begun, and I would like to suggest we make more use > of the internet, specifically email, in real time. > > E.g. if we notice enhanced activity, expected or unexpected, we should as > soon as possible make a quick message on this board. Not so long as to > interrupt our viewing. > > It may be as simple as '^! 10.30 UT', or ' ^^^^^!! 13.45 UT! 15 > / 4 / 99 Apha Centaurids'. > > We could use a five ^ rating, system, e.g., five ^^^^^ for a must see, > down to a one ^ for 'something interesting'. > > That would allow us all to make better use of our time, yet still catch > as many showers, etc, as possible. > > I live in a city with fairly polluted air; thus it requires a lot of > effort to get to a good viewing zone, but it can be done in 2 - 3 hours. > For a 4^^^^ or a 5 ^^^^^, it would be worth it, and possibly also for a > three, if I'm not too busy. As things are, I miss almost everything. > Also, with the Leonids last year, some real time information sharing may > have indicated that the shower had peaked early, and some of the traffic > jams we experienced here in Taiwan could have been eliminated. > > A lot of eyes and cameras are available, but can't watch all the > time. > > How about it? I look forward to hearing others comments. > > Yours ^uplookingly ^, > Stuart Saunders. > stuart@ficnet.net > Similar ideas were discussed already some years ago, but there are some facts which are against an alert system for meteor activity outbursts: The typical duration of an outburst is of the order of 1/2 hour; only exceptionally longer (June-Bootids, Leonid background). The lucky observer who witnesses such an outburst will follow the activity rather than go to the PC and mail a message. If he does, he will miss the event, and others read it only after it is over. Similar things happened in the past with the November Monocerotids. The only chance to get other observers involved is the use of a mobile phone and to call others in the same longitude range (country) while continuing to observe. Observers in other regions will either face daylight or the radiant below the horizon. Only if the activity continues after you had to finish observing (due to clouds, twilight, ...), a message can make sense. However, a rating is of no use, because the activity may vary within a very short time scale. Even if you know that an interesting meteor shower occurs, you have two choices - watch from light-polluted area and see the "bright part" of the display, or go to a darker site and see the "last part" of the display... I am afraid, this is not very encouraging. But even if you observe regularly, you may miss such events. As you said, one cannot watch all the (night-)time. That's why only an international network of observers can improve the chance that no unusual events are missed. Juergen Rendtel IMO President -- ************************************************************************ Juergen Rendtel Astrophysical Institute Potsdam jrendtel@aip.de Telegrafenberg A 27 Phone: (+49) 331 - 288 2327 (office) D-14473 Potsdam Fax: (+49) 331 - 288 2310 http://aipsoe.aip.de/~rend/rnl-p.html International Meteor Organization Arbeitskreis Meteore e.V. Phone: (+49) 33208 - 50753 (priv.) Seestr.6, D-14476 Marquardt ************************************************************************ Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 00:46:00 +0200 From: Casper ter Kuile Subject: Fwd: Re: Real time sharing? > > >>Hi everybody, >> >>On May 13, Stuart Saunders wrote: >> >>> The 'season' has just begun, and I would like to suggest we make more use >>> of the internet, specifically email, in real time. >>> >>> E.g. if we notice enhanced activity, expected or unexpected, we should as >>> soon as possible make a quick message on this board. Not so long as to >>> interrupt our viewing. >>> >>> It may be as simple as '^! 10.30 UT', or ' ^^^^^!! 13.45 UT! 15 >>> / 4 / 99 Apha Centaurids'. >>> >>> We could use a five ^ rating, system, e.g., five ^^^^^ for a must see, >>> down to a one ^ for 'something interesting'. >>> >>> That would allow us all to make better use of our time, yet still catch >>> as many showers, etc, as possible. >>> >>> I live in a city with fairly polluted air; thus it requires a lot of >>> effort to get to a good viewing zone, but it can be done in 2 - 3 hours. >>> For a 4^^^^ or a 5 ^^^^^, it would be worth it, and possibly also for a >>> three, if I'm not too busy. As things are, I miss almost everything. >>> Also, with the Leonids last year, some real time information sharing may >>> have indicated that the shower had peaked early, and some of the traffic >>> jams we experienced here in Taiwan could have been eliminated. >>> >>> A lot of eyes and cameras are available, but can't watch all the >>> time. >>> >>> How about it? I look forward to hearing others comments. >>> >>> Yours ^uplookingly ^, >>> Stuart Saunders. >>> stuart@ficnet.net >>> >>Similar ideas were discussed already some years ago, but there are >>some facts which are against an alert system for meteor activity >>outbursts: >> >>The typical duration of an outburst is of the order of 1/2 hour; >>only exceptionally longer (June-Bootids, Leonid background). The >>lucky observer who witnesses such an outburst will follow the >>activity rather than go to the PC and mail a message. If he does, >>he will miss the event, and others read it only after it is over. >>Similar things happened in the past with the November Monocerotids. >>The only chance to get other observers involved is the use of a >>mobile phone > >You can also e-mail whit an mobile phone a alert e-mail to imo news > Yours Robert Haas DMS Hi Robert and all other IMO-list members, I think both you and Jurgen are right. Many observers will try to communicate their observations to other observers in different locations on the planet. We nowadays have lots of technical means at our disposal: GSM with laptop at every observing site. But I agree with Jurgen I will not be sending e-mails when there is a Leonid-storm in the sky! Perhaps only one to mark the very beginning of the outburst but after that we will have to take care for our observations. At the end of the observing session we have plenty of time (...) to send lots of e-mails to all corners ot the earth. And to publish very first results on our websites. You and I have to be sure the photography and video-systems will be running smoothly at our respective locations. And not only that but we are also in charge for supplying exact timings of possibly photographed bright meteors. So please stick to only one e-mail when you still have some time left to do so. When twilight starts we will combine all observations and generate one e-mail message to let everybody know of our results. The contents of this e-mail will also be published at the website. Best wishes, Casper. >and to call others in the same longitude range >>(country) while continuing to observe. Observers in other regions >>will either face daylight or the radiant below the horizon. Only >>if the activity continues after you had to finish observing (due >>to clouds, twilight, ...), a message can make sense. However, a >>rating is of no use, because the activity may vary within a very >>short time scale. Even if you know that an interesting meteor >>shower occurs, you have two choices - watch from light-polluted >>area and see the "bright part" of the display, or go to a darker >>site and see the "last part" of the display... >>I am afraid, this is not very encouraging. But even if you observe >>regularly, you may miss such events. As you said, one cannot watch >>all the (night-)time. That's why only an international network >>of observers can improve the chance that no unusual events are >>missed. >> >>Juergen Rendtel >>IMO President >> >>-- >>************************************************************************ >>Juergen Rendtel Astrophysical Institute Potsdam >>jrendtel@aip.de Telegrafenberg A 27 >>Phone: (+49) 331 - 288 2327 (office) D-14473 Potsdam >>Fax: (+49) 331 - 288 2310 >>http://aipsoe.aip.de/~rend/rnl-p.html >> International Meteor Organization >> Arbeitskreis Meteore e.V. >>Phone: (+49) 33208 - 50753 (priv.) Seestr.6, D-14476 Marquardt >>************************************************************************ >> > Casper ter Kuile, Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) Akker 145, NL-3732 XD, De Bilt, The Netherlands Tel. +(31)-30-2203170, Fax. +(31)-30-2202695 GSM-BEN: +(31)-6-24242445, GSM-KPN: +(31)-6-53270844 E-mail_1: pegasoft@accu.uu.nl E-mail_2: dms-web@wxs.nl DMS website: http://home.wxs.nl/~dms-web/index.html Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 08:47:07 +0200 From: "Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Subject: RE: Real time sharing? Dear IMO colleagues, >>On May 13, Stuart Saunders wrote: >>> How about it? I look forward to hearing others comments. A detailed analysis of meteor outbursts could be very interesting in the future. We have only one possibility to increase the number of potentially observers, a short communication between IMO members using mobile phones as has been proposed by Robert Haas. For example we can to establish a telephonic chain between some IMO responsibles in different countries. Only one call by person could be sufficient to alert a increasing team of observers in all Europe! I think that more interesting people to form part of the chain are experienced IMO members placed out of urban zones. It only requires a little organization of the chain. In the case of anormal (but moderate) activity of meteor showers I think that if we send a short message to IMO list immediately afterwards the observation, it could be a good inducement to increase the number of observers in the following solar longitudes. An example could be the past Lirids, June Bootids, etc...A fine lot of observers informed of meteor outbursts can increase the effective time by campaign and, consequently, the intrinsic value of the IMO meteor research. . >>The only chance to get other observers involved is the use of a >>mobile phone You can also e-mail whit an mobile phone a alert e-mail to imo news > Yours Robert Haas DMS [Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez] Of course! I think both you and Jurgen are right. But I agree with Jurgen I will not be sending e-mails when there is a Leonid-storm in the sky! [Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez] Of course not!... but a short alert call could be sufficient! Perhaps only one to mark the very beginning of the outburst but after that we will have to take care for our observations. At the end of the observing session we have plenty of time (...) to send lots of e-mails to all corners ot the earth. And to publish very first results on our websites. [Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez] Yes, but and if our team is the single...and the data are reduced and imcomplete as just now? I think that we should use IMO organisation to establish an international team of meteor research. You and I have to be sure the photography and video-systems will be running smoothly at our respective locations. And not only that but we are also in charge for supplying exact timings of possibly photographed bright meteors. So please stick to only one e-mail when you still have some time left to do so. [Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez] Regards, ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez Department Astronomia i Astrofísica Universitat de València SOMYCE jmtrigo@ctv.es http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones : (+Spain Code) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 c/Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) ****************************************************************** Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 18:23:10 +0500 (GMT+0500) From: "Ask Astronomer (arp)" Subject: RE: Real time sharing? Dear IMO friends, On the issue of real time sharing and passing the information quickly about any increasing in activity I would like to suggest that we should join hands with the HAMs. I wrote to you on this issue around Leonid '98 but at that time some thing funny was happening and people were getting empty mails (this also had resulted in me getting some "tough" mails). HAMs are amateur wireless operators and they too enjoy their hobby just like us except that to be able to communicate by wireless one is required to take a licence from respective governments. Once you get the licence (you also get a call sign) you can talk to other HAMs all over the world -- and of course free of charge. During special events a chain of HAMs pass the information from one to another. Since the meteors do affect communication HAMs are interested in meteors too. A few years ago two hams - one from India and the other in Kazakistan (I think) carried out a communication excercise during the Quadrantide shower. Well the moral of the story is let us and HAMs get together. If you know some HAM you may ask him/her to contact VU2VPR (OM Vilas) he had been quite active HAM for many years. I further suggest that let us all meet on the AIR say on 12th of June (enough time to organize). I can organize our boyes. In fact we (meteor observer's group) are going to a place called Lonar which is a site of impact crater. This crater is filled with water. And if we all agree then we can have ralley on the air. Regards Arvind ------------------------------------------ Arvind Paranjpye Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics Post Bag 4, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411 007 INDIA Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 14:04:15 -0400 From: Lew Gramer Subject: IMO-NEWS Re: Real time sharing? There is an ongoing dicussion over the official mailing list of the International Meteor Organization ("imo-news"), at to how real-time meteor alerts can best be distributed around the world. Thus for example, if a sudden outburst of a meteor shower is observed, how can those who witness it best notify other potential observers of the ongoing event? Until now, discussion focused on the appropriateness of using the IMO-NEWS list itself. Now however the topic seems to be branching into areas I thought might be of interest to 'meteorobs' readers... (Message forwarded without permission.) Clear skies! Lew Gramer Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 15:02:30 +0300 From: Mohammad Odeh Subject: JAS Activities and Observations !! Hello ! JAS has ended the JAS' Leonids Contest, at which a winner from Netherlands won the GRAND prize, which is a free visit to Jordan during the Leonids '99. More information about that as well as other news can be found below. In this email:- ------------- There r many news, but I believe u should find several ones of ur interest ! 1- Comet LEE is green as photographed by JAS ! 2- JAS' observed the 35-hour WANING crescent for 45 minutes after the sunrise !! 3- Watch the 99 Solar eclipse from Iraq ! 4- JAS is supervising 19 astronomy clubs in schools !! 5- JAS' Membership 6- Get our weekly lectures by email. 7- The winners of the Third & Last JAS' Leonids Contest. 8- Articles written for JAS. 9- Services by JAS. 10- Contact AUASS. 11- JAS' Mailing Lists ============================================== 1- Comet LEE is green as photographed by JAS ! During our 25th astronomical camping (The Silver Jubilee !!) in the Jordanian desert, we could easily spot Comet Lee, where it appeared as a green fuzzy ball in our photographs. For more information please visit:- http://www.jas.org.jo/jub.html ============================================== 2- JAS' observed the 35-hour WANING crescent for 45 minutes after the sunrise !! It seems that our 25th astronomical camping was special !! Where in that camping we were able to track the 35-hour waning crescent by telescope until about 45 minutes after the sunrise. I must say, it was a very hard job ! By the way, in the 25th camping we observed other 50 objects in the sky !! For more information please visit:- http://www.jas.org.jo/jub.html ============================================== 3- Watch the 99 Solar eclipse from Iraq ! The University of Mosul (In Iraq) organizing an astronomical & astrophysical conference and observation activities during the period 9-12 August. U r invited !! So have a look please at: http://www.jas.org.jo/sol99.html ============================================== 4- JAS is supervising 19 astronomy clubs in schools !! One of our most important aims is to spread the astronomical knowledge among the school students, and so far we successfully established and supervising 19 astronomy clubs in different schools. For more details, kindly visit:- http://www.jas.org.jo/clubs.html ============================================== 5- JAS' Membership Do u wish to be a JAS' member ? If so then kindly visit: http://www.jas.org.jo/ship.html ============================================== 6- Get our weekly lectures by email. Now just by sending an empty email to: jas.lec@apexmail.com , u will get our weekly lectures for the current month. Try it !! mailto:jas.lec@apexmail.com ============================================== 7- The winners of the Third & Last JAS' Leonids Contest. Today we have declared the winners of the Third & Last JAS' Leonids Contest. Including the winner of the GRAND prize, which is a free visit to Jordan. To see the winners in all the contests, kindly visit: http://www.jas.org.jo/contest.html. Also, we truly thank all who assisted us in the contest by offering the prizes. We really appreciate their favor. ============================================== 8- Articles written for JAS. This is a new section introduced at our site, in which several scientists or amateurs write astronomical articles at our site. However, it is still the beginning, and we invite any interested friend to write for us ? For more information please visit:- http://www.jas.org.jo/article.html ============================================== 9- Services by JAS. Also, we care about our visitors, where we offer them a real good services, to see them kindly visit:- http://www.jas.org.jo/service.html ============================================== 10- Contact AUASS. The Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS) has a residence now, and u may contact it by the addresses found at:- http://www.jas.org.jo/conaua.html ============================================== 11- JAS' Mailing Lists As announced earlier, we have just established several mailing list, and we eagerly wait ur participation !! To subscribe in any of them, please visit:- http://www.jas.org.jo/list.html ============================================== That's it for now. I guess quit enough :-). We always do appreciate ur comments on our activities, so please let us hear from u ...... Comments..... Suggestions..... New Ideas..... etc. Clear Skies Moh'd -- ********************************************************************** Mohammad Shawkat Odeh. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS). Member of JAS Administrative Board. P.O. Box 926932 Amman 11110 Jordan. Fax: (001)(707) 221-0918. odeh@jas.org.jo http://Beam.to/odeh (Personal URL) http://www.jas.org.jo/ (JAS URL) ********************************************************************** Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 15:00:49 +0300 From: Mohammad Odeh Subject: Re: Real time sharing? Greetings, I tend to agree with mr. Saunders. Although Mr. Juergen gave convincing problems, such as the observer will NOT leave the great show in the sky to inform the others ! Or some observers will get the message late. but let us take the last Leonids peak as an example ! Where I couldn't attend our society's camping in the desert due to my exams. So, I stayed at Amman (Capital of Jordan) at that time, and at about 11 pm I was talking with Mr. Werfried who was observing visually and by radio, and as he brought my attention to the unexpected peak ! I went to observe the show from my light polluted area, and I did realize that there was a real thing happening in the sky ! Directly I sent an email to both; this mailing list and to Meteorobs. in which I mentioned the peak !!! I believe that many observers made use of such quick alert ! We don't have to inform all the observers about the high-activity of meteors ! I tend to believe that there will be persons to send such alerts, and there will be receivers as well. Also those who can know the subject of the email received by their mobile telephone will find such alerts in a great usefulness. Although most outbursts r short-lived, but an alert about such past Leonids background will be MUCH appreciated !! I don't think any one can forget that great show if he/she was observing at that time !!! At least let us try it ?? Such symbol could be fine: ' ^^^^^!! 13.45 UT! 15/ 4 / 99 Apha Centaurids'. Best Wishes Moh'd -- ********************************************************************** Mohammad Shawkat Odeh. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS). Member of JAS Administrative Board. P.O. Box 926932 Amman 11110 Jordan. Fax: (001)(707) 221-0918. odeh@jas.org.jo http://Beam.to/odeh (Personal URL) http://www.jas.org.jo/ (JAS URL) ********************************************************************** Date: Fri, 04 Jun 1999 08:00:27 -0400 From: Mark Davis Subject: Back Issues of NAMN Notes The June issue of NAMN Notes has been posted to the website of the North American Meteor Network. The previous five issues are also located there. The address to the site is: http://web.infoave.net/~meteorobs -Mark Davis Date: Mon, 07 Jun 1999 14:19:58 +0200 From: Luigi Foschini Subject: New Expedition in Tunguska I would like to inform you that the Department of Physics of the University of Bologna, jointly with the Astronomical Observatory of Torino and the Institute of Marine Geology of CNR in Bologna, is organizing a new scientific expedition, that next july will go in the Tunguska region to investigate what happened during the famous event of June 30, 1908. You can find more details about the expedition, the participants, photos, and other at the Tunguska Home Page at the University of Bologna: http://www-th.bo.infn.it/tunguska/ Thank you very much for your attention. For the Tunguska99 Press Office: Dr. Luigi Foschini CNR - ISAO (formerly FISBAT and IMGA) Via Gobetti 101, I-40129 Bologna (Italy) Tel. +39 0516399620; Fax +39 0516399654 E-mail: L.Foschini@isao.bo.cnr.it URL: http://www.isao.bo.cnr.it/~dinamica/ Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 00:46:00 +0200 From: Casper ter Kuile Subject: Fwd: Re: Real time sharing? >Delivered-To: pegasoft@hydra.accu.uu.nl >From: "delpsurf" >To: "Juergen Rendtel" , >Cc: "Juergen Rendtel" >Subject: Re: Real time sharing? >Date: Sun, 6 Dec 1998 00:01:18 +0100 >X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.5 > > >-----Oorspronkelijk bericht----- >Van: Juergen Rendtel >Aan: imo-news@imo.net >CC: Juergen Rendtel >Datum: vrijdag 21 mei 1999 17:41 >Onderwerp: Real time sharing? > > >>Hi everybody, >> >>On May 13, Stuart Saunders wrote: >> >>> The 'season' has just begun, and I would like to suggest we make more use >>> of the internet, specifically email, in real time. >>> >>> E.g. if we notice enhanced activity, expected or unexpected, we should as >>> soon as possible make a quick message on this board. Not so long as to >>> interrupt our viewing. >>> >>> It may be as simple as '^! 10.30 UT', or ' ^^^^^!! 13.45 UT! 15 >>> / 4 / 99 Apha Centaurids'. >>> >>> We could use a five ^ rating, system, e.g., five ^^^^^ for a must see, >>> down to a one ^ for 'something interesting'. >>> >>> That would allow us all to make better use of our time, yet still catch >>> as many showers, etc, as possible. >>> >>> I live in a city with fairly polluted air; thus it requires a lot of >>> effort to get to a good viewing zone, but it can be done in 2 - 3 hours. >>> For a 4^^^^ or a 5 ^^^^^, it would be worth it, and possibly also for a >>> three, if I'm not too busy. As things are, I miss almost everything. >>> Also, with the Leonids last year, some real time information sharing may >>> have indicated that the shower had peaked early, and some of the traffic >>> jams we experienced here in Taiwan could have been eliminated. >>> >>> A lot of eyes and cameras are available, but can't watch all the >>> time. >>> >>> How about it? I look forward to hearing others comments. >>> >>> Yours ^uplookingly ^, >>> Stuart Saunders. >>> stuart@ficnet.net >>> >>Similar ideas were discussed already some years ago, but there are >>some facts which are against an alert system for meteor activity >>outbursts: >> >>The typical duration of an outburst is of the order of 1/2 hour; >>only exceptionally longer (June-Bootids, Leonid background). The >>lucky observer who witnesses such an outburst will follow the >>activity rather than go to the PC and mail a message. If he does, >>he will miss the event, and others read it only after it is over. >>Similar things happened in the past with the November Monocerotids. >>The only chance to get other observers involved is the use of a >>mobile phone > >You can also e-mail whit an mobile phone a alert e-mail to imo news > Yours Robert Haas DMS Hi Robert and all other IMO-list members, I think both you and Jurgen are right. Many observers will try to communicate their observations to other observers in different locations on the planet. We nowadays have lots of technical means at our disposal: GSM with laptop at every observing site. But I agree with Jurgen I will not be sending e-mails when there is a Leonid-storm in the sky! Perhaps only one to mark the very beginning of the outburst but after that we will have to take care for our observations. At the end of the observing session we have plenty of time (...) to send lots of e-mails to all corners ot the earth. And to publish very first results on our websites. You and I have to be sure the photography and video-systems will be running smoothly at our respective locations. And not only that but we are also in charge for supplying exact timings of possibly photographed bright meteors. So please stick to only one e-mail when you still have some time left to do so. When twilight starts we will combine all observations and generate one e-mail message to let everybody know of our results. The contents of this e-mail will also be published at the website. Best wishes, Casper. Casper ter Kuile, Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) Akker 145, NL-3732 XD, De Bilt, The Netherlands Tel. +(31)-30-2203170, Fax. +(31)-30-2202695 GSM-BEN: +(31)-6-24242445, GSM-KPN: +(31)-6-53270844 E-mail_1: pegasoft@accu.uu.nl E-mail_2: dms-web@wxs.nl DMS website: http://home.wxs.nl/~dms-web/index.html Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 20:51:52 +0200 From: José María Fernández Andújar Subject: A question Dear friends; I am interested in software to study of meteorites. I only know the calculation of THZ to study of the meteoric tube. Do others algoritms exist? I have designed a "new" algorithm to study of the meteoric tube , perhaps others algoritms more new than THZ already exist. Could somebody explain me wich mathematical tools are used in the study of meteorites? Very thanks Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 15:55:49 +0100 From: Alastair McBeath Subject: 1999 Beta Taurids Alert - Possible Swarm Appearance 1999 Beta Taurids Alert - Possible Swarm Appearance >From Alastair McBeath, IMO Vice-President, e-mail: vice_president@imo.net In 1993 David Asher presented a paper to the International Meteor Conference in Puimichel [1] describing a theoretical resonant swarm of particles within the Taurid/Beta Taurid stream which could account for various meteor shower enhancements, increased fireball fluxes and even meteoritic impacts associated with the Taurid Complex of meteoroid streams, asteroids and comets. He used this theory to suggest times when future returns of the proposed "swarm" might lead to increased activity from the nighttime Taurid showers active in October-November, and the daytime Beta Taurids of June-July. He suggested that 1999 could see a return of the swarm during the Beta Taurid activity period, which is the purpose of this reminder warning now. Results from late October 1998 [2] suggested an enhanced Taurid period had been detected by radio and visual observers in the closing days of the month, along with an increased flux of minor Taurid fireballs (magnitudes -3 to -8). Another of David's predictions for the swarm was that a recurrence might be expected in October-November 1998, which may well be what was recorded. The Beta Taurids are usually assumed to last from about June 5 to July 17, reaching an ill-defined single maximum around June 28 (solar longitude 96.7 degrees (all solar longitudes given here are for eq. J2000.0)) from a radiant at approximately alpha = 086 degrees, delta = +19 degrees. There is some disagreement in the published data on the shower concerning most of these parameters however (cf. [3]). Most authors suggest a lengthy, flat maximum occurs in late June to early July. Forward scatter radio results from 1994-1997 [4] indicated a moderate-strength echo count enhancement occurred between roughly solar longitudes 91-93 degrees, with signs of weaker activity bracketing this "peak" between solar longitudes 89-99 degrees. It is not clear if this activity belongs to the Beta Taurids, nor whether this represents a shift in the maximum time by several days if so, but the 89-99 degrees spell is at least comparable in length to the Taurid maximum time in early November. From their orbital parameters, it is clear the Taurids and Beta Taurids are linked, either as two encounters by the Earth with the same stream, or as two separate streams which follow very similar orbits, so it is not unreasonable we may extrapolate details for the Beta Taurids from what we know of the Taurids. If we can do this, it is possible any swarm enhancement of the Beta Taurids this June might occur up to 5-8 days before the expected maximum, following the relative timings of events seen last October. To identify what happens with the Beta Taurids this year, whether a swarm event or not, I would suggest radio observers should be especially alert between June 18-19 through to July 2-3 at least (still later in July might be better, as some earlier results suggested a Beta Taurid maximum around July 2 or 3; this has not been found in data from the 1990s so far, however), as continuously as possible. This should cover whatever the shower produces and also provide non-peak data for calibration. Ideally, 24-hour-a-day monitoring should be carried out, but if this is not possible, try to make your observing runs at the same time every day. The Beta Taurid radiant is above the horizon between roughly 03-04h local time to about 18-19h, for northern hemisphere sites between approximately 35-55 degrees north near June 28. There are likely to be problems because of Sporadic-E interference, other atmospheric events (storms, etc.), and potentially Auroral-E as activity builds in Solar Cycle 23. Times when any of these occurred should also be included in your reports. Furthermore, there is the possibility that the June Bootids, which produced their sudden, and quite unexpected, outburst on 1998 June 27-28, may recur this year (again on June 27-28 if their timing is the same as in 1998). So far, it has not been possible to say why the Bootid outburst happened last June, so telling when another one might transpire is presently impossible. The overlap in radio-visibilities between the Beta Taurids and the June Bootids is significant for sites north of about +45 degrees latitude, which created problems in analysing the Bootid outburst by radio in 1998. This means any unexpected radio peak around June 28 this year need not have resulted from the Beta Taurids. Only careful analysis of a large enough body of data will reveal this. Non-radio observers are faced with a very difficult prospect, because the centre of the Beta Taurid radiant is just 10 degrees or so west of the Sun on June 28. Tropical or near-equator observers might possibly see a few slow-moving shower fireballs in the strong predawn twilight an hour or two before sunrise at some point during the dates given above, if anything unusual happens from the shower this year. As even the outer fringes of the radiant will be on or below the horizon however, the meteors will probably have exceptionally long paths across the sky. For particularly northern hemisphere observers, there is the additional possibility that a few daylight fireballs might occur if a swarm appearance manifests. This is because the Beta Taurid radiant will be high to very high above the horizon for a large part of the day near the shower's expected best from such places. Those who routinely handle the American DoD satellite reports which feature especially brilliant meteors (Zdenek Ceplecha's "superbolides") should pay particular attention to any events that occur during the late June to early July period as well; an increased flux could represent something unusual from the Beta Taurids. Although the nighttime Taurids do not have much of a reputation for producing these especially brilliant fireballs, the Beta Taurids may be capable of doing so, assuming for example that the major clustering event of lunar impacts, detected by the Apollo programme's seismometers, of about ten days' duration centred on 1975 June 22 was due to this source. There are of course no guarantees that anything unusual will happen from the Beta Taurids this year, but even establishing that no swarm recurrence happened in 1999 June-July with some degree of certainty would help refine David Asher's model of the Taurid Complex swarm. Even a swarm appearance is not guaranteed to produce spectacularly high rates or dozens of bright meteors. If the 1998 late October Taurid event was due to a recurrence of the swarm, it should be noted that the visual ZHRs from the shower were enhanced only to the level of normal maximum rates (combined ZHRs ~9-10; usually no better than ~5-7 in late October), while the Taurid fireball percentage was roughly double that in normal years. Observations should be submitted to all the usual places you routinely do, but copies can also be e-mailed to me as well. Please bear in mind that I am still most unwell however (as noted in WGN 27:2), so do not expect a rapid response. Good luck, and clear, Sporadic-E-free skies for your data collection! References: [1] D. Asher, "Meteoroid Swarms and the Taurid Complex", in: "Proceedings IMC, Puimichel 1993", ed. P. Roggemans, IMO, 1993, pp.88-91. [2] A. McBeath, "SPA Meteor Section Results: September-October 1998", WGN (in press). [3] G. W. Kronk, "Meteor Showers: A Descriptive Catalog", Enslow, 1988, pp.115-118. [4] A. McBeath, "The Forward Scatter Meteor Year", in: "Proceedings IMC, Petnica 1997", eds. A. Knoefel & A. McBeath, IMO, 1998, pp.39-54. Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 10:30:13 +0200 From: "Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Subject: Pons-Winneckids Dear colleagues, A team of the Spanish Photographic Meteor Network (PSMN) of SOMYCE has observed in the same solar longitude where the past year appeared an important activity from Pons-Winneckids radiant. The observers were Julio Castellano (26th June), Antonio Gutierrez and myself. The past two days we have covered global meteor activity but Pons-Winneckids activity was low or unexistent. At this moment, I have available only my reduced data. Please note as an advance my meteor visual observations: Observer: Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez (IMO CODE: TRIJO) Dept. Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Valencia Member of SOMYCE and GEA Observing site: Pic Bartolo, Benicàssim, Castellon, Spain Longitude: E 0° 02' 40'' Latitude: 40° 04' 55''N , Altitude: 390 meters. June 27th 1999 METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F(clouds) PW SPO 2033-2130 1.13 5.60 1.00 1? 2 Center field of view: RA=195° Dec=+40° METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(number) Pons-Winneckids: +4(1) Sporadics: +2(1, trained 1s.),+3(1) Best regards, ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez Department Astronomia i Astrofísica Universitat de València SOMYCE jmtrigo@ctv.es http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones : (+Spain Code) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 c/Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) ****************************************************************** Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 16:50:26 +0200 From: Lars Bakmann Subject: Pons-Vinneckids Despite the nearly impossible circumstances,( the Moon and lat. 56 deg.) I tried to carry out an observation of the June- Bootides ( Pons - Vinneckids ). High activity should at least show some few meteors,but the June - Bootides where not detectable here from Denmark. Observer : Lars Bakmann ( BAKLA ) The Danish meteor section, Astronomical Society Denmark Observing site : Tirstrup, 8400 Ebeltoft Denmark Long. 10 deg 41`42`` Lat. 56 deg. 17` 30`` Date UT Teff Lm F PW SP June 27/28 2200 - 2300 1.0 4.0 1.0 0 0 Best regards Lars Bakmann Date: Fri, 02 Jul 1999 14:12:59 +0100 From: Alastair McBeath Subject: Leonid video outburst over Hawaii, 1997 November Leonid video outburst over Hawaii, 1997 November From: Alastair McBeath, IMO Vice-President; e-mail: vice_president@imo.net Some of you may recall reading about this unusual event in late 1997 or early 1998. I recently received a copy paper on it from Masao Kinoshita, one of the observers and authors, and because of its potential importance particularly to video meteor observers and analysts, those people involved in Leonid stream modelling, and those who take an interest in unusual meteoric phenomena, I draw your attention to it here. The paper is: "Preliminary activity of Leonid meteor storm observed with a video camera in 1997", by Masao Kinoshita, Takuya Maruyama & Toru Sagayama, Geophysical Research Letters volume 26:1, pages 41-44 (1999 January 1). The abstract reads as follows: "Optical meteor observations were carried out in Mauna Kea, Hawaii, in November 1997, in order to investigate the activity of Leonid shower under strong moon shine. We report a spectacular event of a meteor burst, with 100-150 meteors in only two seconds, observed at the time of descending node of the comet at 13:31 UT on November 17, 1997. From a preliminary analysis, the spread of the meteors in the orbit are estimated to be approximately 100 km along the trajectory and 50 km in the lateral direction. This observed meteor rate is comparable to the maximum hourly rate reported in 1966. The video camera observation shown here can be very useful for observations during the forthcoming strong Leonid meteor storm." I must note here that the outburst was observed only by video camera, however. Photographic cameras active simultaneously recorded only a couple of meteors, while the visual observer reported seeing just one meteor (a magnitude -2 event, the brightest detected). This means that a direct comparison with the visually-estimated ZHRs of the 1966 Leonid storm cannot be made, as video and visual meteor rates are not the same, partly because of the video system's more objective viewing techniques, but also because video cameras are typically far more sensitive to infra-red radiation than the human eye. In addition, this video Leonid meteor outburst was not typical of even previously detected short-lived meteor outbursts from other sources, such as the Draconids of 1985 or 1998 or the Alpha Monocerotids of 1995, as it lasted not some minutes or tens of minutes, but 1.57 seconds! It is more likely that a very small fragment of Comet Tempel-Tuttle which remained reasonably coherent until quite close to the Earth, or a larger friable meteoroid in the Leonid stream which broke apart on the outer fringes of the Earth's atmosphere (as also suggested in the paper by Kinoshita et al.) was responsible for the small spatial distribution of the meteoroids in the observed event. The paper is definitely recommended reading. Date: Sat, 03 Jul 1999 22:09:05 +0900 From: "Kawasaki, Yasuhiro" Subject: Re: Leonid video outburst over Hawaii, 1997 November On Fri, 02 Jul 1999 14:12:59 +0100 Alastair McBeath wrote: >Leonid video outburst over Hawaii, 1997 November > >From: Alastair McBeath, IMO Vice-President; e-mail: >vice_president@imo.net > >The paper is: "Preliminary activity of Leonid meteor storm observed with >a video camera in 1997", by Masao Kinoshita, Takuya Maruyama & Toru >Sagayama, Geophysical Research Letters volume 26:1, pages 41-44 (1999 >January 1). >The paper is definitely recommended reading. The Leonid video outburst can also be seen at NMS (Nippon Meteor Society) WEB page. The address is as follows. http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/kinosi_e.html --------------------------------------------- Kawasaki, Yasuhiro (JAPAN) IMO / Nippon Meteor Society Kansai Astronomical Society e-mail : river@skyblue.ocn.ne.jp --------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999 22:36:52 METDST From: Rainer Arlt Subject: IMO Shower Circ: June Bootids 1999 ------------------------------------- I M O S h o w e r C i r c u l a r ------------------------------------- JUNE BOOTID Activity 1999 Despite the strong interference with the Full Moon in the end of June, some observers tried to monitor the activity of the June Bootids, mostly in the night June 27-28. The unexpected outburst of the shower with maximum ZHRs possibly above 200 last year made many observers curious to see what would happen in 1999. No outburst of June Bootid activity was observed in 1999. Regular observations reported so far are listed in short below: ------------------------------------------------------------- Observer Country Date Period UT Lm JBO ------------------------------------------------------------- Michal Haltuf Czech Rep. June 26 2109-2132 5.1 0 Pierre Martin Canada June 27 0315-0600 5.2 0 Josep M. Trigo Spain June 27 2033-2130 5.6 1 Roberto Gorelli Italy June 27 2100-2230 4.7 0 Michal Haltuf Czech Rep. June 27 2223-2244 5.0 1 Sven Nather Germany June 27 2331-0054 4.9 0 Michal Haltuf Czech Rep. June 28 0112-0123 4.8 0 ------------------------------------------------------------- More informal reports habe been received from Frank Enzlein, Jurgen Rendtel, and Nikolai Wunsche all indicating non-existent June Bootid activity. Note that not all geographical longitudes are covered by these observations; a short peak may be possible, though it is very unlikely given the broad activity profiles of past outbursts. -- Rainer Arlt, 1999 July 6. visual@imo.net Date: Thu, 08 Jul 1999 21:02:22 +0000 From: Andre Knoefel Subject: IMO 2000 Meteor Shower calender International Meteor Organization 2000 Meteor Shower Calendar (Net Version) ========================================= compiled by Alastair McBeath and Rainer Arlt based on information in IMO Monograph No.2: Handbook for Visual Meteor Observers, edited by Juergen Rendtel, Rainer Arlt and Alastair McBeath, IMO, 1995, and additional material extracted from data analyses produced since. Layout by Andre Knoefel. Introduction ------------ Welcome to the 2000 International Meteor Organization (IMO) Meteor Shower Calendar. The year promises many Moon-free major showers (except the Lyrids, Perseids, Orionids and Geminids), and the Leonids may produce high to storm rates in November. Of especial interest is the chance to see what the June Bootids produce in late June after their unexpected outburst in 1998. 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 only recently begun to receive regular attention again). 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/video 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 updating from 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 much less popular, but 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 continue to be dynamically applied as 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 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 year's first quarter brings several low activity showers, including the diffuse ecliptical stream complex of the Virginids, active from late January to mid-April. Both major showers, the northern-hemisphere Quadrantids and the southern-hemisphere alpha-Centaurids are excellently- placed with regard to the Moon this year. The minor delta-Cancrids are lost in the near-full Moon glare in January, but the weak delta-Leonids in late February and the gamma-Normids in mid-March fare better. Daylight radio peaks are theoretically due from the Capricornids/Sagittarids around 02h UT on February 2, and the chi-Capricornids on February 14, around 03h UT. Recent radio results suggest the Cap/Sgr peak may fall 2-3 days later than this however, while no significant enhancement in radio rates was found near the expected chi-Capricornid peak between 1994-1999. As both showers have radiants <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 4, 05h UT (lambda = 283.16deg); ZHR = 120 (can vary around 60-200); Radiant: alpha = 230deg, delta = +49deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; 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 opens with a superb return of the Quadrantids for northern hemisphere observers, as the Moon is just two days before new on January 4. 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. 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 analyzed, from IMO 1992 data, confirmed by radio results in 1996, 1997 and 1999. A repeat of this time in 2000 would favor sites from Europe to the east coast of North America. The peak itself is normally 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. For instance, visual ZHRs in 1998 persisted for over two hours at their best. 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. alpha-Centaurids ---------------- Active: January 28-February 21; Maximum: February 8, 16h UT (lambda = 319.2deg); ZHR = variable, usually around 6, but may reach 25+; Radiant: alpha = 210deg, delta = -59deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6 V = 56 km/s; r = 2.0. The alpha-Centaurids are one of the main southern hemisphere high points in the opening months of the year, producing many very bright, even fireball- class, objects (meteors of at least magnitude -3). Their peak ZHR is normally around 5-10, but in 1974 and again in 1980, bursts of only a few hours' duration yielded activity closer to 20-30. As we have no means of telling when another such event might happen, photographic, video and visual observers are urged to be alert, especially this year, as the Moon is new just three days before their maximum. Thanks to their brilliance, even a normal alpha-Centaurid return is worth looking out for, and almost one-third leave fine persistent trains after them. The radiant is nearly circumpolar for much of the sub-equatorial inhabited Earth, and is at a useful elevation from late evening onwards. delta-Leonids ------------- Active: February 15-March 10; Maximum: February 25 (lambda = 336deg); ZHR = 2; Radiant: alpha = 168deg, delta = +16deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; 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, especially this year as the waning gibbous Moon will rise around or after midnight at the peak for sites north of 35deg N latitude. Southern hemisphere watchers should not ignore the stream, as they are better-placed to note many of the other Virginid radiants, but with moonrise as early as 22h30m at 35deg S latitude on February 25, conditions are not ideal. At least the delta-Leonid radiant in mid-Leo is well on view for most of the night near the peak. gamma-Normids ------------- Active: February 25-March 22; Maximum: March 13 (lambda = 353deg); ZHR = 8; Radiant: alpha= 249deg, delta= -51deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 56 km/s; r = 2.4; TFC: alpha = 225deg, delta= -26deg and alpha = 215deg, delta= -45deg (beta < 10deg S). gamma-Normid meteors are similar to the sporadics in appearance, and for most of their activity period, their ZHR is virtually undetectable above this background rate. The peak itself is normally quite sharp, with ZHRs of 3+ noted for only a day or two to either side of the maximum. Activity may vary somewhat at times, with occasional broader, or less obvious, maxima having been reported in the past. Post-midnight watching yields best results, when the radiant is rising to a reasonable elevation from southern hemisphere sites. First quarter Moon on March 13 is thus excellent news, as it will set before midnight. All forms of observation can be carried out for the shower, though most northern observers will see nothing from it. April to June ------------- Meteor activity picks up towards the April-May boundary, with showers like the Lyrids (maximum expected between April 21, 22h UT to April 22, 05h UT), pi- Puppids (peak around April 23, 09h UT) and eta-Aquarids. Both former sources suffer from bright waning gibbous 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 meteors from the o-Cetids and Arietids have been reported from tropical and southern hemisphere sites visually in past years, sensible activity calculations cannot be carried out from such observations. For radio observers, the expected UT maxima for these showers are as follows: April Piscids - April 20, 02h; delta-Piscids - April 24, 01h; epsilon-Arietids - May 9, 00h; May Arietids - May 16, 01h; o-Cetids - May 20, 00h; Arietids - June 7, 03h; zeta-Perseids - June 9, 03h; beta-Taurids - June 28, 02h. Some signs of most of these peaks were found in data from 1994-1998, except the April Piscids and May Arietids. The ecliptical complexes continue with some late Virginids and the best from the minor Sagittarids in May-June. Visual observers hoping to see any possible June Lyrid peak this year on June 15 will be severely hampered by full Moon. eta-Aquarids ------------ Active: April 19-May 28; Maximum: May 5, 17h UT (lambda = 45.5deg); ZHR = 60 (occasionally variable); Radiant: alpha = 338deg, delta= -01deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 66 km/s; r = 2.7; TFC: alpha = 319deg, delta = +10deg and alpha = 321deg, delta = -23deg (beta < 20degS). This is a fine, rich stream associated with Comet 1P/Halley, like the Orionids of October, but it is visible for only a few hours before dawn essentially from tropical and southern hemisphere sites. Some useful results have come even from sites around 40deg N latitude in recent years however, and occasional meteors have been reported from further north, but the shower would benefit from increased observer activity generally. The fast and often bright meteors make the wait for radiant-rise worthwhile, and many events leave glowing persistent trains after them. While the radiant is still very low, eta-Aquarid meteors tend to have very long paths too, which can mean observers underestimate the apparent speeds of the meteors, so extra care is needed when making such angular speed estimates. A relatively broad maximum, sometimes with a variable number of submaxima, usually occurs in early May. ZHRs are generally above 30 for almost a week centred on the main peak, based on IMO observations between 1988-1997. With new Moon on May 4, the shower is perfectly-placed for watchers in 2000. All forms of observing can be used to study the eta-Aquarids, with radio work allowing activity to be followed even from mid-northern latitude sites throughout the daylight morning hours. The radiant culminates at about 08h local time. June Bootids ------------ Active: June 26-Jul 02; Maximum: June 27, 01h UT (lambda = 95.7deg); ZHR = variable, 0--100+; Radiant: alpha = 224deg, delta = +48deg; Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 18 km/s; r = 2.2; TFC: alpha = 156deg, delta = +64deg and alpha = 289deg, delta = +67deg (beta = 25deg-60deg N). Following the wholly unexpected strong return of this shower in 1998, we are delighted to reintroduce the June Bootids to the Working List of visual meteor showers this year, and to encourage all observers to routinely monitor the expected activity period in case of future outbursts. Prior to 1998, only four definite returns of the shower had been detected, in 1916, 1921 and 1927. With no significant visual reports between 1928-1997, we were justified in assuming the stream no longer encountered the Earth, and accordingly removed the shower from the Working List in 1996. The dynamics of the stream are not well understood. The shower's parent comet 7P/Pons- Winnecke was last at perihelion in January 1996, and its orbit currently lies around 0.24 astronomical units outside the Earth's orbit at its closest approach, so we have no way at present to predict likely future activity. In 1998, high Bootid rates (ZHRs 50-100+) were visible for more than half a day, beginning shortly before the time indicated above, again quite contrary to the short-lived nature of other known shower outbursts. The radiant is at a useful elevation for most of the short summer night in the northern hemisphere (only), and the waning crescent Moon, just four days from new, will present no real problems. 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, and finally the Piscids (whose most likely peak on September 19 will suffer from the bright waning Moon) into September. The two strongest sources, the Southern delta-Aquarids and the alpha-Capricornids, are free from moonlight this year, along with the less-active Piscis Austrinids, Southern iota-Aquarids and Northern delta-Aquarids. Something of the Pegasids should still be seen in early July as well, but the July Phoenicids (peak July 13), Perseids (maxima expected near 05h and 10h UT on August 12; if the tertiary peak - seen so far only in 1997 - repeats in 2000, that should fall around 19h UT on August 12), kappa-Cygnids (maximum August 17) and Northern iota-Aquarids (peak August 19) all lose their best rates to bright moonlight. The alpha-Aurigids are much more favourable, and even the delta-Aurigids in early September are not too unfavourable. For daylight radio observers, the interest of May-June has waned, but there remain the visually-inaccessible gamma-Leonids (peak circa August 25, 03h UT, though not found in recent radio results), and a tricky visual shower, the Sextantids (maximum expected September 27, 03h UT, but possibly occurring a day earlier). The latter prediction is perfectly timed for new Moon, though the radiant rises less than an hour before dawn in either hemisphere. Pegasids -------- Active: July 7-13; Maximum: July 9 (lambda = 107.5deg); ZHR = 3; Radiant: alpha = 340deg, delta = +15deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 70km/s; r = 3.0; TFC: alpha = 320deg, delta = +10deg and alpha = 332deg, delta = +33deg (beta > 40deg N); alpha = 357deg, delta = +02deg (beta < 40deg N). Monitoring this short-lived minor shower is never easy, as a few cloudy nights mean its loss for visual observers. The shower is best-seen in the second half of the night, good news as the waxing gibbous Moon will set soon after midnight for the more favorable northern hemisphere sites, to 00h30m at 35deg S latitude. The maximum ZHR is generally low, and swift, faint meteors can be expected. Telescopic observing would be especially useful. Piscis Austrinids and Aquarid/Capricornid Complex ------------------------------------------------- Piscis Austrinids ----------------- Active: July 15-August 10; Maximum: July 27 (lambda = 125deg); ZHR = 5; Radiant: alpha = 341deg, delta = -30deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 35 km/s; r = 3.2; TFC: alpha= 255deg - 000deg, delta = 00deg - +15deg, choose pairs separated by about 30deg in alpha (beta < 30deg N). Southern delta-Aquarids ----------------------- Active: July 12-August 19; Maximum: July 27, 18h UT (lambda = 125deg); ZHR = 20; Radiant: alpha = 339deg, delta = -16deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 41 km/s; r = 3.2; TFC: alpha= 255deg - 000deg, delta = 00deg - +15deg, choose pairs separated by about 30deg in alpha (beta < 40deg N). alpha-Capricornids ------------------ Active: July 3-August 15; Maximum: July 29 (lambda = 127deg); ZHR = 4; Radiant: alpha = 307deg, delta = -10deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 23 km/s; r = 2.5; TFC: alpha = 255deg - 000deg, delta = 00deg - +15deg, choose pairs separated by about 30deg in alpha (beta < 40deg N); PFC: alpha = 300deg, delta = +10deg (beta > 40deg N), alpha = 320deg, delta = -05deg (beta = 0deg - 45deg N), alpha = 300deg, delta = -25deg (beta < 0deg). Southern iota-Aquarids ---------------------- Active: July 25-August 15; Maximum: August 4 (lambda = 132deg); ZHR = 2; Radiant: alpha = 334deg, delta = -15deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 34 km/s; r = 2.9; TFC: alpha = 255deg - 000deg, delta = 00deg - +15deg, choose pairs separated by about 30deg in alpha (beta < 30deg N). Northern delta-Aquarids ----------------------- Active: July 15-August 25; Maximum: August 8 (lambda = 136deg); ZHR = 4; Radiant: alpha = 335deg, delta = -05deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 42 km/s; r = 3.4; TFC: alpha = 255deg - 000deg, delta = 00deg - +15deg, choose pairs separated by about 30deg in alpha (beta < 30deg N). The Aquarids and Piscis Austrinids are all streams 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. In 2000 the Piscis Austrinid, Southern delta-Aquarid, alpha-Capricornid and Northern iota-Aquarid maxima benefit from new Moon on July 31, while the Northern delta-Aquarid peak has only a few problems from the waxing gibbous Moon, which will set between 23h and 01h30m local time in either hemisphere. All these radiants are above the horizon for much of the night. alpha- and delta-Aurigids ------------------------- alpha-Aurigids -------------- Active: August 25-September 5; Maximum: August 31, 18h UT (lambda = 158.6deg); ZHR = 10; Radiant: alpha = 084deg, delta = +42deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 66 km/s; r = 2.5; TFC: alpha = 052deg, delta = +60deg; alpha = 043deg, delta = +39deg and alpha = 023deg, delta = +41deg (beta > 10deg S). delta-Aurigids -------------- Active: September 5-October 10; Maximum: September 8 (lambda = 166deg); ZHR = 6; Radiant: alpha = 060deg, delta = +47deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 64 km/s; r = 3.0; TFC: alpha = 052deg, delta = +60deg; alpha = 043deg, delta = +39deg and alpha = 023deg, delta = +41deg (beta > 10deg S). These are both essentially northern hemisphere showers, badly in need of more observations. They are part of a series of poorly-observed showers with radiants in Aries, Perseus, Cassiopeia and Auriga, active from late August into October. British and Italian observers independently reported a possible new radiant in Aries during late August 1997 for example. Of the known showers, the alpha-Aurigids are the more active, with short unexpected bursts having given EZHRs of around 30-40 in 1935, 1986 and 1994, although they have not been monitored regularly until very recently, so other outbursts may have been missed. The delta-Aurigids typically produce low rates of generally faint meteors, and have yet to be well-seen in more than an occasional year. Both radiants reach a useful elevation only after 23h-00h local time, meaning lunar circumstances are near perfect for the alpha-Aurigid peak in 2000, with new Moon on August 29, while the delta-Aurigids enjoy dark skies after moonset (between 00h-01h local time north of 20deg N latitude). Telescopic data to examine all the radiants in this region of sky - and possibly observe the telescopic beta-Cassiopeids simultaneously - would be especially valuable, but photographs, video records and visual plotting would be welcomed too. 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. Unfortunately, both Northern and Southern Taurid maxima suffer from bright moonlight this year, but the interesting late October to early November period which sometimes produces more Taurid fireballs is excellently Moon-free. Taurid activity in late October 1998 reached levels comparable to the usual maximum rates, and checking what happens this year would be valuable, though nothing unusual has been predicted. Before then is a partly moonless Draconid epoch, together with badly Moon- affected epsilon-Geminid and Orionid maxima, all in October. The main Orionid peak is likely around 02h-03h UT on October 21 for radio observers. Some predictions suggest a Leonid storm may occur in November, but moonlight will be a problem. However, the alpha-Monocerotid peak is nearly Moon-free, together with the chi-Orionids in December. Shower maxima lost to moonlight in December include those of the Phoenicids (December 6 around 02h UT), early December's best from the Puppid-Velids, the Monocerotids (December 8), sigma-Hydrids (December 11), Geminids (December 13, 17h UT to December 14, 02h UT) and Coma Berenicids (December 19). The Ursids at least survive this lunar-light onslaught. Draconids --------- Active: October 6-10; Maximum: October 8, 01h30m UT (lambda = 195.075deg) or around October 8, 09h UT (lambda = 195.4deg); ZHR = periodic, up to storm levels; Radiant: alpha = 262deg, delta = +54deg, Radiant drift: negligible; V = 20 km/s; r = 2.6; TFC: alpha = 290deg, delta = +65deg and alpha = 288deg, delta = +39deg (beta > 30deg N). Unfortunately for potential Draconid observers, although 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 20-500+), so far, detectable activity has only been seen in years when the stream's parent comet, 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, has returned to perihelion. It did this last in 1998 November, and in 1998 October, a short-lived Draconid outburst yielding ZHRs of around 700 was seen from Far Eastern sites, as well as being recorded by radio. This occurred at lambda = 195.075deg, but a later time towards lambda = 195.4deg may be more generally applicable, based on the Earth's closest approach to the comet orbit's node. Activity in 2000 is unlikely, and conditions are far from ideal with a waxing gibbous Moon, but checking is important. The radiant is circumpolar from many northern hemisphere locations, but is higher in the pre-midnight and near-dawn hours on October 8-10. With moonset only after local midnight, a repeat of the 1998 peak time would favour sites in central to eastern North America, while the later time would be better for European to West Asian observers. Note that Draconid meteors are exceptionally slow-moving, a characteristic which helps separate genuine shower meteors from sporadics accidentally lining up with the radiant. Leonids ------- Active: November 14-21; Maximum: November 17, 08h UT (lambda = 235.27deg); ZHR = 100+ (around 150? in 1997, around 340 in 1998), but may reach storm level in 2000; Radiant: alpha = 153deg, delta = +22deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; 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: alpha = 120deg, delta = +40deg before 00h local time (beta > 40deg N); alpha = 120deg, delta = +20deg before 04h local time and alpha = 160deg, delta = 00deg after 04h local time (beta > 00deg~N); alpha = 120deg, delta = +10deg before 00h local time and alpha = 160deg, delta = -10deg (beta < 0deg N). The Leonids' parent comet, 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, reached perihelion last in 1998 February, but recent stream evolution studies suggest high to storm- level Leonid activity may still occur in 2000 or even until 2002. 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! Young material from the most recent, i.e. the 1965 and 1932 perihelion passages of the comet, is likely to cause enhanced activity near closest approach to the comet's node on November 17, 08h UT (lambda = 235.27deg), as also indicated by the stream model developed by Peter Brown, but the model finds an older trail from 1733 suggesting a peak as late as November 18, 08h UT. This finding is supported by the studies of David Asher and Robert McNaught yielding November 18, 03h45m for the 1733 trail and another possible peak at 07h50m for the 1866 trail. A repeat of the spectacular and extended fireball outburst seen in 1998 is regrettably unlikely this year. The radiant rises only around local midnight (or indeed afterwards south of the equator), so the waning gibbous Moon will be a considerable nuisance for all observers. The two around 08h UT peak timings would favor locations across North America, while the 03h45m possible peak would be best-seen from Europe and North Africa. Even minor variations from these timings would mean places east or west of these zones may see something of the shower's best too. Look out for further updates in the IMO's journal WGN after the 1999 return. All observing methods should be utilised, especially photography and video if a storm manifests. alpha-Monocerotids ------------------ Active: November 15-25; Maximum: November 21, 08h UT (lambda = 239.32deg); ZHR = variable, usually 5, but may produce outbursts to 400+; Radiant: alpha = 117deg, delta = +01deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 65 km/s; r = 2.4; TFC: alpha = 115deg, delta = +23deg and alpha = 129deg, delta = +20deg (beta > 20deg N); or 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 proposed 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. We are currently at the mid-point of any decade-long cycle. The waning crescent Moon on November 21 makes this a good year for such scrutiny, with the radiant well on view in both hemispheres after about 23h local time or so. The expected peak time falls especially well for North America. chi-Orionids ------------ Active: November 26-December 15; Maximum: December 1 (lambda = 250deg); ZHR = 3; Radiant: alpha = 082deg, delta= +23deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; V = 28 km/s; r = 3.0; TFC: alpha = 083deg, delta= +09deg and alpha = 080deg, delta= +24deg (beta > 30deg S). A weak visual stream, but moderately active telescopically. Some brighter meteors have been photographed too. The shower has at least a double radiant, but the southern branch has been rarely detected. The chi-Orionids may be a continuation of the ecliptic complex after the Taurids cease to be active. The radiant used here is a combined one, suitable for visual work, although telescopic or video observations should be better-able to determine the exact radiant structure. The waxing crescent Moon should give few problems, as the radiant is well on display in both hemispheres throughout the night. Ursids ------- Active: December 17-26; Maximum: December 22, 06h UT (lambda = 270.7deg); ZHR = 10 (occasionally variable up to 50); Radiant: alpha = 217deg, delta = +76deg, Radiant drift: see Table 6; 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 - 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, 08h30m 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 nearly-new Moon will give dark skies for observations almost all night on December 22. Radiant sizes and meteor plotting --------------------------------- If you are not observing during a major-shower maximum, it is much more essential to associate meteors with their radiants correctly, since the total numbers will be small. Meteor plotting allows the a shower association by more objective criteria than the prolongation of paths under the sky. As you plotted the meteors on gnomonic maps, you can trace the radiant by straight lines. If the radiant lies on another chart, you should find common stars on an adjacent chart to extend the backward prolongation there. How large should the radiant be assumed for shower association? The physical radiant size is very small; visual plotting errors cause many true shower meteors to pass the radiant outside this area. We have to asume a larger radiant. The opposite behavior is caused by sporadic meteors - more and more sporadics line up accidentally upon enlarging the radiant. Hence, we have to apply an optimum radiant diameter compensating the loss due to plotting errors, and the sporadic meteor pollution. Table 1 gives the optimum diameter as a function of the distance of the meteor from the radiant. -------------------------- Table 1 Optimum radiant diameters to be assumed for shower association of minor- shower meteors as a function of the radiant distance D of the meteor. -------------------------- D optimum diameter -------------------------- 15deg 14deg 30deg 17deg 50deg 20deg 70deg 23deg -------------------------- The direction of the path is not the only criterion for shower association. The angular velocity of the meteor should match the expected speed of the shower meteors according to the geocentric velocity of the meteoroids. Angular velocity estimates should be made in degrees per second (deg/s). In your imagination you make the meteors move for one second. The path length of this imaginary meteor is the angular velocity in deg/s. Note that typical speeds are in the range 3deg/s to 25deg/s. Typical errors of such estimates are given in Table 2. ------------------------------------------- Table 2 Error limits for the angular velocity ------------------------------------------- angular velocity [deg/s] 5 10 15 20 30 permitted error [deg/s] 3 5 6 7 8 ------------------------------------------- If you found a meteor which hits the radiant within the above diameter, check its angular velocity. Table 3 gives the angular speeds for a few geocentric velocities, which can be looked up in Table 5 for each shower. ------------------------------------ Table 3 Angular velocities as a function of the radiant distance of the meteor and the elevation of the meteor for three different geocentric velocities. All velocities are in deg/s. (The tables are symmetric in D and h.) v=25 km/s D 10deg 20deg 40deg 60deg 90deg h 10deg 0.4 0.9 1.6 2.2 2.5 20deg 0.9 1.7 3.2 4.3 4.9 40deg 1.6 3.2 5.9 8.0 9.3 60deg 2.2 4.3 8.0 11 13 90deg 2.5 4.9 9.3 13 14 v=40 km/s D 10deg 20deg 40deg 60deg 90deg h 10deg 0.7 1.4 2.6 3.5 4.0 20deg 1.4 2.7 5.0 6.8 7.9 40deg 2.6 5.0 9.5 13 15 60deg 3.5 6.8 13 17 20 90deg 4.0 7.9 15 20 23 v=60 km/s D 10deg 20deg 40deg 60deg 90deg h 10deg 0.9 1.8 3.7 4.6 5.3 20deg 1.8 3.5 6.7 9.0 10 40deg 3.7 6.7 13 17 20 60deg 4.6 9.0 17 23 26 90deg 5.3 10 20 26 30 ------------------------------------ Abbreviations ------------- drift across the sky each day due to the Earth's own orbital motion around alpha, delta: Coordinates for a shower's radiant position, usually at the Sun, and this must be allowed for using the details in Table 6 for nights away from the listed shower maxima. maximum. alpha is right ascension, delta is declination. Radiants 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 lambda are given for the equinox 2000.0. V: Atmospheric or apparent meteoric velocity 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 small-camera 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 centers to use for video camera fields as well. --------------------------------------------------------------- Table 4 Lunar phases for 2000. New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter January 6 January 14 January 21 January 28 February 5 February 12 February 19 February 27 March 6 March 13 March 20 March 28 April 4 April 11 April 18 April 26 May 4 May 10 May 18 May 26 June 2 June 9 June 16 June 25 July 1 July 8 July 16 July 24 July 31 August 7 August 15 August 22 August 29 September 5 September 13 September 21 September 27 October 5 October 13 October 20 October 27 November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 December 4 December 11 December 18 December 25 --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 5 Working list of visual meteor showers. Details in this Table were correct according to the best information available in June 1999. 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 04 283.16 230 +49 delta-Cancrids Jan 01-Jan 24 Jan 17 297 130 +20 alpha-Centaurids Jan 28-Feb 21 Feb 08 319.2 210 -59 delta-Leonids Feb 15-Mar 10 Feb 25 336 168 +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 21 032.1 271 +34 pi-Puppids Apr 15-Apr 28 Apr 23 033.5 110 -45 eta-Aquarids Apr 19-May 28 May 05 045.5 338 -01 Sagittarids Apr 15-Jul 15 (May 19)(059) 247 -22 June Bootids Jun 26-Jul 02 Jun 27 095.7 224 +48 Pegasids Jul 07-Jul 13 Jul 09 107.5 340 +15 July Phoenicids Jul 10-Jul 16 Jul 13 111 032 -48 Pisces Austrinids Jul 15-Aug 10 Jul 27 125 341 -30 Southern delta-Aquarids Jul 12-Aug 19 Jul 27 125 339 -16 alpha-Capricornids Jul 03-Aug 15 Jul 29 127 307 -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 *139.8 046 +58 kappa-Cygnids Aug 03-Aug 25 Aug 17 145 286 +59 Northern iota-Aquarids Aug 11-Aug 31 Aug 19 147 327 -06 alpha-Aurigids Aug 25-Sep 05 Aug 31 158.6 084 +42 delta-Aurigids Sep 05-Oct 10 Sep 08 166 060 +47 Piscids Sep 01-Sep 30 Sep 19 177 005 -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 *235.27 153 +22 alpha-Monocerotids Nov 15-Nov 25 Nov 21 239.32 117 +01 chi-Orionids Nov 26-Dec 15 Dec 01 250 082 +23 Phoenicids Nov 28-Dec 09 Dec 06 254.25 018 -53 Puppid-Velids Dec 01-Dec 15 (Dec 06)(255) 123 -45 Monocerotids (Dec) Nov 27-Dec 17 Dec 08 257 100 +08 sigma-Hydrids Dec 03-Dec 15 Dec 11 260 127 +02 Geminids Dec 07-Dec 17 Dec 13 *262.0 112 +33 Coma Berenicids Dec 12-Jan 23 Dec 19 268 175 +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 June Bootids 18 2.2 var. JBO 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 25 2.5 4 CAP Southern iota-Aquarids 34 2.9 2 SIA Northern delta-Aquarids 42 3.4 4 NDA Perseids 59 2.6 140 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 2.5 100+ 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 * Showers may have other or additional peak times; see text. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table 6: Radiant positions during the year in alpha and delta. COM DCA QUA Jan 0 186 +20 112 +22 228 +50 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 JBO Jun 25 280 -23 223 +48 Jun 30 284 -23 225 +47 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 7: 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): A. Knoeofel, Saarbruecker Strasse 8, D-40476 Duesseldorf, Germany. e-mail: fidac@imo.net Photographic Commission: M. 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: M. Currie, 660 N'Aohoku Place, Hilo, HI 96720, USA. e-mail: tele@imo.net Video Commission: S. Molau, Weidenweg 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany. e-mail: video@imo.net Visual Commission: R. Arlt, Friedenstrasse 5, D-14109 Berlin, Germany. email: visual@imo.net or contact IMO's Homepage on the World-Wide-Web: http://www.imo.net/ For further details on IMO membership, please write to: Ina Rendtel, IMO Treasurer, Mehlbeerenweg 5, D-14469 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! Date: Fri, 09 Jul 1999 10:33:20 -0400 From: Mark Davis Subject: NAMN Server Maintenance We will have an outage on Sunday, July 11 from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. EDT to perform periodic maintenance on the servers that provide public access to the homepage of the North American Meteor Network. During this time, there will be no access to our webpages. Sorry for the inconvenience... Mark Davis, MeteorObs@charleston.net Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA Visual Program Coordinator North American Meteor Network & American Meteor Society ======================================================= NAMN: http://web.infoave.net/~meteorobs AMS: http://www.amsmeteors.org/ ======================================================= Date: Thu, 8 Jul 1999 01:03:13 +0100 (WEST) From: "Victor R. Ruiz" Subject: METEOR EXPLODES IN SKY ABOVE NEW ZEALAND (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 07 Jul 1999 09:14:55 -0400 From: Larry Klaes To: astro@lists.mindspring.com Cc: Andrew LePage , Donald Bellunduno Subject: [ASTRO] METEOR EXPLODES IN SKY ABOVE NEW ZEALAND >From: Benny J Peiser >Sender: humbpeis@livjm.ac.uk >To: cambridge-conference@livjm.ac.uk >Subject: METEOR EXPLODES IN SKY ABOVE NEW ZEALAND >Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 14:16:10 -0400 (EDT) >Priority: NORMAL >X-Mailer: Simeon for Windows Version 4.0.5 >X-Authentication: none > >METEOR EXPLODES IN SKY ABOVE NEW ZEALAND > >(MODERATOR'S NOTE: TAURID METEOR STREAM MOST LIKELY CULPRIT) > >>From CNN Interactive >http://cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/ > >July 7, 1999 >Web posted at: 6:29 AM EDT (1029 GMT) > >WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- A meteor exploded in the sky >above New Zealand on Wednesday, casting an eerie blue light and >showering the earth with fragments from space, authorities and witnesses >said. > >No injuries were reported, but authorities were flooded with hundreds >of calls from people who reported seeing the streaking meteor, >emergency services said. > >The Carter Observatory in Wellington said the explosion occurred >about 4:15 p.m. (0615 GMT) and was followed by smoke in the sky _ and >a flood of phone calls from witnesses. > >"It was picked up by aircraft and on radar, so we've had some air >traffic controllers calling too," said John Field, the observatory's >public programs officer. > >Police said hundreds of people reported seeing a bright streak across >the sky over a remote part of New Zealand's North Island, between the >cities of Napier, 186 miles (300 kilometers) north of the capital, >Wellington, on the east coast and New Plymouth, about the same >distance from Wellington, on the west coast. > >With a loud explosion, the meteor apparently broke up in the >atmosphere, leaving a vapor trail and blue cloud hanging in the sky, >the police spokesman said, on customary condition of anonymity. > >Brendon Bradley, an instructor with the New Plymouth Aero Club, said >he was in the air when he saw the meteor streak over the top of his >plane. "It was just a bright light, exactly like a flare," he said. >"Afterwards there was smoke in the sky." > >Other witnesses described a bright flash, followed by an explosion and a >cloud of brown smoke. "A big fiery ball came down. There was a >terrific red glow and it sort of went pop," said Eric Ray, a resident >of the town of Te Aroha. One man told police the explosion sounded >like a natural gas tanker igniting, the police spokesman said. > >Field said the meteor could have been either metal or rock and was >probably as big a a car. A rock meteor would have broken up as it >came through the atmosphere and broken into a shower of stones, he >said. He said that throughout the world about one meteor falls to >Earth each week. > >Police said reports of objects seen falling to the ground were received from >across the region. Night has since fallen, and there were no reports >of any pieces being found. > >Copyright 1999 The Associated Press. > > > Date: Sat, 10 Jul 1999 15:13:44 -0400 From: Mark Davis Subject: NAMN Notes: July 1999 The July issue of NAMN Notes, the monthly newsletter of the North American Meteor Network, is now available at http://web.infoave.net/~meteorobs Mark Davis, MeteorObs@charleston.net NAMN Coordinator Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 13:47:52 -0000 From: Bev M Ewen-Smith Subject: Enhanced radio meteor activity? There appears to be an episode of enhanced meteor activity in progress according to doppler radio observations at COAA (37 11N 08 36W). Much higher than normal persistent trails are evident from around 1999-07-11 13:00UT to at least the present time (1999-07-11 13:45UT). The doppler signals are fairly symmetrically distributed between positive and negative doppler shifts which suggests a radiant (or at least the resulting plasma) mostly close to the meridian (ca 8 hours RA). Has anyone else noticed this? Bev ><> Bev and Jan Ewen-Smith ><> COAA, sitio do Poio, 8500-149 Mexilhoeira Grande, Portugal Tel +351 (0) 82 471180 Fax +351 (0) 82 471516 coaa@mail.telepac.pt www.ip.pt/coaa Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 16:03:36 +0200 From: Enrico Stomeo Subject: [UAI-sm] Italian meteor results: 1999 June [UAI-sm] Italian meteor results: 1999 June

Code        Observer
----------------------
HAVRO Haver Roberto
STOEN Stomeo Enrico

Loc           Site           Lat    Long
--------------------------------------------
1     Frasso Sabino, RI       42,23  -12,81
2     Scorze', VE             45,34  -12,06


Loc Obs   Jun99    UT      Dur  Lm   Cf  TOT
gSGR tHER cSCO lSGR SAG tOPH jLYR oSCO Spor  Notes  tm Teff
-----------------------------------------------------------
2 STOEN  3,899 2110-2200 0,83 5,25 1,00  3
   0    0    0   0    0    0    0    0    3  1jLYR?  20 0,81
2 STOEN  4,872 2040-2110 0,50 5,80 1,00  2
   0    0    0   0    0    0    0    0    1  1xDRA?  20 0,49
1 HAVRO  4,882 2040-2140 1,00 5,90 1,00  8
   0    2    0   0    0    0    0    0    6          40 0,91
1 HAVRO  4,924 2120-2300 1,67 6,20 1,00  9
   2    0    0   0    0    0    0    0    7          20 1,62
1 HAVRO  5,882 2040-2140 1,00 5,90 1,00  8
   1    0    1   0    0    0    0    0    6          40 0,91
1 HAVRO  5,924 2140-2240 1,00 6,00 1,00  7
   0    0    0   1    1    1    0    0    4          40 0,92
1 HAVRO  5,962 2240-2330 0,83 5,90 1,00  8
   0    0    0   0    1    0    0    0    7          40 0,74
1 HAVRO 13,903 2110-2210 1,00 6,00 1,00 12
   0    0    0   0    0    1    1    1    9          40 0,87
1 HAVRO 13,944 2210-2310 1,00 6,00 1,00 12
   0    0    0   1    0    1    3    0    7          40 0,87
1 HAVRO 13,993 2320-0020 1,00 6,10 1,00 10
   0    0    0   0    0    0    0    0    10         40 0,89
1 HAVRO 14,035 0020-0120 1,00 6,10 1,00 13
   1    0    0   0    0    0    1    1    10         40 0,86
1 HAVRO 18,903 2110-2210 1,00 5,85 1,00 10
   0    0    0   1    0    0    2    0    7          40 0,89
1 HAVRO 18,944 2210-2310 1,00 5,90 1,00 11
   0    0    0   1    0    0    1    0    9          40 0,88
1 HAVRO 18,993 2320-0020 1,00 6,00 1,00 13
   0    0    2   1    0    0    0    0    10         40 0,86
1 HAVRO 19,035 0020-0120 1,00 6,00 1,00 10
   0    0    0   1    0    1    1    0    7          40 0,89
-----------------------------------------------------------
                          14,83          136
   4    2    3   6    2    4    9    2   103           13,40

Jun99 Obs  Teff  Lm  Shower
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1  00 +1  +2  +3  +4   +5  +6 TOT  Magn %Train
----------------------------------------------------------
03-04 STOEN 0,81 5,25  Spor 
0  0  0   0  1  0   0   0 1,5  0,5  0   0   3   1,83
04-05 HAVRO 2,53 6,09  gSGR 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0   0  0    2   0   0   2   4,00
04-05 HAVRO 2,53 6,09  tHER 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0   0  0    1   1   0   2   4,50
04-05 HAVRO 2,53 6,09  Spor 
0  0  0   0  0  1   1   1  2   3,5 4,5  0  13   3,50  7,7
04-05 STOEN 0,49 5,80  Spor 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0   0 1,5  0,5  0   0   2   3,25
05-06 HAVRO 2,57 5,93  gSGR 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0   1  0    0   0   0   1   2,00
05-06 HAVRO 2,57 5,93  cSCO 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0   1  0    0   0   0   1   2,00
05-06 HAVRO 2,57 5,93  lSGR 
0  0  0   1  0  0   0   0  0    0   0   0   1  -2,00
05-06 HAVRO 2,57 5,93  SAG  
0  0  0   0  1  0   1   0  0    0   0   0   2   0,00
05-06 HAVRO 2,57 5,93  tOPH 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0   0  0    0   1   0   1   5,00
05-06 HAVRO 2,57 5,93  Spor 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0  1,5 4   4,5  7   0   17  4,00
13-14 HAVRO 3,49 6,05  Spor 
0  0  0   0  2  1  0,5  4  4   13  11,5 0   36  3,56  8,3
13-14 HAVRO 3,49 6,05  jLYR 
0  0  0   0  0  0  0,5 0,50,5   2  1,5  0   5   3,70
13-14 HAVRO 3,49 6,05  oSCO 
0  0  0   0  0 0,5 0,5  0  0    1   0   0   2   2,25
13-14 HAVRO 3,49 6,05  tOPH 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0   0  1    1   0   0   2   3,50
13-14 HAVRO 3,49 6,05  lSGR 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0   0  0    0   1   0   1   5,00
13-14 HAVRO 3,49 6,05  gSGR 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0,50,5   0   0   0   1   2,50
18-19 HAVRO 3,52 5,94  Spor 
0  0  0  0,5 1  2   2   1 8,5 12,5 5,5  0   33  3,18  9,1
18-19 HAVRO 3,52 5,94  jLYR 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0   0  0    3   1   0   4   4,25
18-19 HAVRO 3,52 5,94  lSGR 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0   0  0    3   1   0   4   4,25
18-19 HAVRO 3,52 5,94  cSCO 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0   0 0,5  1,5  0   0   2   3,75
18-19 HAVRO 3,52 5,94  tOPH 
0  0  0   0  0  0   0   0  0    1   0   0   1   4,00
----------------------------------------------------------


# E n r i c o   S t o m e o 
---------------------------
# Unione Astrofili Italiani
# Sezione Meteore
# http://www.uai.it/sez_met


 Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 18:43:51 +0200 From: Masm Subject: Pegasids 1999 Hi: On my web you can find my observations about the Pegasids radiant during the nights 10-11 and 9-10 of July. Thanks. ____________________________ ----Masm---- m.a.s.m.@euskaltnet.net http://members.es.tripod.de/masm/ ____________________________ Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 18:58:46 +0200 From: Masm Subject: Pegasidas / Pegasids 10-11/07/1999 Radiante / Shower: Pegasidas / Pegasids Fecha / Date:10-11/Jul.-Jul./1999 Inicio / Begin: 21h.50m. UT Final / End: 23h. 51m. UT Pausas / Pauses: ----. Observador / Observer: Miguel A. Serra Martin (SERMI) Lugar de observacion / Place: Gorriti, Navarra, Spain. Codigo IMO / IMO Code: 15.635 ------------------------------------------------------------------- HORA (TU) Campo Tef F MALE JPE SDA ESP TOTAL TIME (UT) Field Tef F MALE JPE SDA SPO TOTAL 21.50-22.49 300º+10º 0.98 1.00 5.90 P 0 P 0 02 02 22.50-23.51 300º+10º 0.97 1.00 5.99 P 2 P 2 02 08 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL/TOTAL: 1.95 1.00 5.95 P 2 P 2 06 08 MALE: Magnitud limite estelar /Limit magnitude F: Nubes / Clouds Tef: Tiempo efectivo /Effective time ---------------------------------------- RADIANTES -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 TOTAL RADIANTS JPE 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 02 SDA 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 02 ESP / SPO 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 04 ---------------------------------------- TOTAL 0 0 2 1 1 3 1 08 Más información del informe lo podéis encontrar en mi web. El lugar de observación ya está codificado por IMO cuyo código es 15.635. Las condiciones atmosféricas fueron buenas, el cielo completamente depejado. Radiante poco activa. More information about this summary you can find on my web. The place of observation is codificated by IMO, yet. IMO code is 15.635. Atmospherical conditions was good. Clear sky. Radiant was less active. ____________________________ ----Masm---- m.a.s.m.@euskaltnet.net http://members.es.tripod.de/masm/ ____________________________ Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 18:54:03 +0200 From: Masm Subject: Pegasidas / Pegasids 9-10/07/1999 Radiante / Shower: Pegasidas / Pegasids Fecha / Date:09-10/Jul.-Jul./1999 Inicio / Begin: 22h.30m. UT Final / End: 00h. 25m. UT Pausas / Pauses: ----. Observador / Observer: Miguel A. Serra Martin (SERMI) Lugar de observacion / Place: Gorriti, Navarra, Spain. Codigo IMO / IMO Code: 15.635 ------------------------------------------------------------------- HORA (TU) Campo Tef F MALE JPE SDA ESP TOTAL TIME (UT) Field Tef F MALE JPE SDA SPO TOTAL 22.30-23.29 300º+10º 0.98 1.00 5.80 P 1 P 1 02 04 23.30-00.25 300º+10º 0.91 1.00 6.00 P 1 P 0 00 01 --------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL/TOTAL: 2.36 1.00 6.00 C45 C 1 05 51 MALE: Magnitud limite estelar /Limit magnitude F: Nubes / Clouds Tef: Tiempo efectivo /Effective time ---------------------------------------- RADIANTES -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 TOTAL RADIANTS JPE 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 02 SDA 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 01 ESP / SPO 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 02 ---------------------------------------- TOTAL 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 06 Más información del informe lo podéis encontrar en mi web. El lugar de observación ya está codificado por IMO cuyo código es 15.635. Las condiciones atmosféricas fueron buenas, el cielo completamente despejado. Radiante poco activa. More information about this summary you can find on my web. The place of observation is codificated by IMO, yet. IMO code is 15.635. Atmospherical conditions was good. Clear sky. Radiant was less active. ____________________________ ----Masm---- m.a.s.m.@euskaltnet.net http://members.es.tripod.de/masm/ ____________________________ Date: Sun, 11 Jul 1999 23:31:17 +0200 From: "Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Subject: July 11th observations Dear colleagues, The past night our team continue working on minor showers activity from double station network. Juli Castellano-Roig observed 6 meteors radiating from RA=309° & Dec=+67° in the interval 01h10-02h05 TU (approx. mean geocentric velocity 35km/s). Considering the uncertainty in the radiant visual position, possibly these meteors were Omicron Draconids. Please note the following data that reveals an important activity of Pegasids. Observer: Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez (IMO CODE: TRIJO) Dept. Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Valencia Member of SOMYCE and GEA Observing site: Benicassim, Castellon, Spain Longitude: E 0° 02' 19'' Latitude: 40° 01' 22''N , Altitude: 10 meters. July 11th 1999 METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F LSA PEG CAP AQ PER SPO 0025-0145 1.20 5.95 1.00 0 2 2 0 1 2 0145-0300 1.05 6.10 1.00 1 6 0 1 0 4 Center field of view: RA=300° Dec=+15° METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(number) Sporadics: +2(2),+3(1),+4(1),+5(2) Pegasids (PEG): -2(1, train 4 seconds), -1(1, train 1 s.), 0(2), +2(0.5), +3(1.5),+4(1),+5(1) Lambda Sagitarids. +3(1) Alpha Capricornids (CAP): +4(1.5),+5(0.5) Aquarids: +3(1) Perseids: -1(1) ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez Department Astronomia i Astrofísica Universitat de València SOMYCE jmtrigo@ctv.es http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones : (+Spain Code) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 c/Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) ****************************************************************** Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 13:57:18 -0700 (PDT) From: Peter Jenniskens **ACM 1999 meeting** 6th circular to members of the IAU C-22 Pro-Am Working Group ====================================================================== Date: July 10, 1999 Workshop "The Leonids: slides and guides", Wednesday July 28, 14-17:00 Harvard Room, Statler Hotel, Ithaca, NY This year's Asteroids Comets, Meteors meeting at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, is a new opportunity to strengthen the bonds between amateur and professional meteor observers. As proposed by IAU C-22 Pro-Am Working Group member Jim Richardson, and supported by IAU C-22 president Jack Baggaley, we will meet for an ACM Workshop in the Harvard Room of the Statler Hotel on Wednesday July 28, between 14:00 and 17:00 local time. The workshop will be a show and tell of recent projects that involve the participation of amateur observers. Many such projects occurred during the recent Leonid shower. Hence, we chose as a title "The Leonids: slides and guides". We welcome more informal reports on last year's campaigns, which did not get sufficient time in the main program, with an emphasis on plans for the upcoming Leonid campaign. We will have various audiovisual means to our disposal. We also welcome reports of other ongoing activities, such as the fireball networks, the forward meteor scatter networks, and other activities that involve amateur meteor observers. The talks are open to both professional and amateur observers. If you would like to make a presentation during this workshop, please contact me at e-mail: peter@max.arc.nasa.gov. I will prepare an agenda. Peter Jenniskens President IAU C-22 Pro-Amat Workinggroup .......................................................................... Peter Jenniskens The SETI Institute e-mail: peter@max.arc.nasa.gov NASA Ames Research Center tel: (650) 604-3086 Mail Stop 239-4 fax: (650) 604-1088 Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 http://leonids.arc.nasa.gov/pjenniskens.html 1999 Leonid MAC http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov 1998 Leonid MAC http://leonids.arc.nasa.gov Send attachments to: pjenniskens@mail.arc.nasa.gov From jmtrigo@ctv.es Mon Jul 19 10:26:38 1999 Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 10:18:06 +0200 From: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" To: "'Rainer Arlt (IMO)'" <100114.1361@compuserve.com>, "'Peter Jenniskens (NASA)'" , 'Peter Brown' , "[iso-8859-1] \"'Jürgen Rendtel (IMO)'\"" , "'Marc Gyssens (WGN, IMO)'" Cc: 'Lew Gramer' , 'IMO NEWS' , "'coaa@mail.telepac.pt'" , "[iso-8859-1] 'Albert Sánchez Caso'" , "[iso-8859-1] \"'Asdai Díaz (A. Meteoros Cuba)'\"" Subject: On high meteor activity the past July 11th [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] Dear colleagues, Yesterday morning was received in IMO NEWS an e-mail from Bev Ewen (COAA, Portugal) announcing high meteor activity during July 11th in SL=108.73° (2000.00) in basis to doppler radio observations. Our team of the Spanish Photographic Meteor Network (SPMN-SOMYCE) detected the same day an interesting activity from Pegasids (July). The observational data was sent the past days to Rainer Arlt and to IMO list. We note that Pegasids activity was unusual during July 11th (0145-0300 UT, with an important component of bright meteors and a ZHR near 15 meteors per hour. This increase is in good agreement with the expected solar longitude maximum of this minor shower according IMO radiant list. The same night a member of our network Juli Castellano-Roig observed 6 faint meteors radiating from RA=309° & Dec=+67° in the interval 01h10-02h05 UT (approx. mean geocentric velocity 35km/s). After this interval the activity from this radiant was low or non-existent. Considering the uncertainty in the radiant visual position, possibly these meteors were Omicron Draconids. No other important activity was observed from other radiants during this night. We hope receive any July 11th observation from american groups in the interval of high meteor activity reported at COAA, ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo-Rodriguez Department Astronomy & Astrophysics University of Valencia (SPAIN) SOMYCE jmtrigo@ctv.es http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones : (+Spain Code) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 c/Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) ****************************************************************** From marcolan@stad.dsl.nl Mon Jul 19 10:28:53 1999 Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 14:20:30 +0200 (CEST) From: Marco Langbroek To: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Cc: "'Rainer Arlt (IMO)'" <100114.1361@compuserve.com>, "'Peter Jenniskens (NASA)'" , 'Peter Brown' , "[iso-8859-1] \"'Jürgen Rendtel (IMO)'\"" , "'Marc Gyssens (WGN, IMO)'" , 'Lew Gramer' , 'IMO NEWS' , "'coaa@mail.telepac.pt'" , "[iso-8859-1] 'Albert Sánchez Caso'" , "[iso-8859-1] \"'Asdai Díaz (A. Meteoros Cuba)'\"" , Carl Johannink , Arnold Tukkers , Koen Miskotte Subject: Re: On high meteor activity the past July 11th Hello Jose and others, 7 observers, including me, observed meteors from Lattrop public observatory (the Netherlands) on the night of July 10-11 from 22 to 1h UT; that is, just prior to the Spanish observational interval. Conditions were good with Lm at +6.5. A report has been send to Rainer and a few others in above list, and to 'meteorobs' newsgroup (USA). July Pegasids are synonymous to the 'tau Aquarids' in my report. We did not note anything particular from the July Pegasid radiant or its surroundings. My plottings (from observations between 22:10 and 1:05 UT) show only one stream member. I cannot recall any of our other observers reporting much Pegasids. That is not to say that the Spanish report is dismissed by this. It only shows that this reported high activity must have taken place after 1 UT only, otherwise we would have observed it too. - Marco Langbroek Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) Jan Steenlaan 46 NL-2251 JH Voorschoten The Netherlands marcolan@stad.dsl.nl From marcolan@stad.dsl.nl Mon Jul 19 10:29:15 1999 Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 15:14:15 +0200 (CEST) From: Marco Langbroek To: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Cc: "'Rainer Arlt (IMO)'" <100114.1361@compuserve.com>, "'Peter Jenniskens (NASA)'" , 'Peter Brown' , "[iso-8859-1] \"'Jürgen Rendtel (IMO)'\"" , "'Marc Gyssens (WGN, IMO)'" , 'Lew Gramer' , 'IMO NEWS' , "'coaa@mail.telepac.pt'" , "[iso-8859-1] 'Albert Sánchez Caso'" , "[iso-8859-1] \"'Asdai Díaz (A. Meteoros Cuba)'\"" , Carl Johannink , Arnold Tukkers , Koen Miskotte , dms-mail , NAMN Meteorobs Subject: rechecked July 10-11 plottings Hello again Josep and others, Given the Spanish report on high July Pegasid activity at July 11th, I rechecked my plottings from the night 10-11 July and in doing so found a second July Pegasid that I somehow initially had mis-classified as a sporadic! That brings my total count of Pegasids from that night at 2 (two) in 2.53 effective hours. Below a revised data entry obs: Marco Langbroek LANMA date: July 10-11 loc.: Lattrop, the Netherlands, 52d 26'N, 6d 58' E UT Teff Lm Per Cap oCyg jPeg Sag Spo 22:10-23:00 0.73 6.4 1 0 0 0* 1 9 23:00-00:00 0.90 6.5 0 2 0 2* 0 11 00:00-01:05 0.90 6.3 2 1 1 0* 0 18 All meteors classified from plottings. - Marco Langbroek Dutch Meteor Society From meteors@eclipse.net Mon Jul 19 10:29:40 1999 Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 09:37:49 -0400 From: Wayne T Hally To: Josep Ma Trigo i Rodriguez , 'Marco Langbroek' Cc: "'Rainer Arlt (IMO)'" <100114.1361@compuserve.com>, "'Peter Jenniskens (NASA)'" , 'Peter Brown' , "'Jurgen Rendtel (IMO)'" , "'Marc Gyssens (WGN, IMO)'" , 'Lew Gramer' , 'IMO NEWS' , "'coaa@mail.telepac.pt'" , 'Albert Sanchez Caso' , "'Asdai Diaz (A. Meteoros Cuba)'" , Carl Johannink , Arnold Tukkers , Koen Miskotte Subject: RE: On high meteor activity the past July 11th Due to cloudy conditions I was only able to observe from 0630 to 0810 UT (~1.5 Hr Teff) on the 11th, several hours later, and rates were not abnormal ( LOCATION: NJAA OBSERVATORY, HIGH BRIDGE, NJ USA (25186) COORDINATES: 74d 53' 54" West 40d 40' 52" North ELEVATION: 830 feet (253 Meters) Of the 10 meteors recorded under ~LM 5.6 skies only one was a potential JPE. The only other item of note were two fast bright trained meteors which stood out from the rest of the rather faint and short selections that morning, which would have come from a radiant near Triangulum or 41 ARI. Wayne ---------- From: Marco Langbroek[SMTP:marcolan@stad.dsl.nl] Sent: Saturday, July 17, 1999 8:20 AM To: Josep Ma Trigo i Rodriguez Cc: 'Rainer Arlt (IMO)'; 'Peter Jenniskens (NASA)'; 'Peter Brown'; 'Jurgen Rendtel (IMO)'; 'Marc Gyssens (WGN, IMO)'; 'Lew Gramer'; 'IMO NEWS'; 'coaa@mail.telepac.pt'; 'Albert Sanchez Caso'; 'Asdai Diaz (A. Meteoros Cuba)'; Carl Johannink; Arnold Tukkers; Koen Miskotte Subject: Re: On high meteor activity the past July 11th Hello Jose and others, 7 observers, including me, observed meteors from Lattrop public observatory (the Netherlands) on the night of July 10-11 from 22 to 1h UT; that is, just prior to the Spanish observational interval. Conditions were good with Lm at +6.5. A report has been send to Rainer and a few others in above list, and to 'meteorobs' newsgroup (USA). July Pegasids are synonymous to the 'tau Aquarids' in my report. We did not note anything particular from the July Pegasid radiant or its surroundings. My plottings (from observations between 22:10 and 1:05 UT) show only one stream member. I cannot recall any of our other observers reporting much Pegasids. That is not to say that the Spanish report is dismissed by this. It only shows that this reported high activity must have taken place after 1 UT only, otherwise we would have observed it too. - Marco Langbroek Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) Jan Steenlaan 46 NL-2251 JH Voorschoten The Netherlands marcolan@stad.dsl.nl From peter@max.arc.nasa.gov Mon Jul 19 10:48:48 1999 Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 13:57:18 -0700 (PDT) From: Peter Jenniskens To: leonids@nis.lanl.gov, meteorobs@latrade.com, imo-news@imo.net, peter@max.arc.nasa.gov **ACM 1999 meeting** 6th circular to members of the IAU C-22 Pro-Am Working Group ====================================================================== Date: July 10, 1999 Workshop "The Leonids: slides and guides", Wednesday July 28, 14-17:00 Harvard Room, Statler Hotel, Ithaca, NY This year's Asteroids Comets, Meteors meeting at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, is a new opportunity to strengthen the bonds between amateur and professional meteor observers. As proposed by IAU C-22 Pro-Am Working Group member Jim Richardson, and supported by IAU C-22 president Jack Baggaley, we will meet for an ACM Workshop in the Harvard Room of the Statler Hotel on Wednesday July 28, between 14:00 and 17:00 local time. The workshop will be a show and tell of recent projects that involve the participation of amateur observers. Many such projects occurred during the recent Leonid shower. Hence, we chose as a title "The Leonids: slides and guides". We welcome more informal reports on last year's campaigns, which did not get sufficient time in the main program, with an emphasis on plans for the upcoming Leonid campaign. We will have various audiovisual means to our disposal. We also welcome reports of other ongoing activities, such as the fireball networks, the forward meteor scatter networks, and other activities that involve amateur meteor observers. The talks are open to both professional and amateur observers. If you would like to make a presentation during this workshop, please contact me at e-mail: peter@max.arc.nasa.gov. I will prepare an agenda. Peter Jenniskens President IAU C-22 Pro-Amat Workinggroup .......................................................................... Peter Jenniskens The SETI Institute e-mail: peter@max.arc.nasa.gov NASA Ames Research Center tel: (650) 604-3086 Mail Stop 239-4 fax: (650) 604-1088 Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000 http://leonids.arc.nasa.gov/pjenniskens.html 1999 Leonid MAC http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov 1998 Leonid MAC http://leonids.arc.nasa.gov Send attachments to: pjenniskens@mail.arc.nasa.gov From cjohannink@netside.de Mon Jul 19 10:58:43 1999 Date: Sat, 17 Jul 1999 15:09:25 +0200 From: Carl Johannink To: Marco Langbroek , "[ISO-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Cc: "'Rainer Arlt (IMO)'" <100114.1361@compuserve.com>, "'Peter Jenniskens (NASA)'" , 'Peter Brown' , "[ISO-8859-1] 'Jürgen Rendtel (IMO)'" , "'Marc Gyssens (WGN, IMO)'" , 'Lew Gramer' , 'IMO NEWS' , "'coaa@mail.telepac.pt'" , "[ISO-8859-1] 'Albert Sánchez Caso'" , "[ISO-8859-1] 'Asdai Díaz (A. Meteoros Cuba)'" , Arnold Tukkers , Koen Miskotte Subject: Re: On high meteor activity the past July 11th [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] > Hello Jose and others, > > 7 observers, including me, observed meteors from Lattrop public observatory > (the Netherlands) on the night of July 10-11 from 22 to 1h UT; that is, > just prior to the Spanish observational interval. Conditions were good > with Lm at +6.5. A report has been send to Rainer and a few others in > above list, and to 'meteorobs' newsgroup (USA). July Pegasids are > synonymous to the 'tau Aquarids' in my report. > > We did not note anything particular from the July Pegasid radiant or its > surroundings. My plottings (from observations between 22:10 and 1:05 UT) > show only one stream member. I cannot recall any of our other observers > reporting much Pegasids. > > That is not to say that the Spanish report is dismissed by this. It only > shows that this reported high activity must have taken place after > 1 UT only, otherwise we would have observed it too. > > - Marco Langbroek > Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) > Jan Steenlaan 46 > NL-2251 JH Voorschoten > The Netherlands > marcolan@stad.dsl.nl I fully agree with Marco. I observed no July Pegasids between 22:15 and 01:05 UT. Carl Johannink From ai11rich@ux-01.dd.bib.de Mon Jul 19 16:34:16 1999 Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 15:11:41 METDST From: "Janko F. Richter" Reply-To: r@ux-01.dd.bib.de To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: VISDAT 4.2 has been released Hello meteor freaks, The new VISDAT version 4.2 has been published and is availible via http://www.imo.net/software/visdat . What you can achieve with VISDAT - Recording of plottings,reportings, countings - Measurement of meteor positions by ruler, scanner, graphical tablet - Import of X-Y-Coordinates from external ASCII-File - Reporting of visual observations orientated by IMO - Shower association by IMO standard - Changing the shower association criterias for special analyses (for instance determination of background noise) - Converting reported observations in other formats like POSDAT/VMDB - Archive observations - Browse and edit databases incl. radiant-, observer- and site- databases - Some evaluations like summarize ZHRs - Direct access to databases via dBase commands - Support of program RADIANT by Rainer Arlt What is new in version 4.2 ? * VISDAT is a little bit userfriendly now - I hope so ;-) * New input screen for observational session data (including limiting magnitude calculator and data check) * Displaying of measured meteors (positions) * Database check enabled in this version * Check of countings is possible (e.g. "Shower above horizon ?") * Faster data processing (in shower association, generating VMDB report, databases, calculating total rates) * A program for installation * Bugs in version 4.1 has been removed (e.g. year 2000 bug) How to install VISDAT Please follow this steps consecutively: 1.Create a directory for VISDAT program files, e.g. C:\ASTRO\VISDAT 2.Create a directory for VISDAT data files, e.g. C:\DATA\VISDAT 3.Create a temporary directory, e.g. C:\VTEMP 4.Copy the files INSTALL.BAT, VISDAT.LIB and VISDAT42.ENG (or VISDAT42.DEU for german version) into the temporary directory 5.Run: INSTALL.BAT and follow the instructions 6.Run: VISDAT (program will start) 7.Run menu path /DATABASES/SITES and check, whether your observational site is included in site database 8.Run menu path /DATABASES/OBSERVERS and check, whether you or other observers are included in observer database For additional help, please consult the VISDAT help system. Support We offer support for your questions for instance about installation, using or evaluation. A registration is possible too. That means you will get the latest news about VISDAT via e-mail. Send me a brief e-mail after that i will regular inform you about the latest news. And here the address for support or registration: Janko F. Richter richte-j@t-online.de From jmtrigo@ctv.es Tue Jul 20 16:55:14 1999 Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 10:11:31 +0200 From: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" To: 'IMO NEWS' , 'AMS Electronic Circular' , 'Bev M Ewen-Smith' , "'Rainer Arlt (IMO)'" <100114.1361@compuserve.com> Cc: "'SGodwin286@aol.com'" , 'Carl Johannink' , 'Wayne T Hally' , "'Peter Jenniskens (NASA)'" Subject: On July 11th activity [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] Dear friends, Thank you all observers for the response. I need correct that in my last e-mail as "high activity" we make reference to possible radio enhancement from Portugal, not to our quite moderate activity report! Moreover, we confirm that Pegasids 1999 activity has been very interesting. We have observed this shower in other occasions but this year presented a 5-10 meteors per hour level, rich in bright meteors. This moderate activity was our mean (and unique) reason to suspect a possible connection with the radio increase during July 11th in SL=108.73° (2000.00) reported from Portugal. BUT, we cannot know if really such activity detected at 13h UT was coming from Pegasids radiant! At this moment we not know visual observations during the radio increase. We hope receive some additional data from American observers. We include finally the data reported by Bev M.Ewen in the e-mail of July 11th. Only high activity was reported in 45 minutes and perhaps coming from other radiant... >According to doppler radio observations at COAA (37 11N 08 36W), much higher than normal persistent trails are evident from >around 1999-07-11 13:00UT to at least the present time 13:45UT. >The doppler signals are fairly symmetrically distributed between positive and negative doppler shifts which suggests a radiant (or at >least the resulting plasma) mostly close to the meridian (ca 8 hours RA). ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez Department Astronomia i Astrofísica Universitat de València SOMYCE jmtrigo@ctv.es http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones : (+Spain Code) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 c/Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) ****************************************************************** From amartine@elecrisc.ing.ucv.ve Tue Jul 20 19:10:05 1999 Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 12:33:30 -0400 (AST) From: "Antonio Martinez P." To: Red de Noticias de IMO Subject: Pegasids (MARTI) (fwd) Here are a few little observation time... PLACE: Caracas; 10.47N; 66.82W OBSERVER: Antonio Martinez=MARTI FIELD OF VIEW: 1: alfa=290; delta=+40 HOURLY RATES: DATE(UT) PERIOD UT Field Teff _F__ _Lm_ PEG OTH TOT PLACE OBS 11/07/99 0735-0825 - 0.90 1.05 5.70 002 --1 --3 A MARTI MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTIONS: Date(UT) Period UT L.m. -03 -02 -01 000 +01 +02 +03 +04 SHOWER 11/07/99 0732-0825 5.70 --- --- 001 000 000 0.5 0.5 --- PEG 11/07/99 0732-0825 5.70 --- --- --- --- 001 --- --- --- OTH PLOTTING METHOD ONLY Best Wishes. Ciao! From jmtrigo@ctv.es Thu Jul 22 11:50:17 1999 Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 09:00:40 +0200 From: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" To: "'Rainer Arlt (IMO)'" <100114.1361@compuserve.com> Cc: "'l-somyce@aagc.dis.ulpgc.es'" , 'IMO-News mailing list' Subject: July 21th observations [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] Dear colleagues, Our team continues its work on minor showers from double station network. Juli Castellano-Roig and myself analyze during July 21th the activity from Aquarius. Please note the following data as advance of our results. Observer: Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez (IMO CODE: TRIJO) Dept. Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Valencia Member of SOMYCE and GEA Observing site: Benicassim, Castellon, Spain Longitude: E 0° 02' 19'' Latitude: 40° 01' 22''N , Altitude: 10 meters. July 21th 1999 METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F PAU SDA NDA SIA PER SPO 0010-0120 1.20 5.95 1.00 0 0 1 0 0 4 0120-0230 1.05 6.10 1.00 1 1 0 1 2 3 Center field of view: RA=315° Dec=+10° METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(number) Sporadics: +2(2),+3(1),+4(2.5),+5(1.5) Piscis Australids (PAU): +4(1) North Delta Aquarids (NDA). +3(1) South Iota Aquarids (SIA): +5(1) South Delta Aquarids (SDA): +3(1) Perseids (PER): +2(0.5),+3(0.5),+4(1) ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez Department Astronomia i Astrofísica Universitat de València MUNDO CIENTIFICO (la Recherche) Planetari de Castelló jmtrigo@ctv.es http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones : (+Spain Code) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 c/Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) ****************************************************************** From news@charlie.luc.ac.be Fri Jul 23 16:09:08 1999 Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 15:06:30 +0200 (MET DST) From: Mailing List Operator Reply-To: Juergen Rendtel To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: Journal WGN Dear WGN subscribers, Unfortunately, work commitments of the Editor caused a delay in producing the IMO Journal WGN. A combined June-August issue will be mailed in early August in order to work away delays. Juergen Rendtel IMO President ************************************************************************ Juergen Rendtel Astrophysical Institute Potsdam jrendtel@aip.de Telegrafenberg A 27 Phone: (+49) 331 - 288 2327 (office) D-14473 Potsdam Fax: (+49) 331 - 288 2310 http://aipsoe.aip.de/~rend/rnl-p.html International Meteor Organization Phone: (+49) 33208 - 50753 (priv.) Seestr.6, D-14476 Marquardt ************************************************************************ Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1999 19:41:23 +0200 From: Roberto Gorelli Subject: IMC 99 Hello friends, there are yet some available accomodations for the IMC 99. I enclose the registration form and other useful informations: more details shall be ready next month. You can come for the IMC in September and see Rome too, arriving or leaving some days before or after IMC. We can arrange booking at the same hotel where the IMC participants shall be lodged, at the price of 75.000 Lit (about 72 DEM) (Breakfast Dinner Lodge) for each day per person in single room or 95.000 Lit (about 90 DEM) for each day per person in single room (Breakfast Lunch Dinner Lodge) I hope to see you at Frasso Sabino. Best regards Roberto Gorelli (please remember that link http:/7www.mclink.it/astro/uai ... is out of order) International Meteor Organization IMC 99 - Frasso Sabino, Italy, September 23-26, 1999 Registration Form Each individual participant should fill out a form and return it to Ina Rendtel, Mehlbeerenweg 5, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany, as soon as possible. Your registration will be guaranteed only after Ina Rendtel has received the minimum prepayment of 100 DEM. If you wish to par- ticipate, but cannot yet decide, simply return this form with the proper option checked to stay on the mailing list for further cir- culars. Name: __________________________________ Birth date: _____________ Address: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ Phone: _______________ Fax: _____________ Email: _________________ o wishes to register for the 1999 IMC from September 23 to 26; o intends to participate, cannot yet register, but wishes to stay on the mailing list. I intend to travel by _____________, together with _______________ Additional requests: o I need travel information from ____________ to Frasso Sabino; o I wish to stay in Italy before or after the IMC and require additional information regarding this matter. For participants wishing to contribute to the program: Lecture: _________________________________________________________ Duration: _____ min Required equipment: __________________________ Workshop or discussion: __________________________________________ Poster presentation: _______________________________ Space: ___ m2 Either the entire fee of 240 DEM or a prepayment of at least 100 DEM should be sent: in Europe pay in DEM to the treasurer, Ina Rendtel, Mehlbeeren- weg 5, D-14469 Potsdam, Gemany by - postal (giro) account number: 547234-107 bank code: 10010010 Postbank Berlin (bank code and postbank to be mentioned together with account number!) (NO BANK CHECKS, PLEASE!); n UK to Mr. Alastair McBeath, 12A Prior's Walk, Morpeth, Nothumberland NE61 2RF, England; in Japan to Mr. Masahiro Koseki, 4-3-5 Annaka, Annaka-chi, 379-01 Gunma-ken, Japan; all others pay in USD to Mr. Robert Lunsford, 161 Vance Street, Chula Vista, California 91910, USA. (In case you pay by bank check, make it payable to Mr. Robert Lunsford, NOT TO IMO!) People wishing to pay in other currencies should contact the appropriate IMO contact person for exchange rates. Participants paying only 100 DEM have to pay the remaining 140 DEM upon arrival in Frasso Sabino. Date and signature: ____________________________________________ From auvoir@singnet.com.sg Mon Aug 2 15:59:49 1999 Date: Sun, 01 Aug 1999 20:45:11 +0800 From: Kelvin Seet To: Amateur and Professional Astronomers List , IMO News Subject: Fireball? Or Meteor? Or just a flare? Hi! On the night of 28th July 1999 (night of the partial lunar eclipse), around 2015 hours (UT + 8 hrs) Singapore time, A group of us saw a falling object in the sky within the region of Scorpius, Lupus or Sagittarius (sorry for being inexact as we were located within a building). My location is at 1 degree 19' 48" N, 103 degrees 49' 48" E. It's visual magnitude was estimated to be about -5.0 (taking into account the brightness of the full moon). It lasted for about 4 seconds and was bright yellow (the colour of a ball of fire to be exact). It was unlike the streak of light in the case of sporadic meteors, and not at all similar to the Leonids which I have witnessed back in November 1998. And it had no tracks visible to our eyes. Therefore, I would like to ask if other similar sightings have been reported or if what I have seen is nothing but a military flare. Please comment. Thanks! Kelvin Seet Astronomical Society Nanyang Technological University Singapore -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Seet's Condominium http://www.singnet.com.sg/~auvoir ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [Part 2, "S/MIME Cryptographic Signature" Application/X-PKCS7-SIGNATURE 3.4KB] [Unable to print this part] From pegasoft@accu.uu.nl Mon Aug 23 13:28:03 1999 Date: ma, 09 aug 1999 02:09:35 +0200 From: Casper ter Kuile To: meteorobs@latrade.com, imo-news@imo.net, dms-mail@onelist.com, spurny@asu.cas.cz, hugo@astro.rug.nl, VVS@LISTSERV.CC.KULEUVEN.AC.BE, zenit@astro.rug.nl, fidac@imo.net, jrendtel@aip.de, er.van.tilburg@consunet.nl, geozay@aol.com Subject: revised trajectory DMS 310799 fireball Dear all, We have revised the trajectory results for the impressive fragmenting fireball of 31 July 1999 over the Netherlands, reported in an earlier mail. While starting point and general direction remain similar to our earlier results, the end point has been revised considerably. We now believe the fireball travelled a much longer trajectory. Below is an excerpt from our revised website bulletin: a map with the trajectory can be found on our website (see below): "A revised trajectory based on observers who give sky coordinates of start and end point indicates a long trajectory of 180 km length. The object came approximately from azimuth 325 degrees (N-NW, travelling towards S-SE) appearing first over the Dutch part of the North Sea some 50 km outside the Dutch coast (about 52d 35' N, 3d 50' E), roughly ~75 km NW from Amsterdam. There is some leeway in the true starting point since many observers presumably missed the early part of the appearation. The object entered the coastline between Leiden and The Hague just halfway on its trajectory, and ended on the Dutch-Belgian border, in the southeastern part of Dutch Brabant (about 51d 20' N, 5d 25' E) approximately 15 km south of Eindhoven. Again, there is some leeway in this position because some observers saw the fireball disappear behind trees etc. and therefore missed the true end point. We have too little accuracy in the results for a reliable end-height determination, but it is suggested to be roughly in the order of 60-70 km altitude: this was a grazing fireball. The velocity very roughly can be determined at between 15-35 km/s. This is too large for a satellite decay (typically about 7.65 km/s), moreover no satellite decay was expected for this time and location according to Alan Pickup (UK)." Marco Langbroek Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) Casper ter Kuile, Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) Akker 145, NL-3732 XD, De Bilt, The Netherlands Tel. +(31)-30-2203170, Fax. +(31)-30-2202695 GSM-BEN: +(31)-6-24242445, GSM-KPN: +(31)-6-53270844 E-mail_1: pegasoft@accu.uu.nl E-mail_2: dms-web@wxs.nl DMS website: http://home.wxs.nl/~dms-web/index.html From QGA00120@nifty.ne.jp Mon Aug 23 13:39:30 1999 Date: Sat, 14 Aug 1999 20:47:10 +0900 From: "[ISO-2022-JP] ^[$B9bM|!!2m>4^[(B" To: imo-news@imo.net, meteorobs@jovian.com Subject: Perseids in Japan : Preliminary results [The following text is in the "iso-2022-jp" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Perseids 1999 Visual results in Japan (The Nippon Meteor Society). ZHR has been computed with: - gamma = 1.0 (correction of Radiant elevation) - r = 2.6 (IMO Handbook for Visual Mereor Observers , Page 189) - excluding:observations under unfavourable condition (T<30m, Lm<4.0mag, Cl>0.4, RP-h<10deg) - SD : standerd deviation of ZHR - Err. : ZHR * 1/SQRT(#Per) --------------------------------------------------------- Time[UT] #Obs T.eff #Per ZHR(Per) SD Err. Remarks --------------------------------------------------------- Aug.11, 1999 11:30 1 1.50 7 83 - 31 12:30 0 - - - - - 13:30 1 1.00 7 45 - 17 14:30 1 1.00 16 73 - 18 15:30 0 - - - - - 16:30 0 - - - - - 17:30 1 1.00 20 34 - 8 18:30 3 2.00 51 60 27 8 19:00 1 0.50 16 133 - 33 Aug.12, 1999 12:30 1 0.50 2 103 - 73 13:30 3 2.42 16 55 20 14 14:30 3 1.83 34 125 70 21 15:30 2 1.50 40 61 14 10 16:30 3 2.00 74 90 20 10 17:30 10 8.97 518 113 34 5 18:20 9 7.48 528 159 48 7 Aug.13, 1999 00:30 1 0.75 10 50 - 16 Romania 13:30 1 1.00 18 55 - 13 14:30 1 1.00 37 86 - 14 15:30 5 4.33 87 70 28 8 16:30 5 3.47 112 97 18 9 17:30 1 1.00 77 100 - 11 18:20 4 3.12 110 75 44 7 --------------------------------------------------------- Observers : Nobuyuki FUKUDA, Takema HASHIMOTO, Isamu HATSUKADE, (22members) Shin'ya KIKUCHI, Atsushi KISANUKI, Wakaba KOBAYASHI, Karimu KURAGAKI, Kazutaka MIYAMURA, Hidekatsu MIZOGUCHI, Tomohiro OOISHI, Kazuhiro OSADA, Yasuo SHIBA, Hiroyuki SHIOI, Kazuhiro SUMIE, Masafumi SUZUKI, Mika TAKANASHI, Soichiro TAKEMOTO, Kazumi TERAKUBO, Hiroyuki TONOMURA(*), Yasuko TOOYA, Hiromichi YOSHIDOME, Masaaki YOSHIMURA (*):in ROMANIA Total observations (Aug.07-13) : 4,439minutes (= 73.98h) Total number of Perseids meteors (Aug.07-13) : 2,265 See more details showing at : http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/index_e.html http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/nmsnews_e.html http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/tbper99.html http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/per9901.gif ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Masaaki Takanashi (The Nippon Meteor Society / Gotemba city, JAPAN) E-Mail : QGA00120@nifty.ne.jp The Nippon Meteor Society's Web page : http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/index_e.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From QGA00120@nifty.ne.jp Mon Aug 23 13:56:03 1999 Date: Fri, 20 Aug 1999 15:44:35 +0900 From: "[ISO-2022-JP] ^[$B9bM|!!2m>4^[(B" To: imo-news@imo.net, meteorobs@jovian.com Subject: Perseids in Japan : Preliminary results [The following text is in the "iso-2022-jp" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Perseids 1999 Visual results in Japan (The Nippon Meteor Society). ZHR has been computed with: - gamma = 1.0 (correction of Radiant elevation) - r = 2.6 (IMO Handbook for Visual Mereor Observers , Page 189) - excluding:observations under unfavourable condition (T<30m, Lm<4.0mag, Cl>0.4, RP-h<10deg) - SD : standerd deviation of ZHR - Err. : ZHR * 1/SQRT(#Per) --------------------------------------------------------- Time[UT] #Obs T.eff #Per ZHR(Per) SD Err. Remarks --------------------------------------------------------- Aug.11, 1999 11:30 1 1.50 7 83 - 31 12:30 0 - - - - - 13:30 1 1.00 7 45 - 17 14:30 1 1.00 16 73 - 18 15:30 0 - - - - - 16:30 0 - - - - - 17:30 1 1.00 20 34 - 8 18:30 3 2.00 51 60 27 8 19:00 1 0.50 16 133 - 33 Aug.12, 1999 12:30 3 2.50 4 46 52 23 13:30 7 5.75 26 50 22 10 14:30 5 3.25 60 148 68 19 15:30 4 3.40 73 94 68 11 16:30 9 8.17 222 96 63 6 17:30 14 13.00 743 117 34 4 18:30 10 8.32 553 149 54 6 19:30 1 0.58 11 145 - 44 IRAN 20:30 2 2.08 40 81 8 13 ROMANIA,IRAN 21:30 1 0.62 4 41 - 21 ROMANIA 22:30 1 0.90 18 218 - 51 IRAN Aug.13, 1999 12:30 2 1.83 16 41 5 10 13:30 1 1.00 18 55 - 13 14:30 3 3.33 101 84 9 8 15:30 8 7.17 198 89 41 6 16:30 10 7.55 226 88 37 6 17:30 10 8.83 235 80 28 5 18:20 9 6.33 202 70 34 5 22:30 1 1.00 26 233 - 46 TURKEY --------------------------------------------------------- Observers : Yasunori FUJIWARA, Nobuyuki FUKUDA, Keiichi FUKUI, (44members) Takema HASHIMOTO, Isamu HATSUKADE, Kiyoshi IZUMI(*1), Shin'ya KIKUCHI, Atsushi KISANUKI, Wakaba KOBAYASHI, Hiroyuki KODAMA, Karimu KURAGAKI, Katsuhiko MAMETA, Hiromi MITAMURA, Kazuyuki MIYAMURA, Hidekatsu MIZOGUCHI, Hiroshi OGAWA,Yuhsuke OHKUBO, Tomohiro OOISHI, Kazuhiro OSADA, Mitsue SAKAGUCHI, Daisuke SATO, Koetsu SATO, Hirotaka SERIZAWA, Yasuo SHIBA, Hiroyuki SHIOI, Kazuhiro SUMIE, Masafumi SUZUKI, Mika TAKANASHI, Soichiro TAKEMOTO, Kazumi TERAKUBO, Yasuhiro TONOMURA(*2), Ayako TORASAWA, Takuo TORIGOE, Yasuko TOYA, Shigeo UCHIYAMA(*3), Satoshi UEHARA, Yasuo YABU(*2), Ayaka YAMAMOTO, Ikuo YAMAMOTO, Yumi YAMAMOTO, Yoko YAMANAMI(*1), Satomi YOKOCHI, Hiromichi YOSHIDOME, Masaaki YOSHIMURA (*1:in IRAN, *2:in ROMANIA, *3:in TURKEY) Total observations (Aug.07-17) : 9,076minutes (=151.27h) Total number of Perseids meteors (Aug.07-17) : 3,657Observers See more details showing at : http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/index_e.html http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/nmsnews_e.html http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/tbper99.html http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/per9901.gif ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Masaaki Takanashi (The Nippon Meteor Society / Gotemba city, JAPAN) E-Mail : QGA00120@nifty.ne.jp The Nippon Meteor Society's Web page : http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/index_e.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- From rarlt@aip.de Mon Aug 23 14:00:31 1999 Date: Sat, 21 Aug 1999 10:11:26 METDST From: Rainer Arlt To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: IMO Shower Circ. PER 1999 ------------------------------------- I M O S h o w e r C i r c u l a r ------------------------------------- PERSEIDS 1999 The perfect coincidence with the total solar eclipse on August 11 let many amateurs be on holidays and at a place good for meteor observing too. The new Moon served with dark nights, and particularly south-eastern Europe was lucky with widely clear skies, and, as usual, Near Eastern observers enjoyed good weather as well. This allowed for a good coverage of the 'new' Perseid peak, expected for near 23h UT, which has been noticed since 1988 and seems to be declining in activity. The traditional Perseid maximum should fall near 4h UT on August 13, but poor weather has limited the efforts of many east-coast observers in the US. Other American observers were fortunately more lucky. We are very grateful to the following observers who sent in their results quickly and allowed the computation of the below ZHR graph: Nada Abanda (ABANA, Jordan), Rainer Arlt (ARLRA, Germany), Emad Ashi (ASHEM, Jordan), Jure Atanackov (ATAJU, Slovenia), Juan A. Aveledo (AVEJU, Cuba), Lars Bakmann (BAKLA, Denmark), Martin Bily (BILMA, Czech R.), Louis S. Binder (BINLO, USA), Polona Bizjak (BIZPO, Slovenia), Tina Bizjak (BIZTI, Slovenia), Lukas Bolz (BOLLU, Germany), Michael Boschat (BOSMI, USA), Asdai Diaz Rodriguez (DIAAS, Cuba), Khalid Eid (EIDKH, Jordan), George W. Gliba (GLIGE, USA), Michal Haltuf (HALMI, Czech R.), Takema Hashimoto (HASTA, Japan), He Jingyang (JINHE, China), Javor Kac (KACJA, Slovenia), Vaclav Kalas (KALVA, Czech R.), Kevin Kilkenny (KILKE, USA), Andre Knofel (KNOAN, Germany), Jakub Koukal (KOUJA, Czech R.), Ales Kratochvil (KRAAL, Czech R.), Ralf Kuschnik (KUSRA, Germany), Marco Langbroek (LANMA, Netherlands), Adrian Lelyen (LELAD, Cuba), Robert Lunsford (LUNRO, USA), Hartwig Luthen (LUTHA, Germany), Pierre Martin (MARPI, Canada), Antonio Martinez (MARTI, Venezuela), Tony Markham (MARTO, UK), Alastair McBeath (MCBAL, UK), Mark Mikutis (MIKMR, USA), Koen Miskotte (MISKO, Netherlands), Sirko Molau (MOLSI, Germany), Francisco Munoz (MUNFR, Cuba), Jens O. Olesen (OLEJE, Denmark), Kazuhiro Osada (OSAKA, Japan), Radame Perez (PERRA, Cuba), Suyin Perret (PERSU, Venezuela), Maciej Reszelski (RESMA, Poland), Mileny Roche L. (ROCMI, Cuba), Marion Rudolph (RUDMA, Germany), Qi Rui (RUIQI, China), Ja'far Sabah (SABJA, Jordan), Maria Shihadeh (SHIMR, Jordan), Milos Weber (WEBMI, Czech R.), Oliver Wusk (WUSOL, Germany), Kim S. Youmans (YOUKI, USA), Ilkka Yrjola (YRJIL, Finland), Jure Zakrajsek (ZAKJU, Slovenia), George Zay (ZAYGE, USA), Ju Zhao (ZHAJU, USA), Xiaojin Zhu (ZHUXI, China), Vladimir Znojil (ZNOVL, Czech R.). For this first overview, only observations near the maximum were considered. Many more covering the activity period of the Perseids have been received already. A rough profile of the population index was computed showing the typical climb-down from r-values near 2.5 to 2.0, a few hours after the maximum reaching 1.8. The values were used to compute the ZHR profile as given below. The population indices given in the last column are interpolated values from the rough profile which has only 0.25 degree resolution at its best. -------------------------------------------------- Solarlong Date Periods nPER ZHR +- r (eq.2000) 1999, UT -------------------------------------------------- 138.251 Aug 11 0820 10 159 29.2 2.3 2.43 138.669 Aug 11 1850 15 195 34.0 2.4 2.57 138.786 Aug 11 2140 42 510 29.3 1.3 2.55 138.899 Aug 12 0030 38 510 32.8 1.4 2.47 139.149 Aug 12 0650 19 453 46.7 2.2 2.16 139.224 Aug 12 0840 9 293 45.0 2.6 2.14 139.570 Aug 12 1720 7 417 82.4 4.3 2.08 139.719 Aug 12 2100 9 107 60.7 5.8 2.11 139.752 Aug 12 2150 19 228 69.3 4.6 2.11 -------------------------------------------------- 139.778 Aug 12 2231 4 67 74.0 9.0 2.11 * resolution ~12 min. 139.783 Aug 12 2239 7 64 97.3 12.1 2.11 139.787 Aug 12 2245 11 110 100.5 9.5 2.11 139.798 Aug 12 2301 9 127 100.7 8.9 2.13 139.805 Aug 12 2312 9 125 96.9 8.6 2.14 139.814 Aug 12 2325 12 124 92.0 8.2 2.16 139.819 Aug 12 2333 15 150 87.0 7.1 2.17 139.830 Aug 12 2349 13 132 87.6 7.6 2.19 139.834 Aug 12 2355 14 134 87.5 7.5 2.20 139.840 Aug 13 0004 8 103 81.8 8.0 2.21 139.853 Aug 13 0024 5 79 93.5 10.5 2.23 139.861 Aug 13 0036 8 95 88.9 9.1 2.23 139.866 Aug 13 0043 9 98 77.6 7.8 2.23 139.878 Aug 13 0101 11 132 86.0 7.5 2.22 139.882 Aug 13 0107 10 121 86.7 7.9 2.21 139.892 Aug 13 0122 7 79 85.8 9.6 2.20 139.896 Aug 13 0128 4 53 87.0 11.8 2.20 * end high resolution -------------------------------------------------- 139.901 Aug 13 0140 10 198 76.8 5.4 2.19 140.000 Aug 13 0400 1 45 91.7 13.5 2.09 * note: only 1 obs. 140.127 Aug 13 0720 27 556 60.3 2.6 1.85 140.153 Aug 13 0750 34 831 61.4 2.1 1.84 140.287 Aug 13 1120 8 288 64.4 3.8 1.81 140.717 Aug 13 2200 23 488 48.3 2.2 2.12 140.764 Aug 13 2310 31 889 53.0 1.8 2.13 140.858 Aug 14 0130 9 414 60.9 3.0 2.15 141.236 Aug 14 1100 2 90 53.6 5.6 2.15 141.729 Aug 14 2320 4 44 24.1 3.6 2.15 -------------------------------------------------- The general acitivity level of the Perseids was not exciting in 1999. A clear maximum with ZHR~100 appears near 139.79 (eq. J2000.0; August 12, 2250 UT). Please note that the averages do cover several observers, though often only a single observer group, and systematic effects may be present in this first analysis -- peak time and ZHR can be easily different by 1 hour and 20 meteors/h respectively. We dare to conclude that the 'new' peak of the Perseids is to be vanishing next year, in two years at the latest. The high value of ZHR~90 at 140.0 (August 13, 0405 UT) is supposed to mark the traditional Perseid maximum, but is based on a single observation due to bad weather over large areas of the eastern United States. The peak of ZHR~80 at 139.57 is based on a number of observing periods from two high-perception observers; more observations from Asian longitudes will be necessary to find a comprehensive average. A detailed analysis will follow in one of the future issues of WGN, the Journal of the IMO. ----------------------------------------------------- Rainer Arlt, 1999 Aug 21. Visual Commission - International Meteor Organization visual@imo.net - http://www.imo.net ----------------------------------------------------- From stom@iol.it Mon Aug 23 14:01:48 1999 Date: Sun, 22 Aug 1999 22:32:31 +0200 From: Enrico Stomeo To: IMO-News mailing list Subject: [UAI-sm] Italian meteor results: 1999 July [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] Code        Observer -------------------------- HAVRO   Haver Roberto STOEN   Stomeo Enrico Loc           Site           Lat    Long -------------------------------------------- 1     Frasso Sabino, RI      +42,23  -12,81 Loc Obs   Jul99    UT      Dur  Lm   Cf  TOT PER iAQRs oDRA aCAP dAQRn aCYG dAQRs gDEL gDRA bCAP aAND Spor Notes tm  Teff ----------------------------------------------------------------------------   1 HAVRO 16,924 2140-2240 1,00 6,10 1,00 12  1   1     1    0     0    0    0     0    0    0    0    9   --   40  0,87   1 HAVRO 16,965 2240-2340 1,00 6,10 1,00 14  0   0     1    2     1    3    0     0    0    0    0    7   --   40  0,84   1 HAVRO 17,014 2350-0050 1,00 6,10 1,00 12  3   0     0    1     0    1    0     0    0    0    0    7   --   40  0,87   1 HAVRO 17,056 0050-0150 1,00 6,10 1,00 13  1   0     0    1     0    1    3    0     0    0    0    7   --   40  0,86   1 STOEN 17,904 2105-2219 0,80 6,13 1,00 10  0   0     0    1     0    1    0    3     1    0    0    4   --   20  0,74   1 HAVRO 17,924 2140-2240 1,00 6,10 1,00 15  1   0     1    2     1    0    1    0     0    0    2    7   --   40  0,83   1 STOEN 17,960 2223-2342 0,98 6,20 1,00 11  2   0     2    2     0    2    0    0     0    0    0    3  1rSGR 20  0,92   1 HAVRO 17,965 2240-2340 1,00 6,10 1,00 11  1   1     0    2     0    0    1    0     0    0    0    6   --   40  0,88   1 STOEN 18,012 2346-0050 0,86 6,20 1,00 14  2   0     0    2     0    0    0    0     3    1    0    6   1CAS 20  0,78   1 HAVRO 18,014 2350-0050 1,00 6,10 1,00 15  1   0     0    1     0    3    2    0     0    0    1    7   --   40  0,83   1 HAVRO 18,056 0050-0150 1,00 6,10 1,00 13  2   0     0    1     1    0    1    0     0    0    1    7   --   40  0,86   1 HAVRO 18,924 2140-2240 1,00 6,00 1,00 11  2   1     0    1     0    0    1    0     0    0    0    6   --   40  0,88   1 HAVRO 18,965 2240-2340 1,00 6,10 1,00 12  2   0     0    1     1    0    0    0     0    0    1    7   --   40  0,87   1 HAVRO 19,014 2350-0050 1,00 6,10 1,00 14  1   0     0    3     0    2    1    0     0    0    1    6   --   40  0,84   1 HAVRO 19,056 0050-0150 1,00 6,10 1,00 13  3   0     0    1     0    1    2    0     0    0    1    5   --   40  0,86 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jul99 Obs  Teff  Lm  Shower -5 -4 -3 -2 -1  00 +1  +2  +3  +4  +5  +6 TOT  Magn %Train ----------------------------------------------------------- 16-17 HAVRO 3,44 6,10  Spor 0  0  0  0 0,5 4,5  5  0,5 4   9,5  6  0  30  2,85  13,3 16-17 HAVRO 3,44 6,10  PER  0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  2   1,5 1,5 0  5   3,90   -- 16-17 HAVRO 3,44 6,10 iAQRs 0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0    0   1  0  1   5,00   -- 16-17 HAVRO 3,44 6,10  oDRA 0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0    1   1  0  2   4,50   -- 16-17 HAVRO 3,44 6,10  aCAP 0  0  0  0  0   0  2,5 0,50,5  0,5  0  0  4   1,75   -- 16-17 HAVRO 3,44 6,10 dAQRn 0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0    1   0  0  1   4,00   -- 16-17 HAVRO 3,44 6,10  aCYG 0  0  0  0  0  0,5 0,5  0 0,5   1  2,5 0  5   3,70   -- 16-17 HAVRO 3,44 6,10 dAQRs 0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0    1   2  0  3   4,67   -- 17-18 STOEN 2,44 6,18  Spor 0  0  0  0  0   2   1  0,5 4   2,5  3  0  13  3,00   -- 17-18 STOEN 2,44 6,18  aCAP 0  0  0  0 1,5 0,5  0   0 2,5  0,5  0  0  5   1,60   -- 17-18 STOEN 2,44 6,18  gDEL 0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0   2,5 0,5 0  3   4,17   -- 17-18 STOEN 2,44 6,18  gDRA 0  0  0  0  0   0   0  0,5 2   1,5  0  0  4   3,25   -- 17-18 STOEN 2,44 6,18  aCYG 0  0  0  0  0   0  0,5 0,5 1    1   0  0  3   2,83   -- 17-18 STOEN 2,44 6,18  oDRA 0  0  0  0  0   0   0  0,50,5  0,5 0,5 0  2   3,50   -- 17-18 STOEN 2,44 6,18  PER  0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  2    2   0  0  4   3,50   -- 17-18 STOEN 2,44 6,18  bCAP 0  0  0  0  1   0   0   0  0    0   0  0  1  -1,00   -- 17-18 HAVRO 3,40 6,10  Spor 0  0  0  0  0   1  1,5 3,53,5   8  9,5 0  27  3,65   -- 17-18 HAVRO 3,40 6,10  PER  0  0  0  0  0   0   0   1  1    1   2  0  5   3,80  20,0 17-18 HAVRO 3,40 6,10 dAQRs 0  0  0  0 1,5 0,5  0  0,50,5  0,5 1,5 0  5   2,10  20,0 17-18 HAVRO 3,40 6,10  aAND 0  0  0  0  0  0,5 0,5 0,50,5  1,5 0,5 0  4   2,88  25,0 17-18 HAVRO 3,40 6,10  aCAP 0  0  0  0  0  0,5 0,5 1,51,5   2   0  0  6   2,67   -- 17-18 HAVRO 3,40 6,10 dAQRn 0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0    1   1  0  2   4,50   -- 17-18 HAVRO 3,40 6,10  oDRA 0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0    1   0  0  1   4,00   -- 17-18 HAVRO 3,40 6,10 iAQRs 0  0  0  0  0   0   0   1  0    0   0  0  1   2,00   -- 17-18 HAVRO 3,40 6,10  aCYG 0  0  0  0  0   0   0  0,51,5  0,5 0,5 0  3   3,33   -- 18-19 HAVRO 3,45 6,07  Spor 0  0  0  0 0,5 0,5  1  1,5 2  11,5  7  0  24  3,77  4,2 18-19 HAVRO 3,45 6,07  PER  0  0  0  0  0  0,5 0,5  1  0    6   0  0  8   3,31   -- 18-19 HAVRO 3,45 6,07 dAQRs 0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  1    2   1  0  4   4,00   -- 18-19 HAVRO 3,45 6,07  aCAP 0  0  0  0  0   1   1   1  1    0   2  0  6   2,67   -- 18-19 HAVRO 3,45 6,07 iAQRs 0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  1    0   0  0  1   3,00   -- 18-19 HAVRO 3,45 6,07  aAND 0  0  0  0  0  0,5  1  0,5 0    1   0  0  3   2,00  33,3 18-19 HAVRO 3,45 6,07 dAQRn 0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0   0,5 0,5 0  1   4,50   -- 18-19 HAVRO 3,45 6,07  aCYG 0  0  0  0  0   0   0   0  1    2   0  0  3   3,67  33,3 ----------------------------------------------------------- # E n r i c o   S t o m e o  --------------------------- # Unione Astrofili Italiani # Sezione Meteore # http://www.uai.it/sez_met From river@skyblue.ocn.ne.jp Tue Aug 31 10:30:05 1999 Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1999 11:42:33 +0900 From: "Kawasaki, Yasuhiro" To: Meteor Observing ML , imo-news@imo.net, JASnews@onelist.com Subject: Leonids[ISO-2022-JP] ^[$B!G^[(B 99 [The following text is in the "ISO-2022-JP" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Hi all! Let's join our project, "Leonids$B!G(B99". Leonids$B!G(B99 is an abbreviation of "the Leonids 1999 Observation Project by High School Students All Over the World". If you know some high school students interested in Leonids, please introduce this project to them. More information exsists at the following URL : http://www.leonids.net/ . --------------------------------------------- Kawasaki, Yasuhiro (JAPAN) IMO / Nippon Meteor Society Kansai Astronomical Society e-mail : river@skyblue.ocn.ne.jp --------------------------------------------- From MIQUELSERRA@teleline.es Wed Sep 1 18:44:48 1999 Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1999 18:16:44 +0200 From: "Miquel A. Serra" To: "[Windows-1252] Astro España" , somyce Lista Cc: Tom Moore , Terry Richardson , rsanders@iaehv.nl, Roberto Haver , rjbouma@pi.net, pvmilnwk@box.nl, peter@max.arc.nasa.gov, P.A.Koning@net.hcc.nl, "P. Martin" , molau@informatik.rwth-aachen.de, mihaela triglav , meteorobs@latrade.com, mcdelign@pi.net, Marco Langbroek , M.C.A.vanVliet@stm.tudelft.nl, jrendtel@aip.de, jnb@worldonline.nl, imo-news@imo.net, IMO Visual , Hashimoto Takema , geozay@aol.com, gautam gurtoo , gangale@jps.net, f.witte@fys.ruu.nl, evanross@stad.dsl.nl, Enrico Stomo Stomeo , delpsurf@cistron.nl, caroos@pi.net, breukers@pi.net, betlem@strw.leidenuniv.nl, Mohammad Odeh , somyce Lista , "Mark R. Kidger" , Marianne Perret Gentil , Manuel Solano , Luis Bellot , "[Windows-1252] Juan Rodríguez Gómez" , "[Windows-1252] Jose Luis Trisán Aparicio" , "[Windows-1252] Jesus Jorge Morán Pérez" <980491@aloe.ulima.edu.pe>, "Gael B. i Piguillem" , "[Windows-1252] Enric Coll Pedrón" , "[Windows-1252] Centro de investigación astronómica de Alicante" , "[Windows-1252] Astro España" , "Antonio Martinez P." Subject: Perseidas /Perseids 1999 [The following text is in the "Windows-1252" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Radiante / Shower: Perseidas / Perseids Fecha / Date:12-13/Ago.-Aug./1999 Inicio / Begin: 21h.50m. UT Final / End: 02h.31m. UT Pausas / Pauses: 00h-00m.-01h-30m. (nubes/clouds) Observador / Observer: Miguel A. Serra Martin (SERMI) Lugar de observacion / Place: Gorriti, Navarra, Spain. Codigo IMO / IMO Code: 15.635 ------------------------------------------------------------------- HORA (TU) Campo Tef F MALE PER KCG ESP TOTAL TIME (UT) Field Tef F MALE PER KCG SPO TOTAL 21.50-22.49 285º+40º 0.96 1.00 5.95 C14 C01 01 16 22.50-23.49 285º+40º 0.95 1.25 5.95 C13 C03 03 19 23.50-00.00 285º+40º 0.15 1.10 5.95 C05 C01 00 06 01.30-02.31 285º+40º 0.87 1.05 5.95 C39 C00 02 41 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL: 2.93 1.15 5.95 C71 C05 06 82 MALE: Magnitud limite estelar /Limit magnitude F: Nubes / Clouds Tef: Tiempo efectivo /Effective time ---------------------------------------- RADIANTES -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 TOTAL RADIANTS PER 2 3 12 15 10 11 13 5 71 KCG 0 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 05 ESP / SPO 0 1 1 0 0 3 1 0 0 06 ---------------------------------------------------- TOTAL 2 3 13 15 13 16 14 5 82 Más información del informe lo podéis encontrar en mi web. El lugar de observación ya está codificado por IMO cuyo código es 15.635. Las condiciones atmosféricas fueron malas, el cielo permaneció cubierto durante más de una hora y media. Radiante activa a partir de la seguna parte de la noche. More information about this summary you can find on my web. The place of observation is codificated by IMO, yet. IMO code is 15.635. Atmospherical conditions was bad. There were clouds during more than one hour and half. Active radiant at begining to second part of night. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ____________________ ----Masm---- miquelserra@teleline.es http://pagina.de/masm/ ____________________ From 100114.1361@compuserve.com Sat Sep 4 12:11:55 1999 Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1999 18:26:35 -0400 From: Rainer Arlt <100114.1361@compuserve.com> To: IMO-news Subject: Visual-address problems [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] Dear colleagues, For unknown reasons, a number of messages sent to visual@imo.net were not delivered including my own test messages. I would like to ask you to send messages to my non-aliased address arlt@compuserve.com if you wish to contact me, and I am very sorry for the inconvenience. I trust the problem can be fixed very soon. I would be very glad if you, in case you sent a message to visual@imo.net, re-send your letter to the above Compuserve address. Thank you very much. Regards, Rainer Arlt --------------------------------- Visual Commission International Meteor Organization email: arlt@compuserve.com Homepage: http://www.imo.net --------------------------------- Received: from charlie.luc.ac.be ([193.190.6.21]) by listsvr2.telepac.pt (Post.Office MTA v3.5.3 release 223 ID# 0-0U10L2S100V35) with ESMTP id pt; Sat, 11 Sep 1999 00:40:57 +0100 Received: from engine2.maltanet.net (engine2.maltanet.net [194.158.37.211]) by charlie.luc.ac.be (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id BAA27707 for ; Sat, 11 Sep 1999 01:05:35 +0200 (MET DST) Received: from martingd (engine7p2.maltanet.net [194.158.36.81]) by engine2.maltanet.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) with SMTP id WAA10379 for ; Fri, 10 Sep 1999 22:15:45 +0200 (MET DST) Message-Id: <199909102015.WAA10379@engine2.maltanet.net> X-Sender: martingd@maltanet.net X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Pro Version 4.0 Date: Fri, 10 Sep 1999 22:15:20 +0200 To: imo-news@imo.net From: Martin Galea De Giovanni Subject: Aurigids Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi to all, Last Tuesday (7th September) an amateur astronomer from Malta who happens to be a friend of mine , noticed unusual activity regarding the Aurigids meteor stream. He managed to see about 8 shower meteors in a 1/2 hr span which is quite high for such a shower. Can anybody confirm or has more info on this strange observation ? Thanks Martin Galea De Giovanni Visit The Astronomical Society Of Malta web page at www.cyberlobby.com/maltastro From Michal.Haltuf@gkolin.cz Mon Sep 13 18:57:33 1999 Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 15:15:20 +0100 From: Michal Haltuf To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: Aurigids Tonight (9/10 .9.1999) I observed minor meteors shower. 6 meteors of 15 have radiant at position alfa=80 delta=+35. Close to this possition there is a radiant of Delta-Aurigids, but their frequency is about 2 meteors per hour. Is the real activity higher or this difference is caused by normal statistic distribution? Sincerely yours Michal Haltuf. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Michal Haltuf michal.haltuf@gkolin.cz http://corwin.gkolin.cz/~orion astronom amater \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ From m.a.s.m.@euskalnet.net Wed Sep 15 16:27:12 1999 Date: Wed, 15 Sep 1999 15:59:19 +0200 From: Masm To: Tom Moore , Terry Richardson , rsanders@iaehv.nl, Roberto Haver , rjbouma@pi.net, pvmilnwk@box.nl, peter@max.arc.nasa.gov, P.A.Koning@net.hcc.nl, "P. Martin" , molau@informatik.rwth-aachen.de, mihaela triglav , meteorobs@latrade.com, mcdelign@pi.net, Marco Langbroek , M.C.A.vanVliet@stm.tudelft.nl, jrendtel@aip.de, jnb@worldonline.nl, imo-news@imo.net, IMO Visual , Hashimoto Takema , geozay@aol.com, gautam gurtoo , gangale@jps.net, f.witte@fys.ruu.nl, evanross@stad.dsl.nl, Enrico Stomo Stomeo , caroos@pi.net, breukers@pi.net, betlem@strw.leidenuniv.nl, Mohammad Odeh Subject: Instructions to make the Report & Summary Papers at meteors showers [The following text is in the "Windows-1252" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Hi: At begining today, you can find on my web the instructions to make the Report & Summary papers to Meteors showers. Your faithfully ____________________ ----Masm---- miquelserra@teleline.es http://pagina.de/masm/ ____________________ [Part 2, Text/HTML (charset: Unknown "Windows-1252") 22 lines] [Unable to print this part] From md6648@mclink.it Fri Sep 17 09:05:52 1999 Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 21:56:18 +0200 From: "Roberto G." To: IMO Subject: IMC99 [Part 1, Text/PLAIN (charset: ISO-8859-1 "Latin 1") 195 lines] [Unable to print this part] [Part 2, Text/HTML (charset: ISO-8859-1 "Latin 1") 241 lines] [Unable to print this part] From jrendtel@aip.de Sun Sep 19 15:24:56 1999 Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 15:05:57 METDST From: Juergen Rendtel To: imo-news@imo.net Cc: Juergen Rendtel Subject: Aurigids Hi all, On September 10, Martin Galea De Giovanni sent a note about "unusual activity" of the (Delta-)Aurigids: > Hi to all, > > Last Tuesday (7th September) an amateur astronomer from Malta who happens > to be a friend of mine , noticed unusual activity regarding the Aurigids > meteor stream. > > He managed to see about 8 shower meteors in a 1/2 hr span which is quite > high for such a shower. > > Can anybody confirm or has more info on this strange observation ? > > Thanks > Martin Galea De Giovanni > Such apparently enhanced activity will occur within each shower. I do not have data from September 7, but from several other nights in September. All plots were analysed with the VISDAT program, i.e. direction, trail length, angular velocity are considered for the shower association. The number of Delta-Aurigids varies from one interval to the next. So I found a series of 5 shower meteors within 20 minutes on Sep 13 (radiant about 60 deg high, LM 6.2), and other hour long intervals with no shower meteor. A casual observer will get completely different impressions, of course, particularly, because all but one of these 5 meteors were brighter than +3. A similar sereis happened on September 15. Furthermore, a major source of sporadic meteors (apex region) may line up with the radiant of the Delta-Aurigids for many meteors. Since these meteors also enter the Earth's atmosphere at high speed, they resemble the Delta-Aurigids in their general appearance - one of the reasons for making plottings when no major shower is active. Last but not least, I want to mention that the automated video system, which runs every clear night for about 8 hours, has not recorded any increase of rates in all September nights so far (i.e. all nights except 6/7 and 7/8 Sep). This also indicates, that the observation shows a statistical fluctuation rather than the signature of a dense stream region. Good luck with further observations! Juergen Rendtel IMO President -- ************************************************************************ Juergen Rendtel Astrophysical Institute Potsdam jrendtel@aip.de Telegrafenberg A 27 Phone: (+49) 331 - 288 2327 (office) 14473 Potsdam, Germany Fax: (+49) 331 - 288 2310 http://aipsoe.aip.de/~rend/rnl-p.html International Meteor Organization Phone: (+49) 33208 - 50753 (priv.) Seestr.6, 14476 Marquardt, Germany ************************************************************************ From odeh@jas.org.jo Sun Sep 19 15:34:18 1999 Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 18:06:17 +0300 From: Mohammad Odeh To: Juergen Rendtel Cc: imo-news@imo.net Subject: Re: Aurigids Dear Juergen, I've sent the below reply instantly on that night, but it didn't reach the mailing list ! Kind Regards Moh'd -- ********************************************************************** Mohammad Shawkat Odeh. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS). Member of JAS Administrative Board. P.O. Box 926932 Amman 11110 Jordan. Fax: (001)(707) 221-0918. odeh@jas.org.jo http://Beam.to/odeh (Personal URL) http://www.jas.org.jo/ (JAS URL) ********************************************************************** Dear Sir, YES. JAS do confirm this activity. The night Thursday-Friday (9-10 September) we had a camping in the desert, in which we noticed a VERY unusual activity of meteors. Nearly all of them were coming from Auriga. The meteors were bright, and a fireball was detected. However, we couldn't make a real report of the meteors. But during that night, we can definitely say that we saw more than 30 Aurigids meteor, without making a real observation ! Best Wishes Moh'd -- ********************************************************************** Mohammad Shawkat Odeh. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS). Member of JAS Administrative Board. P.O. Box 926932 Amman 11110 Jordan. Fax: (001)(707) 221-0918. odeh@jas.org.jo http://Beam.to/odeh (Personal URL) http://www.jas.org.jo/ (JAS URL) ********************************************************************** Martin Galea De Giovanni wrote: > Hi to all, > > Last Tuesday (7th September) an amateur astronomer from Malta who happens > to be a friend of mine , noticed unusual activity regarding the Aurigids > meteor stream. > > He managed to see about 8 shower meteors in a 1/2 hr span which is quite > high for such a shower. > > Can anybody confirm or has more info on this strange observation ? > > Thanks > Martin Galea De Giovanni > > Visit The Astronomical Society Of Malta web page at > > www.cyberlobby.com/maltastro Juergen Rendtel wrote: > Hi all, > > On September 10, Martin Galea De Giovanni sent a note about "unusual > activity" of the (Delta-)Aurigids: > > Hi to all, > > > > Last Tuesday (7th September) an amateur astronomer from Malta who happens > > to be a friend of mine , noticed unusual activity regarding the Aurigids > > meteor stream. > > > > He managed to see about 8 shower meteors in a 1/2 hr span which is quite > > high for such a shower. > > > > Can anybody confirm or has more info on this strange observation ? > > > > Thanks > > Martin Galea De Giovanni > > > > Such apparently enhanced activity will occur within each shower. > I do not have data from September 7, but from several other nights > in September. All plots were analysed with the VISDAT program, > i.e. direction, trail length, angular velocity are considered > for the shower association. The number of Delta-Aurigids varies > from one interval to the next. So I found a series of 5 shower > meteors within 20 minutes on Sep 13 (radiant about 60 deg high, > LM 6.2), and other hour long intervals with no shower meteor. > A casual observer will get completely different impressions, > of course, particularly, because all but one of these 5 meteors > were brighter than +3. A similar sereis happened on September 15. > Furthermore, a major source of sporadic meteors (apex region) > may line up with the radiant of the Delta-Aurigids for many > meteors. Since these meteors also enter the Earth's atmosphere > at high speed, they resemble the Delta-Aurigids in their general > appearance - one of the reasons for making plottings when no > major shower is active. > Last but not least, I want to mention that the automated video > system, which runs every clear night for about 8 hours, has not > recorded any increase of rates in all September nights so far > (i.e. all nights except 6/7 and 7/8 Sep). This also indicates, > that the observation shows a statistical fluctuation rather > than the signature of a dense stream region. > > Good luck with further observations! > > Juergen Rendtel > IMO President > > -- > ************************************************************************ > Juergen Rendtel Astrophysical Institute Potsdam > jrendtel@aip.de Telegrafenberg A 27 > Phone: (+49) 331 - 288 2327 (office) 14473 Potsdam, Germany > Fax: (+49) 331 - 288 2310 > http://aipsoe.aip.de/~rend/rnl-p.html > > International Meteor Organization > Phone: (+49) 33208 - 50753 (priv.) Seestr.6, 14476 Marquardt, Germany > ************************************************************************ From martingd@maltanet.net Sun Sep 19 15:37:30 1999 Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 18:28:39 +0200 From: Martin Galea De Giovanni To: maltastro@egroups.com, meteorobs@jovian.com, imo-news@imo.net, 100114.1361@compuserve.com, visual@imo.net Subject: Persieds 99 from Malta (Europe) Perseids 1999 Visual results in Malta (The Malta Astronomical Society. Meteor Group Section) ZHR has been computed with: MetShow Thanks to Beata & Peter Zimnikoval and Stanley Kaniansky Observers : GALMA,ZAMJO,MIZDA,CHIST,VELKE,GATFR,FARKL, GALMA = Martin Galea De Giovanni ZAMJO = Joseph Zammit CHIST = Stefanie Chircop MIZDA = Darren Mizzi VELKE = Keith Vella GATFR = Franco Gatt FARKL = Klaus Farrugia GALAD = Adrian Galea Total Time Observed by each Observer : ZAMJO = 977 minutes GALMA = 773 minutes MIZDA = 615 minutes FARKL = 134 minutes VELKE = 106 minutes CHIST = 105 minutes GATFR = 060 minutes GALAD = 060 minutes The Observations and the calculated ZHR's can be found in the text file attached to this email (For correct viewing use Microsoft notepad and make sure word wrap is disabled) Martin Galea De Giovanni Malta Astronomical Summer Project Co-ordinator The Malta Astronomical website can be found at www.cyberlobby.com/maltastro [ Part 2: "Attached Text" ] [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] Observations on 1-2/8/1999 Observer  Start Time End Time SLM Effective Time Perseids Sporadics ZHR ZAMJO 00:13 02:00 5.2 105 5 7 14.51 Observations on 8-9/8/1999 Observer  Start Time End Time SLM Effective Time Perseids Sporadics ZHR ZAMJO 22:34 01:25 5.0 167 18 21 36.56 GALMA 22:34 01:15 4.9 159 14 10 34.43 Observations on 9-10/8/1999 Observer  Start Time End Time SLM Effective Time Perseids Sporadics ZHR ZAMJO 22:55  00:00 5.2 64 8 8 46.29 Observations on 10-11/8/1999 Observer  Start Time End Time SLM Effective Time Perseids Sporadics ZHR ZAMJO 23:24 02:00 5.3 152 25 23 48.93 GALMA 21:46 23:46 4.9 118 12 7 46.73 MIZDA 21:46 23:46 4.6 117 10 7 52.31 CHIST 21:46 23:31 4.9 104 7 3 31.65 VELKE 21:45 23:31 4.9 105 6 2 33.24 Observations on 11-12/8/1999 Observer   Start Time End Time SLM Effective Time Perseids Sporadics ZHR ZAMJO 22:35 02:10 5.4 192 37 17 59.41 GALMA 22:35 02:03 5.4 233 31 05 35.24 MIZDA 22:34 02:05 5.4 232 30 10 45.51 FARKL 22:56 01:10 5.2 131 29 06 71.62 Observations on 12-13/8/1999 (Night of the MAXIMUM) Observer   Start Time End Time SLM Effective Time Perseids Sporadics ZHR ZAMJO 22:43 03:08 5.5 259 152 41 122.80 GALMA 22:48 03:04 5.7 242 170 5 137.75 (sporadics not plotted during maximum) MIZDA 22:44 03:05 5.5 242 144 24 136.00 GATFR 01:10 02:10 5.4 58 32 4 139.38 GALAD 03:10 04:10 5.4 58 29 7 98.86 Total observations (Aug.01-13) : 2830 minutes (47.16hrs.) Total number of Perseids meteors (Aug.01-13) : 748 meteors Total number of Sporadic meteors (Aug.01-13) : 175 meteors ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Closer look at the Maximum ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The observations done on the day of the maximum have been divided into 30 minutes observations for better analysis. Observer : GALMA Start Time End Time SLM Effective Time Persieds Sporadics ZHR 22:48 23:18 5.5 28 22 1 248.67 23:18 23:48 5.7 28 21 0 173.68 23:48 00:18 5.7 28 25 0 168.01 00:18 00:48 5.5 29 17 0 134.90 00:48 01:18 5.7 29 16 1 097.03 01:18 01:48 5.7 29 17 2 097.28 01:48 02:18 5.7 29 14 0 079.50 02:18 02:48 5.7 28 24 1 135.61 02:48* 03:04* 5.7 15* 14 0 147.13 (16 minute) Observer : ZAMJO Start Time End Time SLM Effective Time Persieds Sporadics ZHR 22:43 23:12 5.5 28 18 5 204.23 23:13 23:42 5.5 28 18 0 180.82 23:43 00:12 5.5 28 20 4 176.40 00:13 00:42 5.5 29 16 5 127.29 00:43 01:12 5.5 29 20 9 147.16 01:13 01:42 5.5 29 18 5 124.93 01:43 02:12 5.5 29 13 6 90.05 02:13 02:42 5.2 29 13 1 115.06 02:43* 03:08* 5.2 24 16 6 169.54 (25 minute) Observer : MIZDA Start Time End Time SLM Effective Time Persieds Sporadics ZHR 22:44 23:14 5.5 27 16 4 190.00 23:14 23:44 5.5 27 17 0 178.76 23:44 00:14 5.5 27 17 1 156.77 00:14 00:44 5.5 27 20 2 172.14 00:44 01:14 5.5 27 20 4 159.04 01:14 01:44 5.5 27 20 2 149.88 01:44 02:14 5.5 27 6 5 044.57 02:14 02:44 5.5 27 15 0 106.92 02:44* 03:05* 5.5 18 15 5 159.26 (21 minute) Observer : GALAD Start Time End Time SLM Effective Time Persieds Sporadics ZHR 01:13 01:43 5.4 28 21 2 150.96 01:43 02:07 5.4 23 9 4 082.52 (24 minute) Observer : GATFR Start Time End Time SLM Effective Time Persieds Sporadics ZHR 01:10 01:40 5.4 28 17 3 157.45 01:40 02:10 5.4 28 15 1 132.14 [ Part 3: "Attached Text" ] From martingd@maltanet.net Sun Sep 19 15:37:34 1999 Date: Thu, 16 Sep 1999 12:30:13 +0200 From: Martin Galea De Giovanni To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: Delta Aquarids After receiving many mails confirming the unusual activity by the delta aquarids , observed by a friend of mine , I asked him to give me all the detail he could remember , as he was not doing a proper observation at the time This is what he wrote : " Time 21:00 - 21:30 (UT) ..... About 8 meteors , two of them with negative brightness in the region of Cygnus and Pegasus , coming from Auriga. Sky Conditions : SLM about 4.5 - 5 . Some haze and no clouds " Martin Galea De Giovanni From hasanzad@PHYSICS.sharif.ac.ir Mon Sep 27 09:20:22 1999 Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1999 08:49:18 EDT From: hasanzad@PHYSICS.sharif.ac.ir To: imo-news@imo.net Cc: hasanzad@PHYSICS.sharif.ac.ir Subject: first perseids meteor report from IRAN From: PHYSIC::HASANZAD 25-AUG-1999 11:24:02.17 To: MX%"imo-news@imo.net" CC: HASANZAD Subj: perseids from IRAN(1) north star group(N.S.G) Rasht-Iran Dear colleagues, first perseids meteor stream report: 12,13 aug 1999 place:Zyar-Isfahan-Iran lat:32.4N long:52.0E 1)Davod Hammati observer 2)Amir Hasanzadeh observer 3)Mostafa Mosavizadeh observer 4)Soheil Khoshbinfar photographer 5)Ali Jafari writer of notes first information: coordinates of center of radiant: DEC:+58 RA:46 (degree) r=2.6 {ref:1999 meteor shower calender} period the number of mag. of the most length of the number of most (UT) meteors luminous longest sporadic color (+_0.5) (degree) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21:00-21:30 22 -5 15 6 yellow 21:30-22:00 33 -2 15 11 yellow 22:00-22:30 22 -1.5 15 9 yellow 22:30-23:00 26 -2 15 7 yellow 23:00-23:30 36 -2 15 6 yellow 23:30-00:00 30 -5.5 15 6 yellow 00:00-00:30 35 -4.5 15 9 yellow 00:30-01:00 23 -2.5 15 6 yellow ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- length(degree) 1-6 6-11 11-16 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- number 98 108 22 total:228 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | magnitude | 6.9-6.0 5.9-5.0 4.9-4.0 3.9-3.0 2.9-2.0 1.9-1.0 ----------- |-------------------------------------------------------------- | number | 0 2 8 44 52 48 0.9 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 | | | | | | | | magnitude 0.1 -0.9 -1.9 -2.9 -3.9 -4.9 -5.9 -6.9 ------------------------------------------------------------ number 15 34 13 5 2 1 2 0 ----------------------------------------------------------- average mag=+1.51 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- color of yellow yellow-white yellow-orange blue white red blue-white meteors number 120 24 23 9 36 2 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- period(UT) N LM ST C CP Haverage ZHR ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 21:00-21:30 22 6.0 21h 55m 0 2.2 35.5(degree) 112+_24 21:30-22:00 33 6.0 22h 25m 0 2.4 39.6 160+_28 22:00-22:30 22 5.8 22h 55 0 2.4 43.4 116+_24 22:30-23:00 26 5.8 23h 25m 0 2.4 47.2 126+_24 23:00-23:30 36 5.8 23h 55m 0 2.4 51.0 160+_22 23:30-00:00 30 5.8 00h 25 0 2.4 54.6 124+_22 00:00-00:30 35 5.7 00h 55 0 2.4 57.8 150+_26 00:30-01:00 23 4.8 01 25 0 2.4 60.5 220+_46 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ notes and formula: N the number of meteors Haverage: average altitude of center of radiant C:cloud ST:sidereal time(begin period) nobs=3 CP:coefficient of perception 6.5-lm ZHR=( N * r *cp )/( k ) nobs*[sin(Hav)] *Teff*(1-c) number of observers k=1.4 (6.5-Lm) cp = (Ns* 3.4 )/(Teff*10) 0.4= Reply-To: "Gary R. Leiker" To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: New Meteor Trak software IMO member: We have new software for sale called Meteor Trak for visual meteor observations. It's a Win16/Win32 compatible program that calculates the Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) and magnitude distribution among other things and prints out a nice report of the night's observations. If interested check it out at www.sci-trak.com and pass on our web address to your organization. I wrote this program mainly for my own use and members of our astronomy club. I followed the calculations in the Handbook for Visual Meteor Observations (1988) and subsequent updates from your website. This program has been purchased and is already being evaluated by some of your friends in the IMO. You will have to let me know whether it is useful or not. I wish I could give it away but writing custom software is how I make a living these days and I hope you understand. Dr. Gary Leiker, Sci-Trak Software From hasanzad@PHYSICS.sharif.ac.ir Sun Oct 3 23:18:22 1999 Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 09:58:42 EDT From: hasanzad@PHYSICS.sharif.ac.ir To: imo-news@imo.net Cc: hasanzad@PHYSICS.sharif.ac.ir Subj: connection,perseids from IRAN(2) north star group(N.S.G) Rasht-Iran Dear friends, thirth perseids meteor stream report: 13,14 aug 1999 place:Zyar-Isfahan-Iran lat:32.4N long:52.0E 1)Davod Hammati observer 2)Amir Hasanzadeh observer 3)Mostafa Mosavizadeh observer 4)Soheil Khoshbinfar photographer 5)Ali Jafari writer of notes first information: coordinates of center of radiant: DEC:+58 RA:46 (degree) r=2.6 {ref:1999 meteor shower calender} period the number of mag. of the most length of the number of most (UT) meteors luminous longest sporadic color (+_0.5) (degree) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19:30-20:00 10 0 10 7 orange-yellow 20:00-20:30 9 -2 20 3 orange-yellow 20:30-21:00 10 -1 10 4 yellow 21:00-21:30 14 +0.5 15 3 yellow 21:30-22:00 20 -6 20 7 yellow 22:00-22:30 11 -0.5 20 6 orange-yellow 22:30-23:00 15 -0.5 15 3 white-yellow 23:00-23:30 14 0 15 3 yellow 23:30-00:00 26 -1 15 10 orange-yellow 00:00-00:30 22 -2.5 10 7 orange-yellow 00:30-01:00 23 -2.5 15 6 yellow ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- length(degree) 1-6 6-11 11-16 16< ------------------------------------------------------------------ number 73 55 11 10 total:149 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6.9 5.9 4.9 3.9 2.9 1.9 | | | | | | magnitude 6.0 5.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 ----------------------------------------------------------- number 0 3 5 27 46 38 0.9 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 | | | | | | | | magnitude 0.1 -0.9 -1.9 -2.9 -3.9 -4.9 -5.9 -6.9 ------------------------------------------------------------ number 17 3 6 2 0 1 0 1 ----------------------------------------------------------- average mag=+1.84 ------------------------------------------------------------ colo of yellow yellow-white yellow-orange blue white red blue-white meteors number 61 15 36 0 25 0 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- period N LM ST C CP Haverage ZHR (UT) (degree) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 19:30-20:00 10 5.7 20h 29m 0 2.4 27.3 102+_32 20:00-20:30 9 5.7 20h 59m 0 1.6 28.2 60+_20 20:30-21:00 10 5.9 21h 29 0 1.7 32.0 47+_15 21:00-21:30 14 5.9 21h 59m 0 1.3 35.5 44+_12 21:30-22:00 20 6.1 22h 29m 0 2.3 39.6 86+_19 22:00-22:30 11 6.1 22h 59m 0 2.0 43.4 38+_11 22:30-23:00 15 6.1 23h 29m 0 1.0 47.2 23+_6 23:00-23:30 14 5.8 23h 59m 0 1.4 51.0 36+_10 23:30-00:00 26 5.8 00h 29 0 2.3 54.6 102+_20 00:00-00:30 22 5.2 00h 59 0 2.4 57.8 150+_32 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ notes and formula: N :the number of meteors Haverage: average altitude of center of radiant C:cloud nobs=3 k=1.4 ST:siderial time(begin period) CP:coefficient of perception 6.5-lm ZHR=( N *r *cp )/( k ) nobs*[sin(Hav)]*Teff*(1-c) f observers (6.5-Lm) cp=(Ns*3.4 )/(Teff*10) 0.4= To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: Participation in Egypt Leonids [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] I would like to participate in any group observing the Leonids in November from Egypt to the South of Cairo, I would like contact on "colo@zeta.org.au ' John Burke Sydney Australia From thashi@din.or.jp Fri Oct 8 18:32:18 1999 Date: Sat, 09 Oct 1999 01:34:36 +0900 From: "Hashimoto, Takema" To: IMO-News Subject: Quick information of GIA. Hi All, Some GIA's meteors appeared on Oct. 8/9 night. K.Osada saw 5 GIA's meteors during 45 minuts around 11hUT. M.Sakaguchi saw 6 GIA's meteors during 75 minuts around 11hUT. K.Osada and M.sakaguchi successed to detect its radiant. On the other hand, C.Shimoda witnessed -1 Mag GIA's meteor at 14h04mUT. However, there were no GIA's shower activity by HRO. I can't observe any GIA's shower because of cloud. Clear skies, Takema. ----------------------------------- thashi@din.or.jp Hashimoto, Takema Minor Meteor Shower Circular(MMSC) URL : http://www.din.or.jp/~thashi/index_E.htm ----------------------------------- Nippon Meteor Society (NMS) Association of Meteor Observers in and around Tokyo Area (AMOTA) ----------------------------------- From pegasoft@accu.uu.nl Sat Oct 9 11:26:20 1999 Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1999 22:18:46 +0200 From: Casper ter Kuile To: meteorobs@latrade.com, imo-news@imo.net Subject: www.dmsweb.org Hi All, We, the Dutch Meteor Society, are proud to announce the final domainname for our website is effective right now: Primary site: http://www.dmsweb.org Mirrorsite: http://home.wanadoo.nl/dms Please update your links and bookmark these websites now! Thank you! DMS CONTACT ADRESSES SUBJECT E-MAIL PERSON 1. General DMS info info@dmsweb.org Hans Betlem 2. Radiant journal radiant@dmsweb.org Hans Betlem 3. Visual observations visual@dmsweb.org Olga van Mil 4. Image Intensified Video video@dmsweb.org Marc de Lignie 5. Photography photo@dmsweb.org Hans Betlem 6. Meteor Scatter radio@dmsweb.org Peter Bus 7. Meteorites meteorites@dmsweb.org Marco Langbroek 8. Comets comets@dmsweb.org Peter Bus 9. DMS website webmaster@dmsweb.org Casper ter Kuile Best wishes to all, Casper ter Kuile, webmaster of the DMS website. Casper ter Kuile, Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) Akker 145, NL-3732 XD, De Bilt, The Netherlands Tel. +(31)-30-2203170, Fax. +(31)-30-2202695 GSM-BEN: +(31)-6-24242445, GSM-KPN: +(31)-6-53270844 E-mail_1: pegasoft@accu.uu.nl E-mail_2: dms-web@wxs.nl E-mail_3: webmaster@dmsweb.org DMS website: http://www.dmsweb.org Mirrorsite: http://home.wanadoo.nl/dms From marcolan@stad.dsl.nl Sat Oct 9 11:30:20 1999 Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 23:38:43 +0200 (CEST) From: Marco Langbroek To: "Hashimoto, Takema" , imo-news@imo.net, NAMN Meteorobs , Alastair McBeath , Robert Lunsford , George Zay , Rainer Arlt <100114.1361@compuserve.com>, Jurgen Rendtel , spurny@sunkl.asu.cas.cz Subject: DRACO activity from the Netherlands! Hello! Just a quick message to inform you that I just observed a low level but definite activity of the Draconids (Giacobinids) from The Netherlands, confirming earlier messages from mr. Hashimoto (Japan). Weather is very bad here due to a large frontal system over Northwest Europe, but to my amazement I had a few clearings here last hour. In two periods of clear sky (19:59-20:20 UT and 20:38-20:58 UT) with Lm at +6.3, I observed a total of 11 meteors, of which 5 were Draconids, although admittedly one of these is a little bit a 'perhaps' since it appeared in the corner of my eye with a DCV of 40, making the plotting slightly ambiguous (all meteors have been plotted). In addition, I noted a 6th Draconid during 'unofficial' time with a partly clouded sky, at 20:31 (+3). Draconids seen were faint, +3 to +4. It is now clouded again, but next two hours I keep on vigil for new clearings (after that, the radiant comes to low). Anyway, a low level but definite activity I suggest! Observers at more western longitudes, please keep an eye open next hours! - Marco Langbroek Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) The Netherlands From thashi@din.or.jp Sat Oct 9 11:35:27 1999 Date: Sat, 09 Oct 1999 11:30:51 +0900 From: "Hashimoto, Takema" To: IMO-News Cc: METEOROBS Subject: Secondary report of GIA shower observation in Japan, 1999. Hello all, Secondary report of GIA shower observation in Japan, 1999. ========================================================================= Kazuhiro Osada Site : Oyama ,Shizuoka, Japan 138d58m , +35d20m Xi Gamma DATE UT TIME aM Spo. GIA NTA STA ORI Cet Cet Lm CL Dir Obs. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1999 Oct. 08/09 11:30-12:23 53 37 30 6 0 0 - 1 0 5.5 2 Z OSAKA 08/09 12:45-14:00 75 44 33 8 1 0 1 1 0 5.8 2 Z OSAKA 08/09 14:00-15:00 60 39 27 4 2 1 3 2 0 5.7 1 Z OSAKA Time : Observed time interval Total: Total number of meteors Spor.: Number of Sporadic meteors GIA : Giacobinid meteor shower Lm : Limiting magnitude of field stars CL : Cloud cover Dir : Observation direction(Z:Zenith) Note : Xi-Cet and Gamma-Cet are a one of the Taurid complex in Japanese. Magnitude distributions +------+---------------------+----+----+-------+ | | -1 0 1 2 3 4 5| all| ave| Lm | +------+---------------------+----+----+-------+ | GIA | 2 2 4 8 2| 18|3.33|5.5-5.8| | NTA | 1 1 1| 3|3.67|5.5-5.8| | STA | 1 | 1|-.--|5.5-5.8| | ORI | 1 1 2 | 4|2.00|5.5-5.8| |Xi-Cet| 1 2 1| 4|4.00|5.5-5.8| +------+---------------------+----+----+-------+ |Spo. | 1 3 5 14 46 21| 90|3.80|5.5-5.8| +------+---------------------+----+----+-------+ Kazuhiro Sumie Site : Chikusa platou, Chigusa ,Hyogo, Japan 134d24m , +35d13m DATE UT TIME aM Spo. GIA Lm CL Dir Obs. ---------------------------------------------------- 1999 Oct. 08/09 12:20-13:00 40 15 13 2 6.5 0 Dra SUMKA 08/09 13:00-14:00 60 34 31 3 6.6 0 Z SUMKA 08/09 14:00-15:00 60 38 36 2 6.7 0 Z SUMKA 08/09 15:00-16:00 60 35 35 0 6.7 0 Z SUMKA Hiroyuki Okayasu observed during 10h30m-12hUT, Ken-Ichi Fushimi also observed during 13h10m-14h10mUT. There were no GIA's meteor found. Masayosi Ueda, Kazuhiro Suzuki observed GIA by HRO, they were not able to catch any especially activity. However, Chigusa High School caught tendency of a few echo incleasing by HRO. ----------------------------------- thashi@din.or.jp Hashimoto, Takema Minor Meteor Shower Circular(MMSC) URL : http://www.din.or.jp/~thashi/index_E.htm ----------------------------------- Nippon Meteor Society (NMS) Association of Meteor Observers in and around Tokyo Area (AMOTA) ----------------------------------- From marcolan@stad.dsl.nl Sat Oct 9 11:41:16 1999 Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 11:53:34 +0200 (CEST) From: Marco Langbroek To: imo-news@imo.net, NAMN Meteorobs , dms-mail , spurny@sunkl.asu.cas.cz Cc: thashi@din.or.jp Subject: DRACO data LANMA Oct. 8-9 1999 Hi all! As reported in two quick e-mail flyers yesterday evening, I've been able to catch some Draconids last night. Below is a table with my data. Activity was low level but enough stream members appeared to make it clear that the stream was active, rather like the low-level activity we noted from our country in 1998 just a few hours after the main outburst over Japan that year. Like 1998, meteors were faint. My data suggest a tentative ZHR in the order of 11 +- 5 (period 20-21 UT). I have been lucky, since the weather conditions are very bad at the moment due to a 'low pressure train' over our part of Europe, resulting in cloud cover and rainshowers. But I was lucky enough to get two serious periods of clear skies, each lasting 20 minutes, within one hour between 19:50 and 21:00 UT, enough to do some vigilant work. I have seen no other visual reports from my country except for a NEGATIVE one by Hans Betlem c.s. who were observing some 10 km to the north for 30 minutes or so, and report seeing NO Draconids (further details like limiting magnitude, cloud cover etc. are lacking currently. They were most likely observing from a site with more light pollution than that of me if they were at the place where I think they were). Peter Bus reports activity between 18-20 UT with Radio MS. Just a quick narrative about the data below; around 20:30 LT (18:30 UT) I noted some small breaks in the cloud cover at the horizon, much to my surprise since I had just come to terms with the idea of (again) losing this Draconid maximum (we had cancelled our planned campaign due to the bad seemingly hopeless weather prospects). At 19:50 UT it was clear that the cloud cover over my head was breaking too so I assembled my equipment. A Lm estimate at 19:58 UT reached a very good +6.3 in Cep and Dra counting areas, which is a very good Lm for my location, and so I started at 19:59 with a sky that was now completely open (!) except for some clouds in the far distance, a few degrees above the horizon, far away over sea. It became clear that cloud fields over sea seemed to dissolve once coming onto land. 5 minutes later, at 20:04, a faint short slow +4 meteor made a short trail just below beta Lyra, almost in the center of my vision and coming straight from the radiant! That made my heart beat faster. Some sporadics later, a second one (+2, the brightest noted) appeared at 20:18, traveling from Her to Oph just before clouds began to intrude. At 20:20, I was forced to take a break. Since smaller clearings were present I stayed on vigil for any Draconids, in order to note them down. I noted thus one other Draco in 'unofficial' time at 20:31 (+3) with a partly overcast sky (note; table below only gives the 'official' records, i.e. periods without clouds in the sky, thus this 'unofficial' 6th Draco is not mentioned in below table). At 20:37, sky opened again and I again counted a Lm of +6.3. At 20:44 a +4 Draco appeared in the north of Cygnus, but in the corner of my eye so this one might be a little bit uncertain. One minute later, another +3 Draco appeared under the left wing of Cygnus. At 20:50, a thin veil spread across the sky and Lm dropped to +5.9. At 20:57, a fifth ('sixth' if counting the unofficial 20:31 as well) Draco appeared, +3, travelling towards Lacerta. At 20:58 I was forced to stop since clouds now definitely intruded. But anyhow I felt quite satisfied. After all, Draconids are uncommon meteors! All trails have been plotted on a gnomonic map. Table with data below. - Marco Langbroek (Dutch Meteor Society) Date; Oct 8-9, 1999 Obs; Marco Langbroek LANMA loc.; Voorschoten, Netherlands, 52d 07'N, 4d 28'E UT Teff Lm Dra dAur Psc Tau Spo 19:59-20:20 0.32 6.3 2 0 0 0 4 20:38-20:50 0.18 6.3 2 0 0 0 2 20:50-20:58 0.10 5.9 1 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 0.60 <6.3> 5 0 0 0 6 11 strm/mag. +2 +3 +4 +5 Draconids 1 2 2 0 3.2 Sporadics 2 3 0 1 3.0 >>> From bilni@yahoo.com Mon Oct 11 16:09:05 1999 Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 06:48:55 -0700 (PDT) From: Nikola Bilikov To: Marco Langbroek , imo-news@imo.net, NAMN Meteorobs , dms-mail , spurny@sunkl.asu.cas.cz Cc: thashi@din.or.jp Subject: Draconids from Croatia Hello! Some Draconids were observed from Croatia (by Senka Pintaric): Date: 8-9.10.1999. Begin: 20:01 End: 22:58 Location:16°22`59`` E/W, 46°27`00`` N/S IMO Code:23003 Place: Dragoslavec Country: Croatia Observer: Senka Pintaric IMO Code: PINSE Shower alpha delta Shower alpha delta DAU 95° 49° ORI 88° 15° GIA 262° 54° STA 31° 08° Shower alpha delta NTA 29° 14° Period Field Teff F Lm (UT) alpha delta (h) 20:01-20:57 322° 40° 0,92 1,00 5,60 21:45-22:58 30° 40° 1,12 1,00 5,61 DAU GIA ORI STA NTA Spot. Tot M N M N M N M N M N M N N C 2 C 2 C 0 C 2 C 0 C 9 15 C 0 C 1 C 0 C 2 C 2 C 11 16 Shower -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Tot DAU 1 1 2 GIA 2 1 3 ORI 0 STA 0,5 0,5 2 0,5 0,5 4 NTA 1 0,5 0,5 2 Spor 1 1 3 1 4 9,5 0,5 20 ----------------------------------------------------- Best wishes, Nikola _ ===== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com From jmtrigo@ctv.es Mon Oct 11 20:00:47 1999 Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 11:01:40 +0100 From: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" To: "'Rainer Arlt (IMO)'" <100114.1361@compuserve.com>, 'IMO NEWS' Cc: 'Marco Langbroek' , "'Marc de Ligne (IMO Photographic Comission)'" , "[iso-8859-1] \"'Jürgen Rendtel (IMO)'\"" , "'Pavel Spurny (Ondrejov Obs.)'" , 'Rafael Ramirez Ramos' , 'Angela del Castillo' , "'Antonio de Ugarte (BOOTES 1)'" , "'Antonio Gutierrez (SAC)'" , "'Carles Segarra (Algimia)'" , "'Francisco J. Campos'" , "[iso-8859-1] \"'Carlos Pineda Ferré (ANTARES)'\"" , "[iso-8859-1] 'Sebastià Torrell Vila'" , "'l-somyce@aagc.dis.ulpgc.es'" Subject: RE: SPMN Network [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] Dear colleagues, The Spanish Photographic Meteor Network (SPMN) organised a new photographic network the past weekend to study October minor showers. The participating people was: Juli Castellano, Angela del Castillo, German Dominguez, Sonia Sales, Josep Trigo and Helena Valero. As a first advance of our results please note the following data. ------------------------ Observer: Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez (IMO CODE: TRIJO) Dept. Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Valencia Member of SOMYCE and GEA Observing site: Tossals de Borriol, Castellon, Spain Longitude: E 0° 06' 37'' Latitude: 40° 01' 29''N , Altitude: 200 meters. October 09-10th 1999 METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F GIA NTA STA PIS SOR DAU ORI SPO 2300-0100 1.81 6.30 1.00 0 2 1 0 1 1 - 6 0100-0300 1.80 6.40 1.00 1 3 0 1 0 1 0 6 0300-0515 1.98 6.30 1.00 - 1 2 1 1 0 3 9 Center field of view(00h): RA=10° Dec=+20° Center (02h): RA=40° Dec=+20° Center (04h): RA=75° Dec=+10° METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(number) Sporadics: -2(1), +1(2),+2(6, 1 trained),+3(5.5),+4(3.5),+5(2.5),+6(0.5) North Taurids (NTA): +1(1),+3(2.5),+4(1.5),+5(1) South Taurids (STA):-2(1),+2(1), +4(1) South Piscids (PIS): -2(1), +4(1) Sigma Orionids (SOR): +2(0.5),+3(1.5) Delta Aurigids (DAU): +2(2) Giacobinids (GIA): +2(1, trained +1s) Orionids (ORI): +5(3) FIREBALL DATA South Piscids Fireball absolute magnitude -4 appeared at 04h59m55s UT Apparent magnitude -2 Approximate begin and end coordinates: RAb=34° DECb= -15° RAe=43° DECe= -24° ------------------------- Observer: German Dominguez Delmas (IMO CODE: DOMGE) Observing site: Tossals de Borriol, Castellon, Spain Longitude: E 0° 06' 37'' Latitude: 40° 01' 29''N , Altitude: 200 meters. October 09-10th 1999 METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F GIA OCAP NTA STA PIS DAU SPO 2300-0030 1.35 6.30 1.00 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 Center field of view(00h): RA=0° Dec=+50° METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(number) Sporadics: +4(1) North Taurids (NTA):-2(1),+2(1), +4(1) South Piscids (PIS): +4(0.5),+5(0.5) October Capricornids (OCAP): +4(1) Giacobinids (GIA): +3(1) ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez -Dept. Astronomia i Astrofísica, Universitat de València -Dept. Ciències Experimentals, Universitat Jaume I -SOMYCE E-mail: jmtrigo@ctv.es Web page: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones: (+Spain Code 34) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 Postal address: c/ Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) SPAIN ******************************************************************* From coaa@mail.telepac.pt Wed Oct 13 09:16:43 1999 Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 15:49:07 -0000 From: Bev M Ewen-Smith To: IMO-News mailing list , Meteorobs mailing list Subject: Announce: New radio-meteor detection software available [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] Dear Radio-Meteor observers, I have just put up a web site describing R_Meteor which is an implementation of the method described in the Feb 1999 issue of WGN for detecting meteors by radio scatter but using a PC + soundcard instead of a dedicated digital signal processor. Meteors are detected and displayed on a PC using fast fourier transforms of the audio signal recovered from a comms receiver tuned to an over-the horizon HF broadcast transmitter. Check http://sapp.telepac.pt/coaa/r_meteor.htm for more details. The software can be freely downloaded. The context-sensitive help file describes the method in full. Regards Bev Bev and Jan Ewen-Smith COAA, sítio do Poio, Mexilhoeira Grande 8500-149, Portugal Tel 00 351 (0)82 471180 Fax 00 351 (0)82 471516 ><> coaa@mail.telepac.pt www.ip.pt/coaa ><> From thashi@din.or.jp Sat Oct 16 12:09:42 1999 Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 00:35:31 +0900 From: "Hashimoto, Takema" To: IMO-News Cc: METEOROBS Subject: Giacobinids enhanced activity was definitely observed in Japan. Dear observers, Enhanced activity of Giacobinid meteor shower was observed on October 9, 1999 in Japan. The peak activity reached around HR=20-30 and period was during 10h-12hUT on October 9. The peak occured about 9 hours after comet's nodal passage. See the following URL. http://www.din.or.jp/~thashi/Inf1999_10_GZ_E.htm These data was presented by NMS mailing list. Clear skies, Takema. ----------------------------------- thashi@din.or.jp Hashimoto, Takema Minor Meteor Shower Circular(MMSC) URL : http://www.din.or.jp/~thashi/index_E.htm ----------------------------------- Nippon Meteor Society (NMS) Association of Meteor Observers in and around Tokyo Area (AMOTA) ----------------------------------- From astro-archive@inside.net Tue Oct 19 09:40:46 1999 Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 00:23:13 "GMT" From: Astro Archive Administrator To: imo-news@imo.net, bi@inside.net Subject: AstroArchive in October Hello Everyone! I have been back at work with the archive, it still does look the same but it should behave much better, in particular the fulltext search is back and performing quite reasonably. The keyword index is updated every 6 hours, so theoretically you should be able to find your article no later than 6 hours in the full text search after it has been received on the archive site. As usual, please direct comments, flames and other remarks to bi@inside.net and DO NOT HIT REPLY! The archive can be reached under http://www.astroarchive.com There's a text only-nonjava and a graphical-java version. Are you missing a mailing list? Please let me know the details how to get the archive subscribed. Happy searching! - Balthasar Indermuehle Lists: From MeteorObs@charleston.net Wed Oct 20 07:37:30 1999 Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 15:07:09 -0400 From: Mark Davis To: Meteor Observing List Cc: IMO Mail List Subject: Fw: Radio observing help [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] Hi Folks, Can any of you radio folks help Kenneth out? If so, please respond directly to him, as I do not think he is a member of these mail lists. Thanks!! Mark Davis, MeteorObs@charleston.net Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA Coordinator, North American Meteor Network ======================================================= NAMN: http://web.infoave.net/~meteorobs ======================================================= ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Monday, October 18, 1999 6:45 PM Hi, I saw your radio observation guide on the web. I was wondering, is there a sample radio sounds or recordings on the net. What are they sound like? How much background static is good frequency? Should I tune into a very quiet channel, or tune to one with lots of statics Thanks for your help. Kenneth Jang From jmtrigo@ctv.es Sun Oct 24 20:26:42 1999 Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 11:08:32 +0100 From: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" To: "[iso-8859-1] \"'Jürgen Rendtel (IMO)'\"" , "'Peter Jenniskens (NASA)'" , "'Rainer Arlt (IMO)'" <100114.1361@compuserve.com>, 'Peter Brown' , 'IMO NEWS' Cc: "'l-somyce@aagc.dis.ulpgc.es'" , "'Juli Castellano i Roig (SOMYCE)'" Subject: Orionid data [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] Dear colleagues, The past 21th October I followed the Orionid activity during its maximum. Please note the next observational data. ------------------------ Observer: Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez (IMO CODE: TRIJO) Dept. Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Valencia Member of SOMYCE and GEA Observing site: Benicassim, Castellon, Spain Longitude: E 0° 02' 19'' Latitude: 40° 01' 22''N , Altitude: 10 meters. October 20-21th 1999 METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F ORI NTA STA PIS SOR DAU SPO 0301-0406 1.02 6.40 1.00 13 1 1 1 1 1 2 Center field of view: RA=75° Dec=00° METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(number) Sporadics: +3(2) Orionids (ORI): -2(1, train 1 sec.), -1(1, tr. 3 s.),+1(1, tr. 1 s.),+2(3.5, 1 trained),+3(2.5),+4(2.5),+5(1.5) North Taurids (NTA): +3(1) South Taurids (STA):+4(1) South Piscids (PIS): +3(0.5), +4(0.5) Sigma Orionids (SOR): +4(1) Delta Aurigids (DAU): +1(1) ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez -Dept. Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Valencia -Prof. Dept. Experimental Sciences, University Jaume I -SOMYCE E-mail: jmtrigo@ctv.es Web page: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones: (+Spain Code 34) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 Postal address: c/ Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) SPAIN ******************************************************************* From borovic@asu.cas.cz Wed Oct 27 13:48:27 1999 Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 12:57:07 +0100 From: Jiri Borovicka To: IMO-News mailing list Subject: Re: More on the LINEARIDS (fwd) [The following text is in the "iso-8859-2" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] > Perhaps the most extreme case for a long-period comet are the Lyrids, > The Lyrids are associated with Thatcher's Comet of 1861 whose period is > approximately 415 years. > Do not forget the alpha-Monocerotids, where the parent comet is unknown but the period is certainly long. And the 1935 Aurigids with parent Comet Kiess of the period of the order of 2000 years. However, these comets do not produce meteor outburst just behind the comet. See the discussion in Jenniskens and van Leeuwen (1997, PSS 45,1649). The catalog of Cook (1973) shows two meteor showers (not outburst) associated with nearly parabolic comets: omicron Draconids and Comet Metcalf and Leo Minorids and Comet Zanotti. In any case, the Linearids may be worth to look for. Jiri Borovicka From news@charlie.luc.ac.be Wed Oct 27 22:20:23 1999 Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 17:41:43 +0100 (MET) From: Mailing List Operator Reply-To: rjbouma@wxs.nl To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: Linearids ---------- Doorgestuurd bericht ---------- Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 17:45:52 -0700 From: reinder j bouma Subject: Gamma ursae Majoriden COMET 1999 J3 (LINEAR) and the GAMMA URSAE MAJORIDS. This comet was one of several faint comets discovered by the LINEAR program in May 1999. At discovery it was an inconspicu- ous object of 17th magnitude, but when a first orbit became available, it was soon realized that this comet could become an interesting object both for visual comet observers, AND meteor observers. A preliminary orbit indicated that periheli- on was due on September 20, only 0.98 AU from the Sun. Moreover, it appeared that the descending node of the high inclination orbit was only 0.01-0.02 AU outside the Earth's orbit, suggesting that dust particles associated with this comet could possibly be observed around 11 November as fast meteors emanating from a point near Gamma Ursae Majoris. Now that the comet has been observed for almost 5 month, and a fairly accurate orbit has been published, it is possible to give a better assessment of what to expect of the associated meteors. Visual observations of this comet since discovery show that this is an intrinsically faint comet, with Ho ~ 9. The very steep rise in brightness with n = 6-8 ('normal' is 3- 4) strongly suggests that this is not a dynamically new comet, but rather an old one, that is only active during a short period around perihelion passage. Although a short (gas)tail developed, it is also clear that this comet is not producing a lot of dust. Nevertheless, it was a nice object in the morning sky, reaching magnitude 7.5-8 in the middle of October. Currently it is moving to high southern declination and star- ting to fade. The most recent orbital elements published in MPC 35814 also show that C/1999 J3 is not a 'new' comet; the indicated period is ~63000 year. It should be noted though that this figure is only a rough indication. Strictly speaking the period is only valid for a choosen time close to perihelion, and planetary perturbations may have influenced this figure considerably, sothat the 'original' period could easily be a few ten thou- sends years more, or less. But it now appears safe to assume that this comet has passed the inner parts of the solar system before, although the period is quite long. The aforementioned orbital elements show that comet 1999 J3 passed its descending node on October 2.86 (UT), at 1.0013 AU from the Sun, only 0.0115 AU outside the Earth's orbit. The Earth itself is crossing the orbital plane on November 11.82 (UT), 40 days 'behind' the comet. This is also the best time that associated meteors can be observed, with a radiant near R.A. 176 deg and Dec. +54 deg. (J2000.0). This position is very close to second magnitude Gamma Ursae Majoris. This sort of observing geometry has generally been found the best for observing (high) activity of any possible shower. Unfortunately, at the time around orbital plane crossing the radiant is due north for European observers, and consequently low over the horizon, but the further east one goes through (Northern) Europe and Asia the better. Possible meteors are swift, much like the Perseids. Remains the important question what sort of activity we can most likely expect in this particular case... I don't think that here any comparison with most known meteor showers is appropriate, even the ones that have similar dis- tances to the Earth's orbit and a faint parent comet, like P/Giacobini-Zinner/Draconids and P/Tempel-Tuttle/Leonids, because of the big difference in time scale. One may expect that any dust that has been ejected during a previous perihe- lion passage of C/1999 J3 has been largely dissipated after several tens of thousends of years, even when planetary per- turbations are very minor, because of the high inclination long period orbit, and thus not complicating the matter as in the case of showers that are mainly residing in the inner solar system, and more or less permanently subject to planeta- ry perturbations, particularly by Jupiter. But some (heavy) particles may have survived in the wake of the comet, and some of these we may encounter... It should be noted further that no long period comet in an orbit that comes very close to the Earth has ever produced a major shower. A good example is C/IRAS-Araki-Alcock that came very close to the Earth in May 1983; the Earth passed the plane of the comet near the descending node only 2 days BEFORE the comet, and nothing significant was seen then. However, careful monitoring by Dutch observers Langbroek and Miskotte , as well as some other observers, in subsequent years, showed a low annual activity of associated Eta Lyrids, with a ZHR of ~2. This comet has an absolute brightness simi- lar to C/1999 J3 with H10 ~ 9, but its period is considerably shorter, near 1000 years. Even a big comet like 1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) that released huge amounts of dust, only produced a few possible meteors in early January 1998, although admittedly its miss distance is 10 times larger than that of C/1999 J3. Considering all the pro's and con's I find it unlikely that C/1999 J3 will produce a significant shower this year, despite the favourable geometry. Nevertheless, it may be useful to be on the alert, particularly within 24 hours on both sides of the orbital plane passage, for fast meteors coming from the Big Dipper. In would not be the first time that meteor showers have a surprise for us after all! --------------------------------------------------- Reinder J. Bouma email: rjbouma@wxs.nl Bekemaheerd 77 or: rjbouma@planet.nl 9737PR Groningen The Netherlands phone: +31 (0)50-5418227 --------------------------------------------------- From dedalus@latrade.com Thu Oct 28 09:32:58 1999 Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 20:24:22 -0400 From: Lew Gramer To: Meteor Observing Mailing List Cc: International Meteor Organization News Subject: Taurids and the Telescopic Meteor Observer Malcolm Currie is the head of the Telescopic Commission of the International Meteor Organization. Malcolm, I believe many of us might like to observe the upcoming Taurid peak period telescopically - and so hopefully contribute to our understanding of the structure of this very complicated radiant complex! What would you recommend as a way to get started with telescopic plotting, for those of us who have never had the chance to do it? And for those of us who have tried it successfully a few times, which of your Telescopic Plotting Charts would you recommend for studying the various phases of the Taurid/OAR peak? Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us: I know I for one am very excited at this excellent opportunity for telescopists to make a contribution! Clear skies, Lew Gramer, GRALE From news@charlie.luc.ac.be Fri Oct 29 15:17:43 1999 Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 13:45:37 +0100 (MET) From: Mailing List Operator Reply-To: secretary@imo.net To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: special offer The International Meteor Organization would like to offer some of its excess publications at half price. These include eight different "Report Series" covering the years from 1988 to 1995 and seven different publications of the IMC (International Meteor Conference) Proceedings covering the years 1990 to 1996. Each Report Series contains the visual meteor data reported to the IMO from that particular year. Contents include total contributions by country, by month, and individual. The majority of each volume is the actual data listed in chronological order. Magnitude data is also presented for each reported shower. The volumes average 150 pages each and are well worth the price! Each summer the IMC has been held in Europe bringing together amateurs and professionals from all over the world to discuss all aspects of meteor astronomy. The IMC Proceedings keep you informed of the presentations and discussions held at each meeting and presents the cutting edge of current knowledge in this field. Price List: Report Series #1-5 1988-1992 $6.00 per volume Report Series #6-8 1993-1995 $8.00 per volume IMC Proceedings 90, 91, 92, 94 $4.00 per volume IMC Proceedings 93, 95, 96 $4.50 per volume Payment instructions: Please, send your payments to the Treasurer or one of her assistants as indicated below: - in Europe: pay in German Marks or Euro to Ina Rendtel by transferring to the postal giro account number 547234107 at Postbank Berlin, bank code 10010010. (Please send no bank checks! - If you must pay by check, pay to Robert Lunsford as indicated below.) - in the United Kingdom: proceed as above, or pay to Alastair McBeath, 12A Prior's Walk, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 2RF, England. - in Japan: pay to Masahiro Koseki, 4-3-5 Annaka, Annaka-shi, 379-01 Gunma-ken, Japan. - All others pay in US Dollars to Robert Lunsford, 161 Vance Street, Chula Vista, California, 91910, USA. - All people insisting on paying by check should pay to Robert Lunsford in US Dollars, as indicated above. Make checks payable to Robert Lunsford, not to the IMO! Don't delay to take advantage of this opportunity to complete your set at bargain prices! This offer expires January 1, 2000. Sincerely, Robert Lunsford IMO Secretary General From jmtrigo@ctv.es Wed Nov 3 17:07:21 1999 Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 16:13:15 +0100 From: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" To: 'IMO NEWS' , "'Hans Betlem (DMS)'" , "'Pavel Spurny (Ondrejov Obs.)'" Cc: 'AMS Electronic Circular' , 'Bertus van Gemeren' , "'Christian Koeberl (IMPACT)'" , "'Dr. Jerbos (Slovak Meteor Exp.)'" , "'Gary W. Kronk'" , "'J.A.Docobo'" , 'Kazuhiro Suzuki' , 'Korado Korlevic' , 'Lew Gramer' , "'M.Currie (IMO)'" , "'Marc de Ligne (IMO Photographic Comission)'" , 'Peter Brown' , "'Peter Jenniskens (NASA)'" , "'Z. Ceplecha'" Subject: Leonids 1999 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] Dear colleagues, As you probably know, the Spanish Photographic Meteor Network (SPMN) is an iniciative of the University of Valencia to develop meteor work in Spain (see f.e WGN 27-5). In our SPMN project collaborates several members of SOMYCE. In this e-mail we inform you of an important activity to develop in our country during the next weeks. From the 13th to 20th November the SPMN organizes a Meteor Campaign to observe the 1999 Leonids from three excellent sites in Valencia and Teruel provinces (1300-2000 m high). We note the extraordinary dark sky with a mean limiting magnitude that surpass +6.5 and an excellent horizon. The mean emplacement of our campaign is the first building of the Astronomical Center of "Alto Turia" where a double 30-20 cm. astrograph was officially opened on 22 May 1998. The second telescope will be a 50cm reflector, now in installation. At the same time we prepare during the next 13-14th Nov. weekend a Workshop on photographic and video meteor work and an open day to visit our new Astronomical Center. As our team try to develop a Fireball Network in Spain, this activity can be very interesting to introduce spanish people on the importance of spectroscopic and orbital meteor analysis. We are grateful for the participation and trust of two teams lidered by Dr. Hans Betlem (Dutch Meteor Society- Leiden Univ.) and Dr. Pavel Spurny (Ondrejov Observatory). In this e-mail you will find information on our Leonids 1999 project and the final program of the Workshop. Of course all IMO members are invited to participate actively!. SATURDAY November 13th 21h-01h In the Alto Turia Astronomical Center (CAAT) site in Aras de Alpuente (Valencia). Open journay monitorized by members of the Asociación Valenciana de Astronomía (AVA). Observation of the Moon, Jupiter and Saturn with the double astrograph of 20 and 30 cms. At the same time, show of instruments of the 1999 Leonids Campaign. With the collaboration of the Dutch Meteor Society, Ondrejov Observatory and SPMN. DOMINGO 14 Noviembre Activities in the town council of Aras de Alpuente (Valencia). Show of instruments and posters of the 1999 Leonids Campaign. 11h Welcome and scientific objectives of the CAAT. Dr. Alvaro López (Univ. Valencia) and Joan Manuel Bullon president of Astronomical Association of Valencia (AVA). 11:30h "Photographic monitoring of fireballs in Central Europe". Dr. Pavel Spurný (Ondrejov Observatory, Czech Rep.). 12:10h "Meteor photography with small cameras. Techniques and results" Dr. Hans Betlem (Univ. Leiden and Dutch Meteor Society). 12:50h Presentation and first results of the "Spanish Photographic Meteor Network" by Josep Ma. Trigo (Univ. Valencia) and Juli Castellano Roig (SOMYCE). 13:30h PRESS-CONFERENCE: "1999 Leonids prospects". ------- LEONIDS CAMPAIGN Photographic and video multi station imaging of the Leonids during the nights 16/7, 17/18 and 18/19 November from at least two sites about 80 km apart in North to South direction (approx.) Instruments : Station 1 : 23 camera's Canon T-70 with lenses f/1.8-50 mm, all-sky video camera with image intensifier and Canon f/2.8-15 mm fish-eye lens, Spectrograph with Zeiss Tessar f/4.5-160 mm and grating 461 lines/mm, All-Sky camera with Zeiss Distagon f/3.5-30 mm and video camera with 55 mm objective and image intensifier, Laptop computer, GSM phone and internet connection. Station 2 : 14 camera's Canon T-70 with lensen f/1.8-50 mm, All sky camera with Zeiss Distagon f/3.5-30 mm and video camera with 55 mm objective and image intensifier. Lap top computer, GSM phone and internet connection. Both station will be equipped with a back-up electricity generator. Station 3 : 10 camera's with lenses f/1.8-50 to f/2.4-20 mm, one battery all-sky of 5 cameras. Spectrograph and gratings 500-1000 lines/mm. > - Affiliation of the mean leaders: Universities and other centers. Station 1 : M.J. Betlem, Dutch Meteor Society and affiliated with the Leiden Sterrewacht, the Netherlands. Annemarie Zoete, Michelle van From pjenniskens@mail.arc.nasa.gov Wed Nov 3 18:50:52 1999 Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 17:05:12 -0800 From: Peter Jenniskens To: imo-news@imo.net Cc: rjbouma@wxs.nl, meteorobs@jovian.com Subject: New shower from comet C/1999J3 ? Will there by a meteor outburst from comet C/1999J3 this year? There has been some excitement about the possible meteor outburst activity of long period comet C/1999J3. The comet is expected to pass fairly close to Earth's orbit, at 0.0115 AU outside of the Earth's orbit, and at a location that we will pass on November 11.82 UT. This is a long-period comet, with a period of some 63,000 years long. This type of comets cause "far-comet" type outbursts, i.e. outbursts that do not correlate with the return of the comet to perihelion. Instead, the planets cause a dust trail in the comet orbit to move in the Earth's path once in a while. Typically once or twice every sixty years. The showers are brief (less than 1-2 hours) and they occur close to the node of the comet orbit. The reason why the showers do not correlate with the return of the comet is because the long period orbit causes large differences in orbital period for individual grains that are ejected with a range of ejection velocities. Hence, the dust spreads rapidly along the comet orbit during even a single orbit, and quickly dillutes so much as to be hardly detectable. A shower from this comet may have occurred in the past, which should have been much at the same solar longitude as the decending node of the comet orbit. The maximum effect of planetary perturbations is needed to move the trail by 0.0115 AU. Hence, the years when the planets Jupiter and Saturn lined up in the right direction will have had best chance. Hence, it is unlikely that there will be activity from comet C/1999J3 this year, unless the planets happen to favor a position of the dust trail that is right in Earth's path. That is unlikely. Nevertheless, keep an eye out for the unexpected! Also, this type of "far-comet" outbursts must occur relatively frequently all throughout the year, many showers of which remain to be discovered. Peter Jenniskens From md6648@mclink.it Wed Nov 3 18:51:08 1999 Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999 16:12:56 +0100 From: "Roberto G." To: IMO , Peter Jenniskens Subject: New shower from comet C/1999J3 ? [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] Sorry for not very good English. The participation of Peter Jenniskens is very interesting. I believe that in this case the critical factor is a point that still has not been dealt. The comet is wide some Km, the distance between the orbit of the comet and that one of the Earth is of approximately 1,800,000 Km: why there is a swarm is necessary that the meteoroids go away from the orbit of the comet of a minimum of 1,800,000 Km. The comet and the Earth will pass nearly in the same point of the space to 52 days approximately of interval, if 1,800,000 Km are divided for 4.500.000 seconds (second ones contained in 52 days) we obtains that in the best one of the cases a speed of 400 m/sec is necessary for a meteoroid to catch up the orbit of the Earth when this is to the node of the comet. In a generalized manner the meteoroids go away from comets to lower speeds much, for which it must be thought that in 1999 us would not have to be this new rain, while he is more and more probable for the future years: but in the years lucks the length of the powder tail will be critical, if it will not be sufficiently long, the wake would be enough wide to catch up the Earth but it will be already last. Roberto Gorelli From news@charlie.luc.ac.be Thu Nov 4 10:35:57 1999 Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 19:49:44 +0100 (MET) From: Mailing List Operator Reply-To: Ron Baalke To: imo-news@imo.net Subject: Leonids on the Moon Forwarded without permission from the 'meteorobs' mailing list. -- Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1999 16:14:22 GMT From: Ron Baalke Subject: (meteorobs) Leonids on the Moon Leonids on the Moon Marshall Space Flight Center http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast03nov99_1.htm Leonid meteorite impacts on the Moon might be visible from Earth and provide a means for long-distance lunar prospecting. Nov. 3, 1999: When the Leonid meteor shower strikes on the morning of November 18, 1999, our planet won't be the only place in the cross hairs. The Moon will also pass very close to the debris stream of comet Tempel-Tuttle. Here on Earth, space-borne meteoroids will plummet into the atmosphere and burn up, creating streaks of light called meteors. The vast majority of meteoroids will burn and disintegrate well before they hit the ground. The situation on the Moon, where there is no appreciable atmosphere, is different. Every bit of comet debris that rains down on our satellite will hit its surface. Some meteor enthusiasts hope that will create a different sort of display. Rather than streaks of light in lunar skies, there could be flashes of light on the Moon's surface each time a sizable meteoroid hits the ground. Last year, during the 1998 Leonid meteor shower, the phase of the moon was new. It was so close to the sun in the sky that observing faint lunar meteorite flashes was impossible. This year is different. During the 1999 Leonid shower the phase of the Moon will be just 2 days past first quarter. That means the moon will visible in the night sky during the early evening on November 17, and approximately 35% of the lunar disk as seen from Earth will not be illuminated by sunlight. There will be plenty of dark lunar terrain where flashes might be visible. Is it possible to observe such flashes? Maybe, say researchers. It depends a great deal on the mass spectrum of particles in the Tempel-Tuttle debris stream and how efficiently kinetic energy is converted into optical light as a result of the impacts. Both factors are poorly known. Although flashes are unlikely to be seen with the naked eye, they may be detectable through amateur telescopes. "The impact of a one gram particle would generate of the order of 1023 to 1024 photons in the peak sensitivity range of the human eye," says Dr. Bo Gustafson of the University of Florida Laboratory for Astrophysics. "Given the distance to the Moon, we could expect a few times 106 photons per square meter at the Earth. This should be barely detectable using a small telescope." In June 1999, Ciel & Espace reported that a Spanish team of astronomers led by J.L. Ortiz had reached similar conclusions: Watching meteorites fall on the moon ... is within reach of (modest) amateur telescopes. Because the Moon doesn't have a substantial atmosphere, meteorite impacts there are much more violent than here on Earth liberating much more energy: 20 million joules for a 1-kg block. As seen from the Earth, this would produce a flash of magnitude 9 to 15. From Ciel & Espace, No. 349 - Juin 1999, p. 17: Si, c'est possible! (Translation courtesy Bernd Pauli HD). "The Leonid debris stream is in a retrograde orbit, and it's inclined just 22 degrees from the plane of Earth's orbit around the sun," says Professor George Lebo of the University of Florida Department of Astronomy. "That's why the Leonids enter the atmosphere with such a high velocity [72 km/s]. The Earth and the Leonids hit head-on, like a head-on collision between two speeding automobiles." "If you put yourself in the reference frame of the Earth it's pretty easy to figure out where these meteoroids will hit the Moon, "continued Lebo. "On November 18, at 0h UT the lunar sub-Leonid point [the spot where Leonid meteoroids rain directly down on the Moon's surface] will be 9.4 degrees north of the lunar equator and 9.5 degrees sun ward of the day-night terminator. In other words, the greatest flux of Leonids are going to hit nearly dead center on the lunar disk as seen from Earth, just over the terminator on the sunlit side." It won't be possible to see flashes on the Moon's sunlit surface, so amateurs will have to look where the terrain is dark. The best approach will be to train a telescope -- higher powers are best for discerning faint flashes -- at a spot near the lunar equator on the night side of the terminator, keeping the sunlit side of the moon completely out of the field of view. Flashes observed with the naked eye would certainly be exciting, but might have little scientific value. Instead, experienced observers suggest using a low-light astronomical CCD video camera to make a permanent record. The Leonids radiant, in the constellation Leo, rises above the horizon at mid-northern latitudes around midnight on November 17/18. That's about the same time that the Moon sets. It's an ideal situation for observers who can monitor the Moon for the first half of the night and then enjoy the Leonid meteor shower from midnight until dawn. Leonid Lunar Prospecting Although optical flashes were not observed on the moon during last year's meteor shower, a team of scientists from the Boston University Center for Space Physics discovered indirect evidence for Leonid impacts. The Moon has an extremely tenuous atmosphere that contains, among other things, sodium atoms. Just above the Moon's surface the density of sodium is 50 atoms per cubic centimeter. For comparison, the sodium density in Earth's lower atmosphere is 1019/cc! Although the Moon's atmosphere is incredibly thin, researchers at Boston University's space physics lab have built sensitive cameras that can trace its sodium component out to several lunar radii. In mid-November 1998 the Boston University group were using their sodium camera to monitor Earth's atmosphere for changes due to Leonid meteors. To their surprise they detected a bright sodium spot on November 17 that grew in brightness, peaked on November 19, and then faded away. The spot was almost 180 degrees away from the new Moon in the night sky. Nevertheless, the source of the sodium was apparently Earth's satellite. When Leonid meteoroids crashed into the Moon's dusty soil they kicked up an extra helping of sodium atoms, increasing the density of the Moon's thin atmosphere. A long lunar sodium tail formed (much like the tail of a comet) which swept by our planet two days later. The Boston University experiment showed for the first time that intense meteor showers might be one way of "lunar prospecting" from a distance -- by looking at materials blasted off the surface as meteoroids strike. A team of scientists from the University of Texas and NASA tried something similar earlier this year when they crashed NASA's Lunar Prospector spacecraft into the Moon. The probe was sent hurtling into a south polar crater on July 31 in hopes that the impact would vaporize shadowed water-ice and send a cloud of water vapor and OH flying over the lunar limb. Telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope, looked near the impact site after the crash, but failed to detect evidence for water. That doesn't mean there's no water on the moon, say scientists. Lunar Prospector may simply have hit a dry spot, or perhaps the water vapor didn't rise high enough to see. Dr. David Goldstein, a professor at the University of Texas who proposed the Lunar Prospector impact experiment, is wondering if the Leonids might succeed where the Lunar Prospector crash failed. Data from Lunar Prospector's neutron spectrometer indicate that water-ice on the moon is concentrated around the Moon's poles where shadowed areas would allow pockets of water to remain frozen (see the figure below). The 1999 Leonids won't reach the Moon's south pole, but many meteoroids should strike the north pole. "The Leonids will be coming in from above the ecliptic plane," says Goldstein. "Given the Earth-moon geometry on November 18th that means that the lunar north pole will be exposed, but not the south pole. That's unfortunate because there's thought to be more water around the south pole where we crashed Lunar Prospector. There's no chance of a Leonid meteoroid hitting the crater where Prospector crashed. Near the north pole the meteoroids will be coming in at several degrees above the horizon -- very similar to the Lunar Prospector trajectory." "Compared to Lunar Prospector, Leonid meteoroids are light weight and tiny, but they move a lot faster," Goldstein continued. "The mass of Lunar Prospector was 160 kg and it was moving 1.7 km/s when it hit the moon on July 31. Leonid particles are going about 72 km/s. That means that a Leonid the mass of a golf ball (about 0.1 kg) would deliver the same kinetic energy as the Lunar Prospector crash." "If a Leonid meteoroid did hit a spot near the north pole with frozen water, it's not clear what we would see. The Lunar Prospector collision was like a car crash -- it was moving at relatively slow speed. When it hit, we hoped it would kick up water vapor that would be dissociated into OH by ultraviolet sunlight. In theory we would then see the OH by looking above the sunlit lunar limb with appropriate spectrometers. A Leonid crash would be much more violent. Instead of water vapor gently wafting above the lunar limb, we might see ionized, hot plasma. It's possible that we would also get some warm water vapor that didn't sustain such a damaging shock wave, but it's really hard to say. We haven't done the high speed simulations yet." Goldstein says that he and his colleagues may not have time to organize a search for signs of water kicked up by Leonids this year, following so closely on the heels of the Lunar Prospector experiment. However, with some experts predicting significant Leonid activity into the next millennium, there will be time to arrange an observing campaign for next year and beyond. Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 09:55:19 +0200 From: Esko.Lyytinen@MINEDU.FI Subject: Re:Leonids on the Moon Concerning the hit of Leonids on the Moon, it is good to notice that the maximum there will be almost three hours later than in Earth. The 1899 trail will pass the Moon 18 Nov. at about 04:55UT as appears in my Metarereasch Bulletin (Sept. 15) paper. The trail will pass between Earth an Moon and more close to the Moon, at about 0.0002Au. Esko Lyytinen Date: Thu, 04 Nov 1999 14:11:07 +0300 From: Mohammad Odeh Subject: Leonids '99 From Jordan Greetings, The Arab Union for Astronomy & Space Sciences, the Institute of Astronomy & Space Sciences, and the Jordanian Astronomical Society, will organize the 1999 Jordanian Leonid Meteors Conference on the period 12-21 November 1999. Kindly visit our Leonids '99 page to know the details of this conference, as well as the expectations of some well-known scientists. Also, u will find several links to other related sites. Have a look at that page, and we appreciate ur comments. http://www.jas.org.jo/leo99.html Clear Skies !! Moh'd -- ********************************************************************** Mohammad Shawkat Odeh. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS). Member of JAS Administrative Board. P.O. Box 925916 Amman 11110 Jordan. Fax: (001)(707) 221-0918. odeh@jas.org.jo http://Beam.to/odeh (Personal URL) http://www.jas.org.jo/ (JAS URL) ********************************************************************** Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 09:27:32 +0100 From: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Subject: RV: Leonids Camp. in Spain LEONIDS CAMPAIGN IN SPAIN Photographic and video multi station imaging of the Leonids during the nights 16/7, 17/18 and 18/19 November from at least two sites about 80 km apart in North to South direction (approx.) Instruments : Station 1 : 23 camera's Canon T-70 with lenses f/1.8-50 mm, all-sky video camera with image intensifier and Canon f/2.8-15 mm fish-eye lens, Spectrograph with Zeiss Tessar f/4.5-160 mm and grating 461 lines/mm, All-Sky camera with Zeiss Distagon f/3.5-30 mm and video camera with 55 mm objective and image intensifier, Laptop computer, GSM phone and internet connection. Station 2 : 14 camera's Canon T-70 with lensen f/1.8-50 mm, All sky camera with Zeiss Distagon f/3.5-30 mm and video camera with 55 mm objective and image intensifier. Lap top computer, GSM phone and internet connection. Both station will be equipped with a back-up electricity generator. Station 3 : 10 camera's with lenses f/1.8-50 to f/2.4-20 mm, one battery all-sky of 5 cameras. Spectrograph and gratings 500-1000 lines/mm. > - Affiliation of the mean leaders: Universities and other centers. Station 1 : M.J. Betlem, Dutch Meteor Society and affiliated with the Leiden Sterrewacht, the Netherlands. Annemarie Zoete, Michelle van Rossum (Netherlands) and Ales Kolar of the Czech Republic. Station 2 : Dr. Pavel Spurny, Ondrejov Observatory, Czech Academy of Sciences. Anna Spurny, Pavel Trepka (Czech Republic) and Guus Docters van Leeuwen (Netherlands) Station 3: Josep Trigo, Dept. Astronomy, Universitat de Valencia. Juli Castellano, Angela del Castillo, Rafa Ferrando, Rafa Ramirez, Natatxa Sánchez, German Dominguez, Sonia Sales. ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez -Dept. Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Valencia -Prof. Dept. Experimental Sciences, University Jaume I -SOMYCE E-mail: jmtrigo@ctv.es Phones: (+Spain Code 34) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 Postal address: c/ Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) SPAIN ******************************************************************* Date: Sun, 07 Nov 1999 18:31:54 -0500 From: Mark Davis Cc: Cathy Hall The November issue of NAMN Notes, the newsletter of the North American Meteor Network, is now available online at the NAMN website: http://web.infoave.net/~meteorobs Among the topics discussed are the upcoming Leonids, as well as other showers active during the month. Clear skies! Mark Davis, MeteorObs@charleston.net Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA Coordinator, North American Meteor Network Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 14:17:39 +0800 From: Chu-lok CHAN Subject: [IMO-News] 1998 Leonids photos Dear Sir, Some beautiful pictures of 1998 Leonids took by Hong Kong amateurs are posted at the web page of Hong Kong Space Museum : http://www.usd.gov.hk/hkspm/e_index.html Please have a look. Mr. Chu-lok CHAN Member of Hong Kong Asronomical Society Date: Tue, 09 Nov 1999 19:43:57 +0300 From: Mohammad Odeh Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids '99 From Jordan Greetings, The Arab Union for Astronomy & Space Sciences, the Institute of Astronomy & Space Sciences, and the Jordanian Astronomical Society, will organize the 1999 Jordanian Leonid Meteors Conference on the period 12-21 November 1999. Kindly visit our Leonids '99 page to know the details of this conference, as well as the expectations of some well-known scientists. Also, u will find several links to other related sites. Have a look at that page, and we appreciate ur comments. http://www.jas.org.jo/leo99.html Clear Skies !! Moh'd -- ********************************************************************** Mohammad Shawkat Odeh. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS). Member of JAS Administrative Board. P.O. Box 925916 Amman 11110 Jordan. Fax: (001)(707) 221-0918. odeh@jas.org.jo http://Beam.to/odeh (Personal URL) http://www.jas.org.jo/ (JAS URL) ********************************************************************** Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 19:05:27 +0100 (MET) From: "Marc.Gyssens" Subject: [IMO-News] Leonid info - erratum! Dear recipients, I noticed a small but very unfortunate typo in the introductory text of the mailing you received earlier today: the Leonid peak is expected around 2h UT on November 18, 1999 (2h08m UT to be more precise, according to the calculations of Asher and McNaught), and not 3h UT as erroneously mentioned. The information in the attachments is correct. Please apologize me for this slip; Murphy is omnipresent, apparently! Kind regards, Marc Gyssens Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 00:26:04 +1100 (EST) From: Rob McNaught Subject: [IMO-News] [long] Theories for Leonid Storm Prediction (draft) The following are notes were started as preparation for a lecture. However I felt that they might be of general interest, given that many of the works cited below often go unmentioned, or are quoted without analysis. I am aware that I have not mentioned some works (e.g. Kresak's 1993 study), but will include these at a later date. As I'm leaving for overseas in several hours, my attempts to knock this into better shape has come to an end. Despite many helpful comments by David Asher on a much earlier draft, about half of what follows has not been submitted to anyone or comment. It would thus be inappropriate to quote anything from what follows as if it were from a refereed journal. It is my intention to work on this much more after my return from the Leonids trip and submit it for publication. A Review of Theories for Leonid Storm Prediction R. H. McNaught, last edited 99Nov09 Introduction There has been little critical evaluation of the various Leonid storm predictions, either in the professional literature or in the popular astronomy media. This has resulted in speculative methods with no theoretical basis or historical validation, being presented side by side with theoretically rigorous approaches that have been carefully validated against the historical record. I shall discuss some of these methods here, so that a clearer assessment can be made about the various prediction methods. Studies using the comet node. Yeomans (1981) demonstrated an obvious correlation between the timing of storms and the time and position of the Earth in relation to the comet node. In terms of predictive power this model fails, with years of high and low activity intermixed. It is also only an approximation, as the nodal distance of the comet is only of physical relevance when the comet is actually at the node. Differential perturbations between the comet, and the ejected dust, lead to the dust having a different nodal longitude and distance from the comet. Also, should one choose the osculating orbit at the time of the comet being at the node, or the time of observation? The value of the dust node need only be the same as the comet at the time of ejection. Beyond that, the orbits must be treated independently. Using the node of the comet gives an approximation of the time of storms to a few hours for storms in the last 200 years, using nodal values of either osculating orbit. This is discussed more fully in McNaught (1999). That the storm years, do indeed cluster in one quadrant of the Yeoman's plot indicates that it does have some predictive value, but there are both false positives and flase negatives. Although both axes of the plot are qualitatively reasonable, only the time axis is also quantitative. The effect of solar radiation pressure is to push particles into longer period orbits, and therefore they return after the comet. The density of the dust with age since ejection but this is not accommodated in the diagram. The radial distance axis is problematic, as noted above. David Asher comments "as for the inside/outside distance being a factor, while the idea is qualitatively correct (i.e. radiation pressure does tend to cause particles to be on marginally bigger orbits in space) it's qualitatively irrelevant, compared to the effect on the nodal distance of gravitational perturbations, for visual meteor size particles." Cooke (1997) looks at the Yeomans' diagram through a statistician's eye. He tries to derive probabilities of storm conditions in various years. To some extent this must be seen as a failure of this general approach using the comet node. No amount of math can compensate for not undertaking a rigorous dynamical analysis of the ejected dust. To understand Leonid storms, or any physical phenomenon for that matter, one needs both maths and a physical understanding of the phenomenon involved. Ferrin (1999) uses a similar form of analysis as Yeomans, but gives the Yeomans diagram an additional dimension of ZHR intensity at maximum. Whilst one can argue about the values of ZHR used in the diagram (e.g. the almost certainly spurious storm values for 1900 and 1901), and the way individual values were selected from the available data (e.g. 1866 and 1867) the idea is initially reasonable, given the limitations noted for the Yeomans (1981) paper above. The intensity of the Leonid activity of the last 200 years has isolines of shower intensity empirically fitted. A "ridge" of uniform high intensity (ZHR = 150,000) is identified crossing the diagram in a curve from the comet. Given the small amount of data for high intensity storms (ZHR > 10,000), it is notable that one of these lies significantly away from the ridge and is too high by a factor of 10 over the fit. Given that the fit is completely empirical, this is a major problem for such sparse data. Probably the most unusual thing about the fit is the assumption that the ridge of high intensity is of uniform intensity. This is clearly false in the close vicinity of the comet. The ZHR immediately beside the comet would be enormous, such dust hardly having time to dissipate. However there is a big difference between the dust density near the comet and that a year or so behind. It is well known that solar radiation pressure causes particles of the size that produce visual meteors, to orbit more slowly. Thus an initially uniform ejection of dust will, one revolution later, result in a mass separation with most "visual meteoroids" being concentrated away from the comet. Thus, even with the probably spurious storm level values for 1900 and 1901, these facts immediately suggests to the eye a series of closed loops off-centered from the comet. The consequence of this would be that the rates during the current epoch would be considerably lower than the values Ferrin suggests, from his unjustified empirical fit. Whilst a number of theoretical considerations are made, there is no attempt to look at the actual spatial distribution of dust through rigorous orbital integrations. Brown (1999) has analysed the available historical observations of the Leonids, deriving the time and ZHR of maximum and the width of Leonid activity. This represents a major achievement and all Leonid storm prediction method should be demonstrated to be consistent with this historical data. Utilising this data Brown uses the same idea as Ferrin, but allows a contour plotting program to contour the ZHR data. For the limitations presented above, and the reasons given below, the use of the comet node cannot succeed. The fundamental reason is that the dust behaves independently of the comet and detailed dynamical studies of the ejected dust must be used. Dynamical studies of ejected dust Wu and Williams (1996) present an analysis of the orbits of dust ejected from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. They apply rigorous corrections for planetary perturbations. Part of their argument is that high ejections velocities of several hundred metres/sec are necessary to produce the orbits of observed Leonid meteors in 1965-66. These orbits remain stable over the past 100 years and do not converge to a common origin. This is in stark contrast to their later modelling where they assume the activity in 1933, 1966, and predictions for 1998-99, can be based solely on dust ejected from the comet on the previous two revolutions. Using the high velocities of ejection derived from the meteor orbits, they believe particles can be ejected into orbits as short as 17 years or as long as 120 years. This provides pathways for particles to make one, two or three revolutions in 66 years. However, if Leonid activity is dominated by recently ejected particles, then the meteor orbits should converge to the comet orbit at either of the previous two returns. That they do not indicates that either a) the orbits are too uncertain to be useful in this analysis and/or b) the assumption that activity is dominated by the most recent returns of the comet, is false. If we assume for the moment that these high ejection velocities are possible, it is reasonable to assume that the extreme orbits of both shorter and longer period are likely to be significantly less populated than those closer to the orbital period of the comet. They specifically make this point in section 4. This is most important when they come to assess the number of test particles that pass close to the Earth. They take 20 test particles from one revolution of the comet earlier, with a 33 year period and 60 from 2 revolutions of the comet earlier, 20 each from particle periods of 22, 33 and 66 years. Simple summing of these 80 particles has no validity. It is probable that there will be many more particles with periods of 33 years than 22 or 66 years. The orbits they integrate have starting orbital periods that make an integral number of revolutions during the time taken for one or two comet orbits. However, despite a claim that they did, there is no evidence in their work that they have iterated these orbital periods to correct for changes due to planetary perturbations resulting in the particles not arriving at the node at the same time as the Earth. The nodal distance is irrelevant if the particle orbit cannot produce a close approach to the Earth. Looking at their Fig 7, the last two bars for each year give the relative number of particles within a nodal distance of 0.002 AU and within a distance from the Earth of 0.005 AU. If the correct orbital period is chosen, then the closest approach will always be (slightly) inside the nodal distance, so the bar giving passage within 0.005 AU of the Earth must always be equal to, or greater than, the bar showing particles within 0.002 AU nodal distance. In two of the four cases they are less, one substantially. Thus most test particles do not in fact have the correct period to have a close encounter with the Earth, and the integrated particles are irrelevant in determining the approach distances and relative numbers. It was found by McNaught and Asher (1999) (see below) that the density of dust trails can vary substantially on scales of the order of an Earth diameter, so the bin sizes used are substantially too coarse to be useful indicators of storm activity. Any conclusions based on Fig 7 are necessarily invalid. Even assuming the Figure is valid, the comparison of these relative numbers of particles for various years shows 1933 coming in at a little under 10% of 1966, in the important quantities (number of particles with nodal distance near Earth, and number with small distance of closest approach to the Earth). However, the ZHR in 1933 was around 3 orders of magnitude smaller than in 1966 (Brown (1999)), so their statement that these figures "roughly mirror the observations" really has little meaning. Overall, the assumptions behind this work are reasonable, but in restricting the calculations to only the previous two orbits, and not choosing the precise orbital period to make a close encounter, the work has no validity as a predictive tool. Also they do not attempt to derive the time of storms from the nodal longitudes of the dust orbits. This is a necessary test of any theory, as it would have available some of the best data for comparison. Kondrat'eva and Reznikov (1985) were the first group to determine meteoroid orbits that had the precise orbital period to arrive at their descending node at the same time as the Earth. Their work has been largely overlooked. The idea is extremely simple. The only meteoroids we can experience as meteors, are ones that have an orbital path from the comet at or near perihelion, to the Earth in some specific November. The application of rigorous planetary perturbations and the consideration of solar radiation pressure, give a nominal orbital solution from which the nodal longitude and distance is derived. Meteoroids with any other orbital period don't pass the node at the same time as the Earth and thus could not become meteors. It is the component of the ejection velocity along the comet's velocity vector that causes the change in orbital period. The spread of the meteoroids about this nominal solution are a result of other components of the ejection velocity that are orthogonal to the comet's velocity vector and of solar radiation pressure. Their work shows a great consistency with the historical data for the years presented. Their predicted time for 1966 is exact, to the resolution of their prediction, which is 0.01 day. In 1993, Reznikov predicted the time of Giacobinid activity as 1998 Oct. 08.550 UT. This was confirmed within observational error! Clearly the group had the ability to make predictions with high time resolution. Kondrat'eva, Murav'eva and Reznikov (1997) update this work by extending for dust ejected at earlier passages of 55P/Tempel-Tuttle through perihelion and derive the nodal longitudes and distances for the dust during the period 1760-2002. Curiously, they only give the predictions of the time of maximum activity to one decimal of a day (+/- 1.2 hours). There is an exceptionally strong correlation between the close approaches to dust "swarms" with moderate ejection velocities (<40 m/s), and years with observed storms. All their derived times for the storm years agree with the observed times derived by Brown (1999) to within +/- 1 hour. This was clearly a major advance in Leonid storm prediction. Asher (1999) was unaware of the Kondrat'eva et al. studies when he basically replicated their early work with his own similar technique. However, he did this with higher precision in nodal longitude than the later Russian study. This led to the realisation that the derived times from the "dust trail" nodal longitude were almost identical to the times of Leonid storm maxima derived by Brown (1999). This was initially discussed by McNaught (1999). McNaught and Asher (1999a) extended the Asher (1999) results by looking at dust trails up to 6 revolutions old (plus some older trails identified by Kondrat'eva et al. (1997)). This indicated that the times of maxima were consistent to within +/-10 minutes for all storms and short duration outbursts that had well defined times of maximum (1866, 1867, 1869, 1966 and 1969. Additionally, they derived a density model based on the ejection velocity (change in semi-major axis) required to produce passage close to the Earth and the nodal distance of the dust trail. This approach also took into account the mass distribution of the ejected dust encountered in a specific year (which is correlated with ejection velocity) and the dilution of the trail density with age. It was demonstrated from test integrations of dust ejected isotropically from the comet, that the resulting trail width remains essentially constant over several revolutions, dilution of the trail density being by stretching alone. Using this model of trail density, they were able to show a remarkable consistency (+/- 20%) between the calculated relative density and the observed ZHR for the storm data of 1833, 1866, 1867, 1869 and 1966. Earlier storm years were not included due to poor data quality and contamination from additional dust trails. The fit to the data was by a double Gaussian. This will limit the predictive value, as it is believed that the dust trails are not symmetrical in radial distance mostly due to the action of solar radiation pressure. Until a theoretically derived dust trail profile in radial distance is developed, the data is too sparse to suggest what improvement may be achieved. McNaught and Asher (1999b) derived a topocentric correction for the observer being offset from the center of the Earth which had been used in the earlier calculations. This indicated that the times calculated from the dust trails could be improved from +/-10 minutes to +/-5 minutes against the observed times calculated by Brown (1999). Lyytinen (1999), unaware of the Kondrat'eva et al. and Asher and McNaught studies, came up with the same results, but a very different starting point. Using van Flandern's satellite model of comets, he derived the times of closest encounter with dust trails through to 2007. Despite that radically different initial assumption, the dynamical analysis was done rigorously and the results of the time of maximum agreeing within minutes with the results of the earlier studies. Lyytinen himself did not do any rigorous historical validation, but his results were clearly very consistent with the historical data. All three groups (Kondrat'eva et al., Asher and McNaught, and Lyytinen) found a small number of dust trail encounters missed by others. These were mostly of older trails. Calculations by other groups confirmed these. This "dust trail" approach to predicting Leonid storms is clearly very powerful and has demonstrated a very close correspondence to the time of storms (+/-5 minutes) and to their ZHR (20% error in the fit to 5 storm ZHRs). Background activity. Although one work of Brown (1999) was mentioned above, he and collegues including Jones, have continued with their studies of the Leonid stream as a whole. The above dynamical studies only addressed the storm peak, whereas Brown et al. are not considering storms in isolation. As I have not seen their latest work, I can only comment on what I believe is their current approach. By ejecting meteoroids (using an ejection model they derived) over a period around perihelion and for many revolutions of the comet into the past, they try to derive the overall activity of the Leonid shower. This requires substantial computing power, but is probably the only way to approach the overall structure. The limitation in this method may be that it lacks adequate temporal and spatial resolution. One could liken this approach to a general geological survey of an area where sampling at coarse intervals can miss narrow dense veins. It may however be the case that the resolution is adequate to identify the dust trails, although the results presented by Brown el al. earlier this year do not confirm many of the dust trail predictions for the coming years. They do however predict the same time of maximum as the dust trail theory in 1999, although the nature of this prediction is unknown to me. Conclusion. Leonid storms are predictable from dust trail calculations based on the orbit of the parent comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. The ZHR predictions are limited by the lack of storm ZHR data, but the dust trail density model of McNaught and Asher (1999) is very consistent with data available. Asher, D.J. (1999) "The Leonid meteor storms of 1833 and 1966.", MNRAS, 307, 919-924 Brown, P. (1999) "The Leonid meteor shower: historical visual observations.", Icarus, 138, 287-308 Cooke, W. (1997) "Estimation of Meteoroid Flux for the Upcoming Leonid Stroms.", http://see.msfc.nasa.gov/see/mod/leonids.html Ferrin, I. (1999) "Meteor storm forcasting: Leonids 1999-2001.", Astron. Astrophys., 348, 295-299 Kondrat'eva, E.D. & Reznikov, E.A. (1985), "Comet Tempel-Tuttle and the Leonid meteor swarm.", Solar System Research, 199, 96-100 Kondrat'eva, E.D., Murav'eva, I.N. and Reznikov, E.A. (1997) "On the forthcoming return of the Leonid meteoric swarm.", Solar System Research, 31, 489-492 Lyytinen, E. (1999) "Leonid Predictions for the Years 1999-2007 with the Satellite Model of Comets.", Meta Research Bulletin, 31, 489-492 McNaught, R.H. (1999) "On predicting the time of Leonid storms.", The Astronomer, 35, 279-283 McNaught, R.H. & Asher, D.J. (1999a) "Leonid dust trails and meteor storms.", WGN, 27, 85-102 McNaught, R.H. & Asher, D.J. (1999b) "Variation of Leonid maximum times with location of observer.", Meteorit. Planet. Sci. (in press) Wu, Z. and Williams, I. P. (1996) "Leonid meteor storms", MNRAS, 280, 1210-1218 Yeomans, D.K. (1981) "Comet Tempel-Tuttle and the Leonid meteors", Icarus, 47, 492-499 ~ Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 12:48:18 -0600 From: "I.O.T.A." Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids Video I would like some general advice on making a scientifically useful video of the upcoming Leonids and other meteor showers. We have an image intensified video system that has two different wide angle lenses that we can use with it. One lens is a 135 with a field of view of ~10 degrees that reaches a magnitude of deeper than 9. The other lens is a variable from 28 to 70. The field of view is from around ~20 to ~40 degrees, limiting magnitude to be yet determined. We could image the Andromeda galaxy in town here in Topeka last night with it set at 70. We record in either S-VHS or regular VHS using very high quality tape and have GPS time insertion. Questions : Which lens would best for the showers? How large a field is optimal? Where is the best place to aim the system? It can and will be mounted on a driven scope. I tried to email these before but ran into delivery problems. I look forward to your answers. Craig McManus Researcher Instrument Specialist Kansas Flint Hills Obs. Complex Member IOTA, AAVSO iota@inlandnet.net Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 12:48:18 -0600 From: "I.O.T.A." Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids Video I would like some general advice on making a scientifically useful video of the upcoming Leonids and other meteor showers. We have an image intensified video system that has two different wide angle lenses that we can use with it. One lens is a 135 with a field of view of ~10 degrees that reaches a magnitude of deeper than 9. The other lens is a variable from 28 to 70. The field of view is from around ~20 to ~40 degrees, limiting magnitude to be yet determined. We could image the Andromeda galaxy in town here in Topeka last night with it set at 70. We record in either S-VHS or regular VHS using very high quality tape and have GPS time insertion. Questions : Which lens would best for the showers? How large a field is optimal? Where is the best place to aim the system? It can and will be mounted on a driven scope. I tried to email these before but ran into delivery problems. I look forward to your answers. Craig McManus Researcher Instrument Specialist Kansas Flint Hills Obs. Complex Member IOTA, AAVSO iota@inlandnet.net Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 16:36:59 GMT From: David Asher Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids: update to WGN 27, 85-102 Note to readers: if you do not have access to reference [1], please skip sections that are incomprehensible without it. Things such as the Table 3 predictions should be clear by themselves. Last modified 1999 Nov 9 LEONID DUST TRAILS AND METEOR STORMS: UPDATE R.H. McNaught and D.J. Asher ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- In WGN 27, 85-102 (1999), details of the Earth's encounters with Leonid dust trails were presented. Moderately close encounters will lead to substantial meteor outbursts during the 1999 and perhaps the 2000 Leonids, while even closer encounters will produce storm level activity in 2001 and 2002. Here we summarise the predictions of the dust trail model for 1999 and the following few years, for the last time before observations of the 1999 Leonids afford the first test of these predictions. The updated analysis here is a little more comprehensive than presented previously. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Introduction The highest ZHR Leonid storms of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as many other sharp outbursts, have occurred when the Earth encountered a young dust trail within the Leonid stream. Such a trail is generated every 33 years or so when Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle returns to perihelion. Each trail progressively lengthens while remaining narrow and dense (density dilution being due to lengthening alone, not broadening) until it is scattered into the Leonid background after a few centuries. Readers should refer to [1] for further details. The predictive power of the dust trail theory is demonstrated by the following facts. Storms and outbursts over the past 200 years that correspond to the Earth's encounter with a given young dust trail have the calculated peak times (i.e., based on the centre of the Earth reaching the calculated nodal longitude of the trail) and the observed peak times matching to 10 minutes or less [1], in cases where the observed peak is known to better than that accuracy. A topocentric correction improves the match even further [2]. Data from the past 200 years now indicate that close encounters are predictable with an uncertainty of 5 minutes. The peak time of the 1998 Draconid outburst [3] was predicted equally accurately by Reznikov [4] using the same form of dust trail calculations. Moreover, Leonid timings relating to what we term young trail encounters have been independently confirmed by the Russian group that includes Reznikov [5,6] and by Lyytinen [7]. See [6] for references by the same authors describing work on other streams. 2. Update In [1], a desire to avoid excessive effort led us to make our calculations comprehensive (covering the past 200 years) only for trails 6 or less revolutions old; three encounters with slightly older trails were considered as special cases. Also an error in the calculations caused very small inaccuracies (less than 0.0001 AU) in the determination of trails' nodal distances. Now we provide an updated list of encounters (covering the next few years only, these being of greatest interest for meteor observers) for trails up to 9 revolutions old. Changes to the ZHR fit due to the error are not substantial but a new fit is done. Table 1 shows the data for past trail encounters. The only corrections to the entries in Tables 2 and 3 of [1] are in r_E-r_D. Reference [1] can be consulted for more details, but in summary, the strength of an outburst is affected by Delta a_0 (which effectively corresponds to the ejection velocity, this in turn being related to the mass distribution), r_E-r_D (the miss distance of the Earth from the trail node) and f_M (which measures the change in density due to trail lengthening). Table 2 is for encounters over the next few years (cf. Table 5 of [1]). Roughly, f_M is expected to be inversely related to the age of the trail, but for example, the value for the part of the 9-rev trail that is encountered in 2001 shows that gravitational perturbations can cause deviations from this simplistic relationship, after a few revolutions. Table 1 - Past trail encounters Observed Calculated Year Trail Node Delta a_0 r_E-r_D f_M ZHR/f_M ZHR/f_M (J2000) (AU) (AU) 1966 2-rev 235.158 +0.168 -0.00013 0.52 170,000 100,000 1833 1-rev 233.184 +0.174 -0.00021 0.95 63,000 76,000 1866 4-rev 233.333 +0.059 -0.00029 0.37 22,000 22,000 1867 1-rev 233.420 +0.373 -0.00014 1.00 4,500 4,600 1869 3-rev 233.536 +0.320 -0.00047 0.44 2,300 2,200 1969 1-rev 235.272 +0.934 -0.00004 0.95 - - Table 2 - Future trail encounters Year Trail Node Delta a_0 r_E-r_D f_M (J2000) (AU) (AU) 1999 3-rev 235.291 +0.138 -0.00066 0.38 2000 8-rev 236.103 +0.064 +0.00076 0.27 2000 4-rev 236.276 +0.114 +0.00077 0.13 2001 7-rev 236.114 +0.081 -0.00043 ~0.14 2001 9-rev 236.429 +0.041 +0.00015 0.43 2001 4-rev 236.463 +0.142 +0.00022 0.13 2002 7-rev 236.610 +0.113 -0.00015 0.13 2002 4-rev 236.888 +0.172 -0.00005 0.15 2006 2-rev 236.615 +0.961 -0.00009 0.53 A model in which ZHR/f_M (ZHR being the observed peak ZHR in past encounters) is fitted as a function of Delta a_0 and r_E-r_D, as described in [1], is done, and applied to the future years. The five storm years in Table 1 (1969 excluded) are used in the fit, to interpolate ZHR estimates for 1999-2002. It is inappropriate to apply exactly the same model to very different values of Delta a_0 and so 1969 alone is used to predict 2006 alone. The predictions are in Table 3 (cf. Table 6 of [1]). Only the fit centred at r_D (cf. Tables 4 and 9 of [1]) is given, the formal uncertainty in the fit being 20%. Whilst the overall fit is reasonable, there is now a discrepancy between the calculated ZHR values for 1833 and 1966. For 1966 the calculated ZHR is 53,000. Despite the uncertainty in the observed ZHR in 1966, it is probably one of the more reliable data points used in the fit and 1833 the least reliable. In 1999, the formal ZHR prediction is 500 and this appears fairly robust, regardless of whether the 1833, 1966 or both are used in the fit, but values 200 < ZHR < 2000 give a reasonable fit. Table 3 - Predictions Time (UT) Trail Estimated Moon Visible from ZHR age 1999 Nov 18, 02:08 3-rev 500 10 Africa, Europe 2000 Nov 18, 03:44 8-rev 30? 22 W. Africa, W. Europe, NE S. America 2000 Nov 18, 07:51 4-rev 20? 22 N. America, Central America & NW S. America 2001 Nov 18, 10:01 7-rev 1,500? 3 N. & Central America 2001 Nov 18, 17:31 9-rev 15,000 3 Australia, E. Asia 2001 Nov 18, 18:19 4-rev 15,000 3 W. Australia, E., SE & Central Asia 2002 Nov 19, 04:00 7-rev 15,000 15 W. Africa, W. Europe, N. Canada, NE S. America 2002 Nov 19, 10:36 4-rev 25,000 15 N. America 2006 Nov 19, 04:45 2-rev 100 28 W. Europe, W. Africa Figures 1 and 2 are the visibility maps that are not in [8]. Note that in these figures, the Moon's phase is displayed as seen from the southern hemisphere. Figure 1 (See http://www.atnf.csiro.au/asa_www/images/2001csl.gif [15Kb]) Figure 2 (See http://www.atnf.csiro.au/asa_www/images/2002bsl.gif [15Kb]) 3. Discussion Revised values of the nodal distance required a reassessment of the ZHR predictions from the dust trail density model. Overall, the rates have not changed substantially, although the uncertainty in the fit has increased. For 1999, the predicted ZHR for the 3-rev dust trail encounter is probably of the order of 500. This value requires some elaboration. Activity from this dust trail will be additional to background activity, which could itself have a ZHR in the hundreds. Thus, the observed ZHR at the time of the peak will probably lie in the range 500-1000, if the dust trail contributes a ZHR of 500. This value is entirely consistent with past data, given that there are uncertainties in the past peak ZHRs used in the fit, and different fits can be done (cf. [1]) centred on slightly different values of r_D. Given that some older trails have been demonstrated to be capable of delivering high rates (e.g. the 9-rev trail of high f_M in 2001), it will be necessary to check that for the years of the storm data used in the ZHR fit, no additional old dust trails were contaminating the ZHR. In future analyses, we shall also remove the background component from the peak ZHRs, to more truly represent the contribution of the dust trails alone. One interesting change to the ZHR fit, is that the predicted ZHR in 1801 from the 2-rev trail is now 300. This is much smaller than our original predictions that suggested a minor storm had occurred. Thus, this potential anomaly of an unobserved storm in the last 200 years over western Europe, is no longer a problem. A short lived peak ZHR of around 300 would probably not have attracted much attention in those years. However, we are aware of no data that refute the possibility of a storm in that year. There are no additional encounters with trails up to 19 revolutions old in 1999; therefore, unpredicted high activity is unlikely. There appear to be no other encounters of significance in the following years up to this age, although in 2001, an encounter with a disrupted 10-rev trail of uncertain density could produce a peak ZHR of around 1,000 on Nov 18, 18:01 UT. Although the disrupted nature of this section of the 10-rev trail makes this time unreliable (pending more detailed simulations), it appears to be during the 48 minute gap between the stronger encounters. These three encounters in close succession, with no interference from the Moon, suggest the highest observable rates will occur in 2001, although the ZHR in 2002 is likely to be higher. For the 3-rev trail encounter in 1999, the time of maximum is predicted to be at Nov 18 02:08 UT in the Mediterranean region, with an uncertainty of around 5 minutes. The time of maximum is dependent on location [2], with the peak predicted at 01:58 in South Africa and 02:14 in northern Scandanavia. The dust trail model does not make any prediction about the time or intensity of the background activity maximum, but in the past 200 years the highest Leonid rates outside young dust trail encounters, can approach a ZHR of 500. Further information is available in [9]. References [1] R.H. McNaught, D.J. Asher, `Leonid dust trails and meteor storms.' WGN 27, 1999, pp. 85-102. [2] R.H. McNaught, D.J. Asher, `Variation of Leonid maximum times with location of observer.' Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 34, 1999, pp. 975-978. [3] R. Arlt, `Bulletin 13 of the International Leonid Watch: The 1998 Leonid meteor shower.' WGN 26, 1998, pp. 239-248. [4] E.A. Reznikov, `The Giacobini-Zinner Comet and Giacobinid meteor stream.' Trudy Kazan. Gor. Astron. Obs. 53, 1993, pp. 80-101 (in Russian). See also IMO-News mailing list, 1998 Sept 9. [5] E.D. Kondrat'eva, E.A. Reznikov, `Comet Tempel-Tuttle and the Leonid meteor swarm.' Sol. Syst. Res. 19, 1985, pp. 96-101. [6] E.D. Kondrat'eva, I.N. Murav'eva, E.A. Reznikov, `On the forthcoming return of the Leonid meteoric swarm.' Sol. Syst. Res. 31, 1997, pp. 489-492. [7] E. Lyytinen, `Leonid predictions for the years 1999-2007 with the satellite model of comets.' Meta Res. Bull. 8, 1999, pp. 33-40. [8] R.H. McNaught, `Visibility of Leonid showers in 1999-2006 and 2034.' WGN 27, 1999, pp. 164-171. [9] Armagh Observatory Leonid WWW pages are http://www.arm.ac.uk/leonid/ and general notes for the public are at http://www.atnf.csiro.au/asa_www/leonids.html Acknowledgments DJA thanks Esko Lyytinen for extremely valuable discussions on this work. Authors' addresses Robert H. McNaught, Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW 2357, Australia (rmn@aaocbn.aao.gov.au) David Asher, Armagh Observatory, College Hill, Armagh, BT61 9DG, N. Ireland, UK (dja@star.arm.ac.uk) Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 23:05:26 +0900 From: Kazuhiro_Suzuki Subject: [IMO-News] HRO Today in Japan(Nov.10) HRO Today in Japan Nov.10, 1999 Radio Meteor Data from Japan //////////////////////////////////////////////////// Kazuhiro Suzuki, E-mail: kazuhiro@suzuki.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm "Radio Meteor Data, JAPAN" //////////////////////////////////////////////////// Observer: Kazuhiro Suzuki HRO (Forward-scattered Radio Meteor Observation using HAM) Location: Toyokawa Meteor Observatory (137.32 deg E, 34.81 deg N) Toyokawa-city, Aichi, 442-0845, JAPAN Transmitter: JA9YDB 53.7500 MHz, CW 50 W operated by K.Maegawa Antenna: Dipole (height 7 m, to zenith) Receiver: IC-575 (ICOM) LSB BW 2.5 kHz Transmitter location: Sabae (in Fukui pref.), about 150 km north north-west from receiving station. Method of echo sampling: After image procedure was done by PC with FFT software, echoes(>10 dB(S/N)) were counted. LT 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 UT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23/00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ November, 1999 1/ 21 32 25 25 32 24 31 33 31 25 23 15 18 13 17 15 15 16@16 Es Es Es Es Es 1 1 2/ 23 19 23 30 29 20 20 26 23 22 25 21 17 13@18 13 14 14@14 11 17 17 16@17 1 1 1 1 3/ 26 42 34 28 46 47 39 23 29@29@22 Es Es Es@18 Es Es Es 13 15 20 22 20@17 1 1 1 1 4/ 30 33 46 42 35 40 32 31 27 31 29 17 24 22 19 Es Es@14@16 --@19 21 25@19 1 1 1 5/ 23 34 49 57 39 48 39 36 40 33 31 29 26 13 19 Es Es Es 14 23 17@24 Es@18 1 1 2 1 6/ 33 34 46 34 36 30 34@31 27 30 29 25 27 Es@20@18 Es Es Es 18@18 Es@16@21 1 2 2 1 1 2 7/ 17 34 34 31 42 34 30 42 24 28 29 21 18 18 16 15 16 IF 16 17 27 30 24@18 1 1 1 8/ 24 21 36 41 36 23 26 26 20 26 IF IF Es@24 20 16 IF IF IF@13 15 IF IF IF 1 1 2 1 9/ 20 35 33 39 34 30 28@27@33 30 26 29 32 21 17 21 18 20@14 18 21 31 22@19 1 1 2 2 1 10/ 25 32 42 33 35 30 41 34 40 26 33 29 31 36 Es@18 21 17 15 21 1 1 2 1 1 ------------------------------------------------------ @symbol means corrected hourly rate. Es symbol means interruption by Sporadic E layer. IF symbol means interference by foreign broadcasting. up/middle/down : hourly rate of all echoes / hourly rate of long(> 20 sec.) echoes/dead time rate(%) caused by persistent echoes Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 09:59:09 -0800 From: Glenn E Peterson Subject: [IMO-News] 1999 Leonids Dear members of the IMO, The Aerospace Corporation is providing a website devoted to Leonid meteor reporting during next week's event (www.leonidstorm.com). Our site will display plots of activity for the various contributors from around the globe. We currently have amateurs from the Middle East, UK, Europe, and the US, and professionals from The Aerospace Corporation, NASA MSFC and NASA Ames. We're getting a good geographic distribution so far, but would certainly like to have IMO members on board. If you are interested in participating, you can register directly at the website or you can email me the following information and I will register you in the database: Name: Organization: Location: (Nearest city, State/Province, Country, Region) Approximate latitue/longitude: Observation type: (Raw Visual Counts, Raw Radar Counts, Zenith Hourly Rate, Flux) Email Address: The website registration is located at: http://www.leonidstorm.com/cgi-bin/regtool.cgi Thanks in advance for your consideration, Glenn Peterson Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 21:35:36 +0100 (MET) From: Sirko Molau Subject: [IMO-News] Re: Leonids Video Hello Craig, > Questions : Which lens would best for the showers? > How large a field is optimal? that depends mainly what you intend to do with your video observations. Wide angle systems give usually the most 'impressive' video recordings since you record on average brighter meteors. However, the spatial resolution is not as good as for a normal or tele system. So, if you want to obtain the radiant position or do double station observations, a smaller field of view is preferable. In this year we expect much more fainter meteors than in 1998, which is another reason to give priority to a good limiting magnitude. This is why I would suggest to use a normal or moderate tele lens, for example a fast 50 mm lens. A field of view of 20 deg with limiting magnitudes of 8 to 9 mag for stars should be ok. > Where is the best place to aim the system? You should neither look directly at the radiant (pointlike meteors are hard to detect) nor too far away from it (long & fast meteor trails). A fov some 30..40 deg west of the radiant is probably a good choice. > It can and will be mounted on a driven scope. For three reasons I will not do so with my own camera: * the mounting need to be accurately aligned with the pole to prevent drifting stars, which my meteor detection software would have difficulties to cope with * not to drive your camera means that you always look at the same volume atmosphere under identical conditions (extinction, etc), which should make it easier to derive flux rates from the counts * you do automatically observe meteors in different positions around the radiant, which gives a better radiant plot from single station data Best regards, Sirko Molau ---------------------------------------- Sirko Molau -- Video Commission Director International Meteor Organization e-mail: video@imo.net WWW : http://www.imo.net/video ---------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 06:33:37 +0000 From: Alfredo Pereira Subject: [IMO-News] Results of watch for meteors associated with C/1999 J3 -- Results of watch for meteors associated with C/1999 J3 (LINEAR): 1999 November 10-11, Period: 0356-0508 UT Effective watch time: 1h 01m. Sky clear. F=1.0 Field centre: Azimuth 350 deg. Altitude 75 deg. Average Lm by star counts on three occasions during the watch, using IMO areas 17 and 20, yields Lm=6.04 NO meteor was seen that could be considered a Linearid candidate. Magnitude distribution of observed meteors: Mag. +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 total ================================ TAU 1 0 1 0 2 4 SPO 0 0 1 0 2 3 -------------------------------- total 1 0 2 0 4 7 Observer PERAF = Alfredo Pereira Cabo da Roca, Portugal (Lat. 38d 46' 52.1" N Lon. 9d 28' 33.4" W Alt. 235m) Cheers, Alfredo Pereira apereira@fc.ul.pt http://correio.cc.fc.ul.pt/~apereira [Comet Observers' Forum] -- Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 17:47:32 +0100 (MET) From: "Marc.Gyssens" Subject: [IMO-News] IMO - 1999 Leonids - Rapid Info Dissemination - Call for Collaboration I N T E R N A T I O N A L M E T E O R O R G A N I Z A T I O N 1999 Leonids: Rapid Information Dissemination ============================================= Dear meteor observer, >From earlier communications, you have learned that the IMO is setting up a communication network to obtain reliable information as soon as possible after the event in the morning of November 18. We invite you to contribute to this effort. First of all, we want to point out you must DISTINGUISH between the USUAL OBSERVATIONAL REPORTS, such as collected by the IMO's Visual Commission, and which may be used for detailed, global analyses, and the "EXPRESS REPORT" described below which serves as sole purpose the compilation of a rough but reliable picture of the activity within hours after the event. The EXPRESS REPORT should have the following format: Meteo R. Observer Fireball City (45N 10E) Time Interval (UT) Lim. Magn. Nr. of Leonids Remarks (if any) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 01:15-01:30 5.8 27 None 01:30-01:45 5.9 56 None 01:45-02:00 6.1 156 None . . . To the extent possible, bin your observations for this "express report" in time interval of 15 MINUTES. (Again, the full report of your observations will be different from this express report, as shorter intervals are required as well as magnitude distributions and some additional data - see the earlier posted article with visual observing hints - but the above data suffice for the purpose indicated.) If you wish to collaborate with the IMO in this respect, please send your express report for the night of November 17/18 ONLY (or, of course, for any unexpected activity you might happen to witness) *** IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE OBSERVATION *** to the following email addresses: wgn@imo.net gyssens@hcoss.uia.ac.be The latter is a back-up address in case Web-site access to www.imo.net would prove to slow down our computer too much. This back-up address will be active only on November 17 and 18! Thank you in advance for any collaboration we may receive! Marc Gyssens International Meteor Organization Date: Tue, 09 Nov 1999 01:51:44 +0100 From: Casper ter Kuile Subject: [IMO-News] DMS-mirrorsite for US visitors Hi all, The Dutch Meteor Society is proud to announce to have setup a mirrorsite for all US visitors of our DMS-website. http://members.xoom.com/dmswebsite/index.html We expect heavy traffic to our main DMS website which is why we ask our visitors in the US to use the above URL rather then the main one located in the Netherlands. You will enjoy faster access and there will be less chance the website going down because of overloading. Of course we will do our utmost best to maintain all three DMS-websites simultaniously during the upcoming Leonids. As most of you know in the next two weeks we will be on the way somewhere in Europa in our never ending search for a clear view on the nightsky and thus to the Leonids. All our DMS-teams are equipped with state-of-the-art communication technology consisting of mobile power generators, laptops and GSM mobile phones. Don't be afraid: anytime and everywhere we will have the opportunity to supply you with the lastest information concerning our observations of the Leonids. So please stay tuned with the Leonids '99 Expedition of the observing teams of the Dutch Meteor Society. Thank you! Main URL: http://www.dmsweb.org US mirror: http://members.xoom.com/dmswebsite/index.html Europe mirror: http://home.wanadoo.nl/dms/index.html All members of Dutch Meteor Society whishes everybody fine observations and lots of Leonids! Casper. Casper ter Kuile, Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) Akker 145, NL-3732 XD, De Bilt, The Netherlands Tel. +(31)-30-2203170, Fax. +(31)-30-2202695 GSM-BEN: +(31)-6-24242445, GSM-KPN: +(31)-6-53270844 E-mail_1: pegasoft@accu.uu.nl E-mail_2: dms-web@wxs.nl E-mail_3: webmaster@dmsweb.org DMS website: http://www.dmsweb.org Mirrorsite: http://home.wanadoo.nl/dms Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1999 03:24:49 +0100 From: Rosta Stork Subject: [IMO-News] Linearids from Ondrejov radar Dear colleagues, on http://sunkl.asu.cas.cz/~stork/linearids.html you can find first results from Linearids observations by Ondrejov backscatter radar. Small activity of faint, short meteors detected. Petr Pridal Rosta Stork Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1999 04:41:43 +0000 From: Alfredo Pereira Subject: [IMO-News] Further meteor watch results -- Further results of watch for meteors associated with C/1999 J3 (LINEAR): 1999 November 11-12, Period: 0225-0325 UT. Effective watch time: 1h 00m Sky clear. F=1.0 Field centre: Azimuth 350 deg. Altitude 75 deg. Average Lm by star counts using IMO areas 17 and 20, yields Lm=6.05 NO meteor was seen that could be considered a Linearid candidate. Magnitude distribution of observed meteors: Mag. 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 total ==================================== TAU 1 0 2 1 3 1 8 SPO 1 0 1 1 3 2 8 ------------------------------------ total 2 0 3 2 6 3 16 Observer PERAF = Alfredo Pereira Cabo da Roca, Portugal (Lat. 38d 46' 52.1" N Lon. 9d 28' 33.4" W Alt. 235m) Cheers, Alfredo Pereira apereira@fc.ul.pt http://correio.cc.fc.ul.pt/~apereira [Comet Observers' Forum] -- Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1999 06:32:05 +0000 From: Alfredo Pereira Subject: [IMO-News] Results of telescopic watch for C/1999 J3 meteors -- Whilst sending my visual results I saw the mail with Ondrejov radar results, and I still had time for a short additional watch using 14x100B's. I had to spend time dark adapting again, and dawn was approaching, so I could not achieve a longer watch period, still my negative result shows that any substantial Linearid activity at this moment must be of very faint telescopic meteors (below visual mag +9). 14x100 binoculars; field 3.5 degrees Limiting magnitude about 12.1-12.5 Field: R.A.=13h 20m Dec.=+86d 30' (J2000.0) Interval: 0518-0603 UT. Effective time: 30 minutes Observed meteors: 1 probable TAU (mag 7) and 1 SPO (mag 9.5) Observer PERAF = Alfredo Pereira Cabo da Roca, Portugal (Lat. 38d 46' 52.1" N Lon. 9d 28' 33.4" W Alt. 235m) Cheers, Alfredo Pereira apereira@fc.ul.pt http://correio.cc.fc.ul.pt/~apereira [Comet Observers' Forum] -- Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1999 9:39:43 MET From: Juergen Rendtel Subject: [IMO-News] meteors associated with C/1999J3 Dear meteor observers, I observed visually on Nov 11, between 19:10 and 20:15 UT. Among the 8 meteors is 1 candidate for the "Linearids". Furthermore, my automated video camera worked all night (16:45 UT - 05:00 UT), but I have not yet checked the data. However, the number of total meteors was not unusual. (Location: 52.5 deg N, 12.9 deg E, expected radiant above the horizon all time) Juergen Rendtel -- ************************************************************************ Juergen Rendtel Astrophysical Institute Potsdam jrendtel@aip.de Telegrafenberg A 27 Phone: (+49) 331 - 288 2327 (office) 14473 Potsdam, Germany Fax: (+49) 331 - 288 2310 http://aipsoe.aip.de/~rend/rnl-p.html International Meteor Organization Phone: (+49) 33208 - 50753 (priv.) Seestr.6, 14476 Marquardt, Germany ************************************************************************ Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1999 16:45:26 +0100 (MET) From: Rainer Arlt Subject: [IMO-News] IMO Shower Circ. LINEARIDS ------------------------------------- I M O S h o w e r C i r c u l a r ------------------------------------- Possible Activity from Comet C/1999 J3 LINEAR A slight chance of meteor shower activity caused by debris from Comet C/1999 J3 (LINEAR) encouraged quite a few observers to check for meteors from a radiant position near alpha=175deg, delta=+53deg as predicted from the orbit of the Comet. No activity outburst occurred. The below list of individual ZHR values indicates weak activity all day on November 9, 1999, and in the evening hours of November 11 near the passage of the node of the comet's orbit. On several occasions the radiant elevation was too low for a sensible ZHR value. Due to possible contamination by sporadic background activity, the activity cannot be reliably associated with particles from the Comet. Radar records from Ondrejov, Czech Republic, indicate enhanced activity between 21h and at least 3h UT on November 11/12 comared with the day before (see http://sunkl.asu.cas.cz/~stork/linearids.html). The activity is associated with faint meteors, possibly beyond the visual range. No clear enhancement appears in the forward scatter data by Kazuhiro Sizuki (see http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/data/htyk9911.htm). ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date Period UT LM LIN nonLIN hR ZHR Observer ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nov 08 1335-1415 6.0 2 3 4 - Qi Rui (China) Nov 08 1441-1528 6.0 0 6 0 Qi Rui (China) Nov 08 1620-1750 6.0 3 15 18 9 Qi Rui (China) Nov 08 1830-2027 6.0 0 14 0 Qi Rui (China) Nov 09 0330-0430 5.1 0 3 0 Peter Detterline (USA) Nov 09 0746-0846 5.6 1 8 38 3 Peter Detterline (USA) Nov 09 0846-0946 5.4 1 7 48 5 Peter Detterline (USA) Nov 09 2220-2321 5.8 2 10 22 9 Alastair McBeath (UK) Nov 09 2322-0022 5.8 2 10 26 8 Alastair McBeath (UK) Nov 10 0022-0122 5.8 2 12 31 7 Alastair McBeath (UK) Nov 10 0123-0228 5.8 0 18 0 Alastair McBeath (UK) Nov 10 0655-0755 5.1 0 8 0 Mark Davis (USA) Nov 10 0755-0855 5.2 0 8 32 0 Mark Davis (USA) Nov 10 0855-0955 5.3 0 8 0 Mark Davis (USA) Nov 10 1830-1900 4.0 0 3 17 0 C.L. Chan (Hong Kong) Nov 10 2200-0000 6.0 (3) 8 - Ulhas Deshpande et al. (India) Nov 11 0001-0107 5.7 0 12 21 0 Joseph Zammit (Malta) Nov 10 2323-0423 5.9 7 55 32 4 Martin Galea (Malta) Nov 11 0257-0424 6.0 2 17 48 3 Joseph Zammit (Malta) Nov 11 0356-0508 6.0 0 7 44 0 Alfredo Pereira (Portugal) Nov 11 0330-0715 5.8 1 9 ~0 - Mike Linnolt (USA) Nov 11 0701-0801 5.3 0 7 0 Mark Davis (USA) Nov 11 0801-0921 5.4 0 10 0 Mark Davis (USA) Nov 11 1845-1913 5.8 0 2 0 Qi Rui (China) Nov 11 1900-2000 - 0 19 0 Peter Zimnikoval et al. (Slovakia) Nov 11 1910-2015 6.1 1 7 15 5 Jurgen Rendtel (Germany) Nov 11 1913-2014 5.8 1 12 40 3 Qi Rui (China) Nov 11 1900-2100 4.8 0 5 2 - J. Marques, R. Afonso (Portugal) Nov 11 1900-2115 5.9 0 14 15 0 Frank Enzlein (Germany) Nov 11 1900-2130 5.8 0 15 15 0 Nikolai Wuensche (Germany) Nov 11 2115-2130 5.8 1 5 55 10 Qi Rui (China) Nov 11 2200-2300 6.0 (5) 8 - Ulhas Deshpande et al. (India) Nov 12 0022-0320 6.0 2 33 32 2 Umberto Mule Stagno (Malta) Nov 12 0020-0324 5.8 2 41 33 2 Joseph Zammit (Malta) Nov 12 0020-0340 5.9 3 39 34 3 Martin Galea (Malta) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I would like to thank all the above observers for their efforts and swift reports, and I hope I did not overlook any message in this busy time before the Leonids. Rainer Arlt, 1999 November 13 ----------------------------- NOTE: The WWW server of the IMO is down, probably until Monday, for unknown reasons. Its site is alarm secured and cannot be accessed before Monday. Please apologize for the inconvenience. IMO-news messages should be directly sent to the distributing server at: imo-news@eGroups.com Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1999 11:14:49 -0500 From: Jim Richardson Subject: [IMO-News] AMS Leonids '99 Updates WWW page Hello colleagues, Throughout the upcoming week, the American Meteor Society (AMS) will be maintaining a Leonids '99 Update page at the AMS web site, located at: http://www.amsmeteors.org/leo99update.html The purpose of this page is to provide a narrative description, along with eyewitness accounts, of the 1999 Leonid meteor shower as compiled from reports received by the AMS and our affiliate group, the North American Meteor Network (NAMN). We are designing this page to act as a compliment to the reporting efforts and analysis of the International Meteor Organization (IMO), Dutch Meteor Society (DMS), and other related groups. Although observed hourly rates and shower characteristics will be given, we do not intend to offer a detailed analysis or ZHR profile (leaving this to the other groups). Instead, we intend to compile a historical record of selected anecdotal accounts and personal impressions of the 1999 Leonids. Many of the accounts included on this page will undoubtedly come from the MeteorObs mailing list, but we would *greatly* appreciate receiving reports from all of the various professional and amateur Leonid expeditions worldwide. If you would like to send us a narrative account of your personal Leonid experience, in addition to the scientific data collection which you are doing, I can receive your reports at the below email address: Jim Richardson Selected narratives will be posted on the AMS web site as quickly as possible, in addition to commentary on the overall shower activity, with a final edited collection of Leonid accounts to appear in the next issue of the AMS journal, Meteor Trails. This was done with good success last year, and it is hoped that these historical narratives will prove to be a enjoyable companion to the numerous scientific studies being performed. Best regards, Jim James Richardson Department of Physics Florida State University (FSU) Operations Manager American Meteor Society (AMS) http://www.amsmeteors.org Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 14:20:41 +0900 From: Kazuhiro_Suzuki Subject: [IMO-News] HRO Today, Japan, 11/14 HRO Today, Japan Nov.14, 1999 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// HRO (Forward-scattered Radio Meteor Observation using HAM) Data from Japan by Kazuhiro Suzuki, E-mail: kazuhiro@suzuki.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm "Radio Meteor Data, JAPAN" /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Observer: Kazuhiro Suzuki Location: Toyokawa Meteor Observatory (137.32 deg E, 34.81 deg N) Toyokawa-city, Aichi, 442-0845, JAPAN Transmitter: JA9YDB 53.7500 MHz, CW 50 W operated by Mr. Kimio Maegawa(Fukui National College of Technology) Receiver: IC-575 (ICOM) LSB BW 2.5 kHz Antenna: Dipole (height 7 m, to zenith) Transmitter location: Sabae (in Fukui pref.), about 150 km north north-west from receiving station. Method of echo sampling: After image procedure by PC with FFT software, echoes(>10 dB(S/N)) were counted. LT 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 UT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------- November,1999 9/ 20 35 33 39 34 30 28@27@33 30 26 29 32 21 17 21 18 20@14 18 21 31 22@19 1 1 2 2 1 10/ 25 32 42 33 35 30 41 34 40 26 33 29 31 36 Es@18 21 17 15 21@18 25 26@23 1 1 2 1 1 11/ 17 37 48 41 39 35 46 30 47 46 41 29@18 IF IF IF IF IF IF IF@19 IF IF@15 1 2 1 12/ 20 39 31 35 36 34 31 34 27 23 28 28 30 23 20 IF@15@16 IF IF@14 IF@18@17 1 1 1 1 13/ 18 35 36 37 26 23 22 32 29 29 32 25 Es Es@19 17 22 17 16 19 26@21 26@23 1 1 1 1 1 14/ 25 39 45 31 31 31 38 28 40@29 IF 26 25 1 1 1 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------ @symbol means corrected hourly rate. Es symbol means interruption by Sporadic E layer. IF symbol means interference by foreign broadcasting. up/middle/down : hourly rate of all echoes / hourly rate of long(> 20 sec.) echoes/dead time rate(%) caused by persistent echoes Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 21:16:00 +0900 From: Kazuhiro_Suzuki Subject: [IMO-News] HRO Today, Japan, 11/15 HRO Today, Japan Nov.15, 1999 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// HRO (Forward-scattered Radio Meteor Observation using HAM) Data from Japan by Kazuhiro Suzuki, E-mail: kazuhiro@suzuki.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm "Radio Meteor Data, JAPAN" /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Observer: Kazuhiro Suzuki Location: Toyokawa Meteor Observatory (137.32 deg E, 34.81 deg N) Toyokawa-city, Aichi, 442-0845, JAPAN Transmitter: JA9YDB 53.7500 MHz, CW 50 W operated by Mr. Kimio Maegawa(Fukui National College of Technology) Receiver: IC-575 (ICOM) LSB BW 2.5 kHz Antenna: Dipole (height 7 m, to zenith) Transmitter location: Sabae (in Fukui pref.), about 150 km north north-west from receiving station. Method of echo sampling: After image procedure by PC with FFT software, echoes(>10 dB(S/N)) were counted. LT 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 UT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------- November,1999 11/ 17 37 48 41 39 35 46 30 47 46 41 29@18 IF IF IF IF IF IF IF@19 IF IF@15 1 2 1 12/ 20 39 31 35 36 34 31 34 27 23 28 28 30 23 20 IF@15@16 IF IF@14 IF@18@17 1 1 1 1 13/ 18 35 36 37 26 23 22 32 29 29 32 25 Es Es@19 17 22 17 16 19 26@21 26@23 1 1 1 1 1 14/ 25 39 45 31 31 31 38 28 40@29 IF 26 25 IF IF 14 17 IF IF IF IF@25 24@27 1 1 1 1 15/ 30 32 38 40 49 32@38 35 38@34@24 32 30 28 28 21 17 16 1 1 1 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------ @symbol means corrected hourly rate. Es symbol means interruption by Sporadic E layer. IF symbol means interference by foreign broadcasting. up/middle/down : hourly rate of all echoes / hourly rate of long(> 20 sec.) echoes/dead time rate(%) caused by persistent echoes Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 20:14:57 +0100 (MET) From: Felix Bettonvil Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids from La Palma >From the Canary Island of La Palma observers from the Dutch NVWS Meteor Section do obtain visual observations as well as photographic and video since November 11. Information about the visual results can be found at www.astro.uu.nl/~bettonvl. Best Regards, Felix Bettonvil Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 15:22:34 -0500 From: Lew Gramer & Karen Simmons Subject: [IMO-News] Florida Leonids, 14/15 Nov 1999 I began my 1999 Leonids campaign with a peaceful, lovely 3.9 hour Teff observing session last night. Highlight of the night was my first Leonid of the historic 1999 Leonids, at 6:15UT. A tiny mag 5 ziffer, but I was thrilled nonetheless. :) Long Key State Park continues to be a dark, serene, natural place to observe from, though I noted with alarm on the trip down that a rapid growth of new high-end tourist hotels has sprung up just in the last year... Perhaps very soon LKSP may cease to be dark? :( The Florida Video Team of this year's NASA/Marshall Space FLight Center Leonids Campaign seems to have all equipment well in hand, and I believe they will be ready to begin data gathering tonight. Here's my summary for the night: I'll try to make similar reports as the week progresses, though between observing, transcribing and sleep (in that order of importance), my time may get limited! 14/15 Nov 1999, Lew Gramer GRALE, Location: 24:49:01 N, 80:49:12 W Per Start End CFV Teff LM F LEO AMO NTA STA Tau Spor TOTAL 1 3:30 4:50 04h+15 1.01 7.46 1.00 0 0 3 1 2 14 20 2 4:51 6:05 04h+15 1.02 7.43 1.00 0 3 2 4 2 12 23 3 6:06 7:15 05h+15 1.02 7.46 1.00 2 2 4 3 2 19 32 4 7:16 8:10 05h+15 0.84 7.50 1.00 6 2 0 1 4 9 22 TOTALS 3.88 7.46 1.00 8 7 9 9 10 56 99 Average Magnitudes 4.19 4.79 3.17 3.44 4.10 4.15 4.04 Take care all, and clear skies from the Florida Keys! Lew Gramer Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 21:34:21 +0900 From: Kazuhiro_Suzuki Subject: [IMO-News] HRO Today, Japan, 11/16 HRO Today, Japan Nov.16, 1999 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// HRO (Forward-scattered Radio Meteor Observation using HAM) Data from Japan by Kazuhiro Suzuki, E-mail: kazuhiro@suzuki.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm "Radio Meteor Data, JAPAN" /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Observer: Kazuhiro Suzuki Location: Toyokawa Meteor Observatory (137.32 deg E, 34.81 deg N) Toyokawa-city, Aichi, 442-0845, JAPAN Transmitter: JA9YDB 53.7500 MHz, CW 50 W operated by Mr. Kimio Maegawa(Fukui National College of Technology) Receiver: IC-575 (ICOM) LSB BW 2.5 kHz Antenna: Dipole (height 7 m, to zenith) Transmitter location: Sabae (in Fukui pref.), about 150 km north north-west from receiving station. Method of echo sampling: After image procedure by PC with FFT software, echoes(>10 dB(S/N)) were counted. LT 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 UT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------- November,1999 (LT=UT+9h) 13/ 18 35 36 37 26 23 22 32 29 29 32 25 Es Es@19 17 22 17 16 19 26@21 26@23 1 1 1 1 1 14/ 25 39 45 31 31 31 38 28 40@29 IF 26 25 IF IF 14 17 IF IF IF IF@25 24@27 1 1 1 1 15/ 30 32 38 40 49 32@38 35 38@34@24 32 30 28 28 21 17 16 17 19 23 21 15@14 1 1 1 1 16/ 27 33 36 35 34 31 29 IF IF@27 33 28 26 27@18 IF IF IF IF IF @3 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------ @symbol means corrected hourly rate. Es symbol means interruption by Sporadic E layer. IF symbol means interference by foreign broadcasting. up/middle/down : hourly rate of all echoes / hourly rate of long(> 20 sec.) echoes/dead time rate(%) caused by persistent echoes Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1999 21:51:18 +0100 From: Martin Galea De Giovanni Subject: [IMO-News] More Observations From Malta 13-14 / 11 / 1999 Hi, After Yesterday's thunderstorm , the night sky miraculously cleared out and crispy clear skies were enjoyed by the lucky observers at Ras Il Qammieh . Unfortunately high humidity and a thin layer of haze made observations for some hours impossible. We managed to observe Linearids (possible ? ), N Taurids , S Taurids and Leonids. Observation report for 13 - 14 / 11 / 1999 Location : Ras Il Qammieh Malta Europe (Lat 35.59 N Long 14.19 E ) Observers : Martin Galea De Giovanni (GALMA) Alexei Pace (PACAL) Joseph Zammit (ZAMJO) Please note that the Times are all in UT and of the night 13-14/ 11 / 1999 Observation Of GALMA (1) Start time 00:20 End Time 01:21 Total Observing time = 61 minutes Effective Time = 58 minutes Obscuration 30 % for 10 minutes SLM @ 00:20 (UT) = + 6.0 SLM @ 1:21 (UT) = + 5.4 Totals Total number of meteors = 11 Sporadic = 2 Leonids = 3 N Taurids = 6 Magnitude distribution Sporadic Magnitude number of meteors 2 1 3 1 Leonids Magnitude number of meteors 1 1 2 1 4 1 Taurids N Magnitude number of meteors -2 1 0 2 1 1 3 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Observation Of GALMA (2) Start time 03:00 End Time 04:00 Total Observing time = 60 minutes Effective Time = 57 minutes Obscuration 10 % for 10 minutes SLM @ 03:25 (UT) = + 5.7 Totals Total number of meteors = 18 Sporadic = 6 Leonids = 8 N Taurids = 2 Possible Linearids = 2 Magnitude distribution Sporadic Magnitude number of meteors 1 2 3 2 4 1 5 1 Leonids Magnitude number of meteors 0 2 1 2 2 2 3 1 5 1 Taurids N Magnitude number of meteors 3 1 4 1 Possible Linearids Magnitude number of meteors 0 1 1 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Observations for PACAL Start time 00:30 End Time 01:30 Total Observing time = 60 minutes Effective Time = 59 minutes SLM = + 6.2 Totals Total number of meteors = 9 Sporadic = 2 N Taurids = 7 Magnitude distribution Sporadic Magnitude number of meteors 2 1 4 1 Taurids N Magnitude number of meteors 0 1 1 3 2 2 3 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Observations for ZAMJO Start time 23:19 End Time 00:48 Total Observing time = 89 minutes Effective Time = 68 minutes SLM @ 23:19 (UT) = + 5.1 SLM @ 00:48 (UT) = + 5.7 Totals Total number of meteors = 23 Sporadic = 8 Linearids = 1 Leonids = 1 N Taurids = 13 Magnitude distribution Sporadic Magnitude number of meteors 1 1 2 2 3 2 4 3 Leonids Magnitude number of meteors 1 1 Linearids (possible) Magnitude number of meteors +4 1 Taurids N Magnitude number of meteors -1 1 0 1 1 1 2 2 3 5 4 3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Clear Skies Martin Galea De Giovanni Visit the NEW page of the Astronomical Society Of Malta at www.geocities.com/maltastro Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1999 08:50:56 +0100 From: Martin Galea De Giovanni Subject: [IMO-News] Linearids ,Taurids and Leonids From Malta 11-12 / 11 / 1999 More reports from Malta........ Although a small number of Linearids were observed no storm of any kind was evident. Sky conditions were very good at first but slowly started to deteriorate, with occasional clouds and a bit of haze. We managed to observe Linearids , N Taurids , S Taurids and a few Leonids. Observation report for 11-12 / 11 / 1999 Location : Ahrax Tal Mellieha Malta Europe (Lat 36.00 N Long 14.22 E ) Observers : Martin Galea De Giovanni (GALMA) Umberto Mule' Stagno (MULUM) Joseph Zammit (ZAMJO) Please note that the Times are all in UT and of the night 11-12/ 11 / 1999 Observing conditions : Clear for the first few hours then with cloud patches and slight haze. Observation Of GALMA Start time 00:20 End Time 03:40 Total Observing time = 200 minutes Effective Time = 168 minutes SLM @ 00:20 (UT) = + 6.1 SLM @ 1:45 (UT) = + 5.9 SLM @ 3:30 (UT) = + 5.7 Totals Total number of meteors = 42 Sporadic = 12 Linearids = 3 Leonids = 9 S Taurids = 6 N Taurids = 12 Magnitude distribution Sporadic Magnitude number of meteors -2 1 0 3 1 2 2 1 3 1 4 2 5 2 Leonids Magnitude number of meteors -2 1 0 3 1 1 3 2 4 2 Linearids Magnitude number of meteors -2 1 -1 1 1 1 Taurids N Magnitude number of meteors -3 1 -1 1 0 2 1 4 2 3 5 1 Taurids S Magnitude number of meteors 0 1 2 3 3 1 4 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Observations for MULUM Start time 00:22 End Time 03:20 Total Observing time = 178 minutes Effective Time = 147 minutes SLM @ 00:22 (UT) = + 6.1 SLM @ 1:22 (UT) = + 6.1 SLM @ 2:22 (UT) = + 5.9 SLM @ 3:20 (UT) = + 5.7 Totals Total number of meteors = 35 Sporadic = 13 Linearids = 2 Leonids = 9 S Taurids = 3 N Taurids = 8 Magnitude distribution Sporadic Magnitude number of meteors -3 1 -1 1 0 2 1 2 2 3 3 2 4 1 5 1 Leonids Magnitude number of meteors -2 1 0 1 2 2 3 2 4 2 5 1 Linearids Magnitude number of meteors -2 1 +4 1 Taurids N Magnitude number of meteors 0 1 1 1 2 2 3 2 4 2 Taurids S Magnitude number of meteors 2 1 3 1 4 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Observations for ZAMJO Start time 00:20 End Time 03:24 Total Observing time = 184 minutes Effective Time = 152 minutes SLM @ 00:35 (UT) = + 5.7 SLM @ 2:55 (UT) = + 5.9 SLM @ 3:26 (UT) = + 5.7 Totals Total number of meteors = 43 Sporadic = 23 Linearids = 2 Leonids = 6 S Taurids = 2 N Taurids = 10 Magnitude distribution Sporadic Magnitude number of meteors -2 1 -1 1 0 4 1 5 2 2 3 6 4 4 Leonids Magnitude number of meteors -4 1 1 2 3 1 4 2 Linearids Magnitude number of meteors -2 1 +4 1 Taurids N Magnitude number of meteors 0 1 1 5 2 2 3 1 4 1 Taurids S Magnitude number of meteors 3 1 4 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Clear Skies Martin Galea De Giovanni Visit the NEW page of the Astronomical Society Of Malta at www.geocities.com/maltastro Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 16:53:11 +0100 From: Martin Galea De Giovanni Subject: [IMO-News] Observations report from Malta (10-11/11/99) Hi , Tonight was a very rewarding night regardless of the cold temperatures . It was worth it . I am submitting these observations just as i arrived back home from a whole night of observations (errors from lack of sleep are possible!) . ZAMJO and GALMA (that is me) have observed taurids, leonids and linearids. I also managed to observe an exploding, point, fireball of mag -10 !! Please note that the Times are all in UT and of the night 10-11/ 11 / 1999 Observing conditions : 10 % obscuration for 30 minutes SLM @ 00:02 (UT) = + 5.7 SLM @ 3:27 (UT) = 6.1 SLM @ 4:15 (UT) = 6.0 Observers Joseph Zammit (ZAMJO) & Martin Galea De Giovanni (GALMA) Observation Of GALMA Start time 23:23 End Time 04:23 Total Observing time = 300 minutes Effective Time = 294 minutes Totals Total number of meteors = 62 Sporadic = 18 Lineraids = 7 Leonids = 8 Taurids (total of S and N) = 29 Magnitude distribution Sporadic Magnitude number of meteors -10 1 -4 1 -3 1 0 2 1 3 2 3 3 5 4 1 5 1 Leonids Magnitude number of meteors -5 1 -2 1 0 1 1 3 2 2 Total 8 Linearids Magnitude number of meteors -2 1 -1 1 0 1 1 1 3 3 Total 7 Taurids N Magnitude number of meteors -2 1 -1 1 0 2 1 2 2 6 3 1 4 3 5 1 Total 17 Calculated ZHR of 6.21 Taurids S Magnitude number of meteors -3 1 0 4 1 3 2 3 5 1 Total 12 Calculated ZHR of 4.91 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Observations by ZAMJO Start time 00:01 End Time 01:07 Total Observing time = 66 minutes Effective Time = 63 minutes Totals Total number of meteors = 12 Sporadic = 4 Leonids = 1 Taurids (total of S and N) = 7 Magnitude distribution Sporadic Magnitude number of meteors -1 1 4 2 5 1 Leonids Magnitude number of meteors 2 1 Taurids N and S Magnitude number of meteors -1 1 1 1 2 2 3 1 4 1 5 1 Total 7 ZHR cannot be calculated ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- Observations by ZAMJO (observation Number 2) Start time 02:57 End Time 04:24 Total Observing time = 87 minutes Effective Time = 83 minutes Totals Total number of meteors = 19 Sporadic = 13 Leonids = 3 Linearids = 2 Taurids (total of S and N) = 1 Magnitude distribution Sporadic Magnitude number of meteors -3 1 1 2 2 3 3 6 4 1 Leonids Magnitude number of meteors 1 2 3 1 Linearids Magnitude number of meteors 1 1 2 1 Taurids N and S Magnitude number of meteors 4 1 ZHR cannot be calculated Clear Skies Martin Galea De Giovanni Visit the NEW page of the Astronomical Society Of Malta at www.geocities.com/maltastro Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 18:18:29 +0100 From: Rosta Stork Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids 14/15 Nov - radar observations Dear colleagues, during the foreground observation for yielding an instrumental profile for Leonids, small peak was observed at 2-3 UT 14/15 Nov 1999. http://sunkl.asu.cas.cz/~stork/leonids.html Petr Pridal Rosta Stork Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 13:40:54 -0500 (EST) From: Dejan Vinkovic Subject: [IMO-News] the Global Electrophonic Fireball Survey Dear meteor observers, The upcoming Leonids are a good occasion to start with the systematic survey for still unexplained phenomenon of the electrophonic sounds from bright meteors. These sounds are heard simultaneously with the meteors, (electrophonic fireballs), which is not possible to explain by the acoustic propagation of sound. Since the electrophonic fireballs are a very rare event, with unpredictable time and location of appearance, the Center for Computational Sciences at University of Kentucky has initiated the Global Electrophonic Fireball Survey (GEFS) project: http://gefs.ccs.uky.edu The goal of GEFS is to collect witness reports by amateur and professional astronomers from all around the world and start with systematic analysis of this phenomenon. More information about the electrophonic sounds, historical records of these sounds, and electrophonic sound report form, can be found on the above website. We wish you a clear sky and many bright meteors! Sincerely, Dejan Vinkovic Center for Computational Sciences University of Kentucky Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 16:09:46 -0500 From: Lew Gramer & Karen Simmons Subject: [IMO-News] Florida Leonids, GRALE, 15/16 Nov 1999 The NASA/ESA/USAF/CRESTech/LEOC/UWO observing campaign began in earnest last night with video data collected during 0500-1000UT, reported along with my own visual Leonid summary to the Marshall Space Flight Center at hourly intervals... I'm unfortunately left on my own for the visual, so I had to keep a running total of Leonids AND their magnitudes in my head during each hour interval, then divide by hand at each reporting period! Luckily, LEO rates never went above 10: this will be impossible tonight! High science, indeed. :) Anyway, I also recorded full IMO data, which I transcribed and have summarized below. Most notable to me is the extreme faintness of the LEOs relative to Sporadics for the night! Where are the "low-r" Leonids of former years?? My understanding was that only a very narrow "storm component" might display a somewhat high population index, and only on the night of the actual storm peak IF it were even visible! Oh well, this may just be a statistical artifact of a small sample size? Or do current models in fact call for the "background" Leonid component to come from a predominantly low-mass part of the stream this year?? Data Summary: Lew Gramer GRALE, 15/16 Nov 1999, Long Key FL USA, 24:49 N, 80:49 W, 0m # Start End CFV Teff LM F LEO NTA STA Tau AMO Spor TOTAL 1 4:40 4:59 430+20 0.32 7.45 1.000 0 2 0 0 0 2 4 2 5:00 5:59 430+20 0.98 7.50 1.037 4 0 2 1 1 13 21 3 6:00 6:59 630+20 0.98 7.46 1.013 5 1 2 0 0 19 27 4 7:00 7:59 630+20 0.98 7.42 1.000 7 3 3 0 3 15 31 5 8:00 8:59 730+05 0.98 7.39 1.000 10 1 1 4 2 18 36 6 9:00 9:59 730+05 0.98 7.27 1.000 10 3 0 0 2 15 30 7 10:00 10:20 730+05 0.20 7.20 1.000 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 TOTALS 5.42 7.40 1.009 36 10 8 5 8 86 153 Average Magnitudes 3.74 3.30 2.94 4.00 3.94 3.44 3.52 Magnitude Distributions: -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TOTAL LEO 0.5 1 1.5 2.5 8 11 8.5 3 0 36 NTA 0 0 0 3 2 4 1 0 0 10 STA 0 0 2 2 1 1 1.5 0.5 0 8 Tau 0 0 0 1 0.5 1 2.5 0 0 5 AMO 0 0 0 1 1.5 2.5 3 0 0 8 Spor 3 2 3.5 12 16 23 22 3.5 0 85 TOTAL 3.5 3 7 21.5 29 42.5 38.5 7 0 152 (Note: Magnitude for one Sporadic lost in transcription.) Clear skies everyone, these next two are the big nights! Lew Gramer Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 23:47:22 +0100 From: Casper ter Kuile Subject: [IMO-News] Sign of life Hi all, This is the first message of the Leonid Expedition '99 of the Dutch Meteor Society from our observing site in southern France. Two teams are near the Pyrenees (Roussillon) and another two teams situated in southern Spain. A fifth team is in southern Portugal. Everything is O.K. We are still alive despite lots of rainfall. Our very first observing night november 16/17 is going to start in a few moments.... Weather is moderate: some high clouds are drifting by. We will inform you in a few hours. Thank you! Clear Skies to you all! Casper. Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 10:38:40 +0900 From: Kazuhiro_Suzuki Subject: [IMO-News] HRO Today, Japan, 11/17 HRO Today, Japan at 02h UT on Nov.17, 1999 The burst of 1999 Leonids has not been observed in Japan yet. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// HRO (Forward-scattered Radio Meteor Observation using HAM) Data from Japan by Kazuhiro Suzuki, E-mail: kazuhiro@suzuki.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm "Radio Meteor Data, JAPAN" /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Observer: Kazuhiro Suzuki Location: Toyokawa Meteor Observatory (137.32 deg E, 34.81 deg N) Toyokawa-city, Aichi, 442-0845, JAPAN Transmitter: JA9YDB 53.7500 MHz, CW 50 W operated by Mr. Kimio Maegawa(Fukui National College of Technology) Receiver: IC-575 (ICOM) LSB BW 2.5 kHz Antenna: Dipole (height 7 m, to zenith) Transmitter location: Sabae (in Fukui pref.), about 150 km north north-west from receiving station. Method of echo sampling: After image procedure by PC with FFT software, echoes(>10 dB(S/N)) were counted. LT 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 UT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------- November,1999 (LT=UT+9h) 13/ 18 35 36 37 26 23 22 32 29 29 32 25 Es Es@19 17 22 17 16 19 26@21 26@23 1 1 1 1 1 14/ 25 39 45 31 31 31 38 28 40@29 IF 26 25 IF IF 14 17 IF IF IF IF@25 24@27 1 1 1 1 15/ 30 32 38 40 49 32@38 35 38@34@24 32 30 28 28 21 17 16 17 19 23 21 15@14 1 1 1 1 16/ 27 33 36 35 34 31 29 IF IF@27 33 28 26 27@18 IF IF IF IF IF IF Es 21@24 @3 3 17/ 35 45 49 60 36 29 37 41 35 IF IF 2 1 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------ @symbol means corrected hourly rate. Es symbol means interruption by Sporadic E layer. IF symbol means interference by foreign broadcasting. up/middle/down : hourly rate of all echoes / hourly rate of long(> 20 sec.) echoes/dead time rate(%) caused by persistent echoes Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 06:46:05 +0000 From: "[iso-8859-1] Víctor R. Ruiz" Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids from Spain Hello: Two reports from Spain. The activity is very low, comparing just one year ago. I couldnt get a clear sky here in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands), but between clouds nothing seen (only one meteor, a leonid candidate -sure, I can consider myself lucky looking to this reports! ;) Date (y/m/d): 1999/11/16-17 Begin (UT): End (UT) : 04:00 Site : Padul, Granada, Espa¤a IMO Code : 0 Longitude : 3§36'O Latitude : +37§10'N 800 Observer : Angel Rafael Lopez Sanchez, Agrupacion Astronomica Cordoba (AAC) IMO Code : Periods RA Dec Teff F lm LEO SPO (UT) (d) (d) (h) M/N M/N 0100 0200 90 +60 1.00 1.00 5.72 P 1 - 0 0200 0300 90 +60 0.98 1.00 5.67 P 6 P 2 0300 0400 90 +60 0.99 1.00 5.45 P 4 - 0 Totals 2.96 1.00 5.62 11 2 _ Rad. <-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 m LEO 2.0 1.0 3.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 0.82 SPO 1.0 1.0 Date (y/m/d): 1999/11/16-17 Begin (UT): End (UT) : 04:00 Site : Padul, Granada, Espa¤a IMO Code : 0 Longitude : 3§36'O Latitude : +37§10'N 800 Observer : Bella Espinar Frias, Sociedad Astronomica Granadina (SAG) IMO Code : Periods RA Dec Teff F lm LEO SPO (UT) (d) (d) (h) M/N M/N 0100 0200 120 +60 1.00 1.00 5.09 P 1 - 0 0200 0300 120 +60 0.97 1.00 5.15 P 8 P 1 0300 0400 120 +60 0.99 1.00 5.20 P 4 - 0 Totals 2.96 1.00 5.15 13 1 Rad. <-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 m LEO 1.0 1.0 1.0 3.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 2.0 0.62 SPO 1.0 - - - Good nights... of good observing! Víctor R. Ruiz rvr@idec.es Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 09:16:39 +0000 (GMT) From: Neil Bone Subject: [IMO-News] Re: Leonids quick report Nov 16-17 looks to have been clear over much of the UK. Low Leonid rates, as yet. I give my own summary below (mags. to folow, but few bright Leonids), obtained in a couple of hours befor altocumulus spread in from the coast. Good luck everyone for 17-18! Neil Bone Apuldram, West Sussex, UK 50o49.1'N 0o48.3oW Interval(UT) Teff LM F Spo Leo Tau 0215-0315 1.00 6.0 - 8 5 1 0315-0415 1.00 6.0 1.06 4 7 1 "The Harepath", Mile End Lane, Apuldram, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 7DZ. UK Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 10:36:31 +0100 (MET) From: Felix Bettonvil Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids November 16/17 from La Palma Quick report We report low activity from Canary Island of La Palma. No bright meteors and fireballs. Brightest one -2. Period Teff Lm F LEO non-LEO 02.38 - 6.21 UT 2.9 hr +6.3 1.25 28 36 Felix Bettonvil NVWS Meteor Section Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 16:25:08 +0100 (MET) From: "Marc.Gyssens" Subject: [IMO-News] access to www.imo.net Dear Meteor Friends, Last year, www.imo.net crashed during the night of November 17 to 18 due to extremely heavy traffic. I will do my best to try to avoid a repetition this year, although, of course, I cannot promise - Murphy is indeed hard to beat! I have to mention two points in this connection. 1) Avoid to surf on www.imo.net between now and November 18, inclusive, if not really necessary. Regular updates of Leonid activity will be distributed as soon as they are available to the IMO-News and MeteorObs lists, even before they are put on the Web page, so you will be among the first to know. In this way, you help reducing the traffic on www.imo.net, which may be just what we need to avoid last year's problems. 2) Traffic at this time is already so heavy that normal users on the machine on which www.imo.net is running can no longer normally work. As a consequence you may expect access to www.imo.net to be periodically disabled for a short while (also for maintenance, such as removing lengthy log files etc.). I'll try to minimize this "dead time". Notice that "express reports" of the kind suggested by me in an earlier mailing should not only be sent to wgn@imo.net, but also to gyssens@hcoss.uia.ac.be (for backup purposes, in case the former machine would crash because of heavy traffic.). Meanwhile, I wish you a lot of success with your observing tonight and look forward to your feedback. The quicker I receive this (and the better you adhere to the format I suggested) the quicker I will be able to distribute some first information based on multiple sources! Thank you again for your understanding for the above! Marc Gyssens I ask for your understanding for the above vi Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 03:24:23 +0900 From: Kazuhiro_Suzuki Subject: [IMO-News] HRO Today, Japan, 11/17(B) HRO Today, Japan at 18h UT on Nov.17, 1999 The burst of 1999 Leonids has not been observed in Japan yet. Hourly rate of echoes increased to 56 at 18h UT. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// HRO (Forward-scattered Radio Meteor Observation using HAM) Data from Japan by Kazuhiro Suzuki, E-mail: kazuhiro@suzuki.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm "Radio Meteor Data, JAPAN" /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Observer: Kazuhiro Suzuki Location: Toyokawa Meteor Observatory (137.32 deg E, 34.81 deg N) Toyokawa-city, Aichi, 442-0845, JAPAN Transmitter: JA9YDB 53.7500 MHz, CW 50 W operated by Mr. Kimio Maegawa(Fukui National College of Technology) Receiver: IC-575 (ICOM) LSB BW 2.5 kHz Antenna: Dipole (height 7 m, to zenith) Transmitter location: Sabae (in Fukui pref.), about 150 km north north-west from receiving station. Method of echo sampling: After image procedure by PC with FFT software, echoes(>10 dB(S/N)) were counted. LT 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 UT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------- November,1999 (LT=UT+9h) 14/ 25 39 45 31 31 31 38 28 40@29 IF 26 25 IF IF 14 17 IF IF IF IF@25 24@27 1 1 1 1 15/ 30 32 38 40 49 32@38 35 38@34@24 32 30 28 28 21 17 16 17 19 23 21 15@14 1 1 1 1 16/ 27 33 36 35 34 31 29 IF IF@27 33 28 26 27@18 IF IF IF IF IF IF Es 21@24 @3 3 17/ 35 45 49 60 36 29 37 41 35 IF IF@24 28 20 23 24 18 20 16@18 16 25 26@16 2 1 2 18/ 28 56 56 1 1 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------ @symbol means corrected hourly rate. Es symbol means interruption by Sporadic E layer. IF symbol means interference by foreign broadcasting. up/middle/down : hourly rate of all echoes / hourly rate of long(> 20 sec.) / hourly rate of long(> 60 sec.) echoes Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 15:01:31 -0500 From: Lew Gramer & Karen Simmons Subject: [IMO-News] Florida Leonid Summary, 16/17 Nov 1999, GRALE LARGEEYES@aol.com asked: >Call me uninformed, but why are everyone's observations so much >different from the rates listed on http://www.leonidslive.com?? >They said observers are already reporting 20 Leonid meteors and >hour and the USAF and U of Western Ontario have a 67 mhr rate... For one thing, I believe the 67 mhr must be an intensified VIDEO rate. I am part of the USAF/NASA/UWO team which is observing from South Florida. (I am the one and only, very lonely visual observer on the FL team...) My Leonid rates last night for the 5 full-hour periods I observed from Long Key, FL were: 16/17 Nov 1999, GRALE Times LEOs Avg Mag LM 05-06UT 3 1.8 7.0 06-07UT 11 3.3 7.3 07-08UT 18 4.0 7.4 08-09UT 23 3.8 7.5 09-10UT 28 3.4 7.5 F-factor all periods EXCEPT first was 1.0. F for 05-06UT much worse! Last hour included one -3 terminal-burst fireball: average mag excl- uding that was closer to 3.6. Sporadic data not transcribed as yet, but general impression was that Spo rates and magnitudes were mostly similar to previous night's data, as reported. I also noted unusual AMO activity during the 06-07UT hour - 2 or 3 times what I expected! No time to fully transcribe my data today, as I *may* be moving to outrun cloudcover tonight... Could this be a repeat of last year? PS: THANKS to the able middle-of-the-night weather advice from our own Norm MacLeod and Wayne Hally - it did clear for me, guys! :) Clear skies to all! Lew Gramer Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 00:27:27 +0100 From: Rosta Stork Subject: [IMO-News] 16/17 Nov Leonids - Ondrejov radar Dear colleagues, data from Ondrejov backscatter radar do not show any significant activity last night. The record just follows the foreground (instrumental) profile observed two days ago. http://sunkl.asu.cas.cz/~stork/leonids.html We hope this night will be another case. Petr Pridal Rosta Stork Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 12:09:14 -0500 From: "[iso-8859-1] Asdai Díaz Rodríguez" Subject: [IMO-News] first reports for the Leonids'99 from Cuba (16/17) Dear all, Here you are the first leonids'99 visual reports from Havana, Cuba. The 1999 leonids activity was very low, practically no brigth meteors had been see. May be in short time could be ready more visual reports from others groups of meteors observers. We keep atention to the 17/18 leonids activity. clear skies for every one and good luck, Asdai Diaz Cuban Visual Meteors Network Astronomy Department Institute of Geophysics & Astronomy -------------------- IMO Summary Report Observer: Asdai Diaz Rodriguez (IMO CODE: DIAAS) Department of Astronomy, Institute of Geophysics and Astronomy Observing site: Cacahual Hill, Havana City, Cuba Long: 82° 23' 19''W, Lat: 22° 56' 38''N, Alt: 100 meters. November 17th 1998 Begin(UT): 08:00 End(UT): 10:00 METEOR SHOWERS Interval( TU ) Teff Lm F(clouds) LEO TAU TAU SPO 0800-0900 0.98 6.0 1.05 7 1 0 2 Interval( TU ) Teff Lm F(clouds) LEO TAU TAU SPO 0900-1000 0.97 5.9 1.0 8 0 1 1 Center field of view: RA(h,m)=05,26 Dec(grad,m)=28,36 METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: Magnitude (number) Leonids: -2(1),-1(0),0(3),+1(4),+2(3),+3(2),+4(2) Taurids North: +2(1) Sporadics: +1(1),+2(2) Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1999 18:49:10 -0500 From: Alejandro Echavarria Subject: [IMO-News] Re: first reports for the Leonids'99 from Cuba (16/17) Report from Medellín, Colombia, South America, As of 23:45 p.m. UT, November 16, the sky is totally clouded. We don't think we'll have a chance this year. Will report later if sky changes... Medellín, Coordinates, for reference: 6d 13.265' N -75d34.077'W Happy skies to all, ALEJANDRO ECHAVARRIA -----Original Message----- From: Asdai Díaz Rodríguez To: 'imo-news@egroups.com' Cc: meteorobs@jovian.com ; 'Dr. Josep M. Trigo i Rodriguez' ; 'l-somyce@aagc.dis.ulpgc.es' Date: Wednesday, November 17, 1999 6:37 PM Subject: [IMO-News] first reports for the Leonids'99 from Cuba (16/17) Dear all, Here you are the first leonids'99 visual reports from Havana, Cuba. The 1999 leonids activity was very low, practically no brigth meteors had been see. May be in short time could be ready more visual reports from others groups of meteors observers. We keep atention to the 17/18 leonids activity. clear skies for every one and good luck, Asdai Diaz Cuban Visual Meteors Network Astronomy Department Institute of Geophysics & Astronomy -------------------- IMO Summary Report Observer: Asdai Diaz Rodriguez (IMO CODE: DIAAS) Department of Astronomy, Institute of Geophysics and Astronomy Observing site: Cacahual Hill, Havana City, Cuba Long: 82° 23' 19''W, Lat: 22° 56' 38''N, Alt: 100 meters. November 17th 1998 Begin(UT): 08:00 End(UT): 10:00 METEOR SHOWERS Interval( TU ) Teff Lm F(clouds) LEO TAU TAU SPO 0800-0900 0.98 6.0 1.05 7 1 0 2 Interval( TU ) Teff Lm F(clouds) LEO TAU TAU SPO 0900-1000 0.97 5.9 1.0 8 0 1 1 Center field of view: RA(h,m)=05,26 Dec(grad,m)=28,36 METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: Magnitude (number) Leonids: -2(1),-1(0),0(3),+1(4),+2(3),+3(2),+4(2) Taurids North: +2(1) Sporadics: +1(1),+2(2) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Looking for the latest consumer electronic gadgets or computer equipment? eBay has thousands of audio equipment, computer games & accessories. You never know what you might find at eBay! http://clickhere.egroups.com/click/1142 To unsubscribe from IMO-News, send a blank message to imo-news-unsubscribe@egroups.com, or visit www.e-groups.com/list/imo-news. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Create a poll/survey for your group! -- http://www.egroups.com/vote?listname=o-news&m= Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 02:26:54 +0100 From: Casper ter Kuile Subject: [IMO-News] Leonid report 2 Hi to All! Team "Delingha"of the Dutch Meteor Society reports... Location Valencia / Alicante - Spain. Time: 01:25 UT Rates are sharply increasing now!!! About 15 minutes ago our visual observers reported about 5 Leonids per minute!\ Keep you informed! Casper Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 10:29:18 +0900 From: Kazuhiro_Suzuki Subject: [IMO-News] HRO Today, Japan, 11/18(A) HRO Today, Japan at 01h UT on Nov.18, 1999 The strong activity of 1999 Leonids meteors has started since 00h30m UT, on Nov.18. Long echoes(>20 sec.) prominently increased to HR19 at 00h-01h UT. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// HRO (Forward-scattered Radio Meteor Observation using HAM) Data from Japan by Kazuhiro Suzuki, E-mail: kazuhiro@suzuki.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm "Radio Meteor Data, JAPAN" /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// LT 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 UT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 14/ 25 39 45 31 31 31 38 28 40@29 IF 26 25 IF IF 14 17 IF IF IF IF@25 24@27 1 1 1 1 15/ 30 32 38 40 49 32@38 35 38@34@24 32 30 28 28 21 17 16 17 19 23 21 15@14 1 1 1 1 16/ 27 33 36 35 34 31 29 IF IF@27 33 28 26 27@18 IF IF IF IF IF IF Es 21@24 @3 3 17/ 35 45 49 60 36 29 37 41 35 IF IF@24 28 20 23 24 18 20 16@18 16 25 26@16 2 1 2 18/ 28 56 56 62 33 31 49 57 50@72 1 1 4 1 4 4 6@19 1 1 1 2 @3 --------------------------------------------------------------------- @symbol means corrected hourly rate. Es symbol means interruption by Sporadic E layer. IF symbol means interference by foreign broadcasting. up/middle/down : hourly rate of all echoes / hourly rate of long(> 20 sec.) / hourly rate of long(> 60 sec.) echoes ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Observer: Kazuhiro Suzuki Location: Toyokawa Meteor Observatory (137.32 deg E, 34.81 deg N) Toyokawa-city, Aichi, 442-0845, JAPAN Transmitter: JA9YDB 53.7500 MHz, CW 50 W operated by Mr. Kimio Maegawa(Fukui National College of Technology) Receiver: IC-575 (ICOM) LSB BW 2.5 kHz Antenna: Dipole (height 7 m, to zenith) Transmitter location: Sabae (in Fukui pref.), about 150 km north north-west from receiving station. Method of echo sampling: After image procedure by PC with FFT software, echoes(>10 dB(S/N)) were counted. Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 02:49:11 -0000 From: Bev M Ewen-Smith Subject: [IMO-News] McNaught & Asher vindicated! Subjective obs showed very high rates peaking almost exactly at the time predicted by McNaught and Asher. Bev Bev and Jan Ewen-Smith COAA, sítio do Poio, Mexilhoeira Grande 8500-149, Portugal Tel 00 351 282 471180 Fax 00 351 282 471516 ><> coaa@mail.telepac.pt www.ip.pt/coaa ><> Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 03:55:26 +0100 From: Casper ter Kuile Subject: [IMO-News] Raining Leonids !!!!! YES! They did it! Team "Delingha"of the Dutch Meteor Society located between Valencia and Alicante in Spain reports.... We observed many, many, many Leonids falling from the sky! Our experienced visual observers counted about 30 Leonids per minute! Remind this is a very first and rough estimate! The time of the maximum is somewhere between 2 and 2:30 UT approximately. More detailed reports later..... Casper. Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 04:08:31 +0100 From: Hans Zekl Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids from Germany: A Great Show Weather was bad all day long, but at 0.15 UT the sky became very clear. Leonids were active with bright meteors and trails which glowed for about a second. I did not make accurate notes, but the estimated ZHR was about 120. After 30 minutes the next cloudfiled ccovered the sky, but iI noted that the western sky was free. I drove about 30 km in that direction. From there I could observe a sharp increase of the numbers of the Leonids. At least every 4 to 5 seconds a bright meteor could be seen. Sometimes one could see 4 at the same time rushing over the sky. Maximum seem to occur at about 1:50 with a second peak at 2:05. At 2:15 the sky become cloudy again and I my observatin ended. I think, although I just watched, at the time of maximum ZHR was over 1000. Locations: 1. Einhausen 8 degrees 35 minutes east, 49 degrees 41 minutes north 2. 10 km west of Worms, 35 km west of Einhausen I never saw such fine display of meteors Dr. Hans Zekl Odenwaldstrasse 7 D-64683 Einhausen Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 04:12:22 +-100 From: Per Tybjerg Aldrich Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids 1999 Nov 17-18 0115-0203 UT from Denmark Clouds hampers further observations this night. But here are my results from about 45 minutes observation: Interval (UT) N Magnitudes ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 01.15-01.30 8 1,-1,3,4,5,5,1,4 01.30-01.38 4 0,3,3,1 01.38-01.42 10 Not available 01.42-01.45 8 5,5,5,5,3,1,5,2 01.45-01.50 22 3,-1,3,2,3,3,2,3,1,4,4,5,2,3,3,4,2,4,5,5,4,5 01.50-01.55 24 3,3,1,5,2,2,-1,5,4,2,3,0,5,-1,0,0,1,2,5,1,3,2,3,4 01.55-02.00 30 4,3,1,0,1,0,3,1,4,3,2,-1,4,-1,-2,5,4,4,0,3,4, -1,5,3,3,2,1,1,4,3 02.00-02.03 6 3,3,4,4,1,2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Observed from Copenhagen, Denmark under a sky with drifting clouds and a limiting magnitude a little better than 5th magnitude. I used a tape recorder to register the data. Per Tybjerg Aldrich E-mail: aldrich@inet.uni2.dk Home Page: http://hjem.get2net.dk/aldrich Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 04:37:46 +0100 From: Marc Gyssens Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids press release I N T E R N A T I O N A L M E T E O R O R G A N I Z A T I O N Press release Leonid meteor storm materializes around expected peak time ========================================================== Experienced observers watching near Malaga, Spain, reported a peak in Leonid activity around 2 am Greenwich Mean Time. They estimated the activity at 20 to 30 meteors per minute. Among these were a lot of faint meteors and almost no fireballs. Observers near the Gorges du Verdon in the French Provence and on Tenerife, Canary Islands, reported similar numbers around or shortly after 2 am Greenwich Mean Time. They too were struck by the abundance of faint meteor and the relative absence of fireballs. Meteor astronomers reduce the actual numbers of meteors seen to a standard value, called the Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR), which takes into account the quality of the sky as well as the direction from which meteoroids enter the atmosphere. The activity reported from Malaga, Spain, corresponds with a ZHR in the range 3000-4000, which is more than what most meteor observers had hoped for (around 1000). More information will be released as it becomes available. Marc Gyssens International Meteor Organization Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 06:28:41 +0200 From: Mohammad Odeh Subject: [IMO-News] The Leonids Storm Occured Over Jordan From: Mohammad Odeh Hello, It is 06:30 Am local time in Jordan, and JAS has just ended the observation. After a very quick discussion with the scientists who were observing from Jordan with JAS. We concluded that Jordan was one of the best locations to observe the Leonids '99 from ! Since a decrease of the activity was noticed before the beginning of dawn ! Nearly all the participants estimated the ZHR to be some how between 7000 - 10 000 !! More details and the opinion of the scientists will be added soon at our site http://www.jas.org.jo/leo99.html Best Wishes JAS Moh'd Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 14:32:30 +0900 From: Kazuhiro_Suzuki Subject: [IMO-News] HRO Today, Japan, 11/18(B) HRO Today, Japan at 05h UT on Nov.18, 1999 Kazuhiro Suzuki E-mail: kazuhiro@suzuki.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm "Radio Meteor Data, JAPAN" The short burst of Leonids meteor shower was observed during 01h-03h on November 18 UT corresponding the solar longitude of 235.5 deg.(eq. 2000.0) , 1999 in Japan. The Leonids meteor activity was detected by monitoring forward-scattered meteor echoes of 50 MHz HAM radio wave (JA9YDB, 53.7500 MHz, 50W, operated by K.Maegawa) at Toyokawa Meteor Observatory, Aichi, Japan. Corrected maximum hourly rate of echoes reached to over 120 +-11 (non-shower:20-25) at 02h-03h UT, and over 250 +-40 at 02h00m-10m UT. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// LT 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 UT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------- November,1999 14/ 25 39 45 31 31 31 38 28 40@29 IF 26 25 IF IF 14 17 IF IF IF IF@25 24@27 1 1 1 1 15/ 30 32 38 40 49 32@38 35 38@34@24 32 30 28 28 21 17 16 17 19 23 21 15@14 1 1 1 1 16/ 27 33 36 35 34 31 29 IF IF@27 33 28 26 27@18 IF IF IF IF IF IF Es 21@24 @3 3 17/ 35 45 49 60 36 29 37 41 35 IF IF@24 28 20 23 24 18 20 16@18 16 25 26@16 2 1 2 18/ 28 56 56 62 33 31 49 57 50 72107121@27 1 1 5 1 4 5 10 19 23 11 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 --------------------------------------------------------------------- @symbol means corrected hourly rate. Es symbol means interruption by Sporadic E layer. IF symbol means interference by foreign broadcasting. up/middle/down : hourly rate of all echoes / hourly rate of long(> 20 sec.) / hourly rate of long(> 60 sec.) echoes ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Observer: Kazuhiro Suzuki Location: Toyokawa Meteor Observatory (137.32 deg E, 34.81 deg N) Toyokawa-city, Aichi, 442-0845, JAPAN Transmitter: JA9YDB 53.7500 MHz, CW 50 W operated by Mr. Kimio Maegawa(Fukui National College of Technology) Receiver: IC-575 (ICOM) LSB BW 2.5 kHz Antenna: Dipole (height 7 m, to zenith) Transmitter location: Sabae (in Fukui pref.), about 150 km north north-west from receiving station. Method of echo sampling: After image procedure by PC with FFT software, echoes(>10 dB(S/N)) were counted. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 06:53:43 +0100 From: Rosta Stork Subject: [IMO-News] maximum 17/18 Nov - radar Dear friends, also Ondrejov backscatter radar detected high activity of Leonids. Maximum was observed at 2:08 UT. The record of observation you can find on http://sunkl.asu.cas.cz/~stork/leonids.html. Graph corrected for the radar field of view and ZHR will follow later. Petr Pridal Rosta Stork Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 07:20:39 +0000 From: "[iso-8859-1] Víctor R. Ruiz" Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids from Gran Canaria Hi: I missed the mini-storm!!!!! It got clouded just when the activity was increasing. This is a very quick report. Tomorrow I will send the complete one. Observer: Víctor R. Ruiz IMO Code: RUIVI Place: Mogan (Gran Canaria) 16-17 Nov (UT) LM: 6.0 1:19-1:30 F0.70 1, 1, 3, 3, 0, 2 1:30-1:40 F0.50 0, 4, 1, 4, 3, 2, 4, 5, 3, 0, 2, 1, 4, 3, 1, 3, 4, 5, 2, 1, 4 1:40-1:50 F0.20 1, 4, 5, 2, 0, 1 Place: Arinaga (Gran Canaria) LM: 5.5 4:00-4:11 F0.70 1, 0, 3, 3, 5, 3, 3, 4, 3, 1, 4, 4, 3, 0, 2, 0, 2, 4, 1, -1, 3, 0, 2, 1, 1, 0 4:11-4:21 F0.70 -1.5, 2, 0, 0.5, 4, -0.5, 4, -1, 4, 1, 0, 5, 2, 2, 4.5, 0 4:31-4:40 F0.60 2, 2, 4.5, 1, 2, 3.5, 5, 3, 4 4:40-4:50 F1.00 0.5, 3, 5, 3.5, 1, 2.5, 3, 3 4:50-5:00 F0.50 3, 2, 3, 0, 0.5, 4, -0.5, -0.5, 2 Greetings and good nights... of good observing!, Víctor R. Ruiz rvr@idec.es Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 08:59:57 +0100 From: Marc Gyssens Subject: [IMO-News] Update Leonid press release + IMO Shower Circular I N T E R N A T I O N A L M E T E O R O R G A N I Z A T I O N Press release Leonid meteor storm materializes around expected peak time (UPDATE) =================================================================== Experienced visual observers watching near Malaga and at the Sierra Nevada Observatory in Spain and near the Gorges du Verdon in the French Provence report that Leonid meteor activity peaked at up to 30 meteors per minute shortly after 2 am Greenwich Mean Time. This activity was characterized by a lot of faint meteors and almost no fireballs. Meteor astronomers reduce the actual numbers of meteors seen to a standard value, called the Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR), which takes into account the quality of the sky as well as the direction from which meteoroids enter the atmosphere. The peak activity reported by the abovementioned groups of observers corresponds with a ZHR around 5000, which is considerably more than what most meteor observers had hoped for (around 1000). Preliminary reports of other observing groups at Tenerife, Canary Islands, near Valencia in Spain, and in Jordan confirm the picture sketched above. Radio observations from Japan and the Czech Republic also indicate a peak time between 2:00 and 2:10 am Greenwich Mean Time. The observed peak time coincides almost perfectly with the peak time of 2:08 am Greenwich Mean Time predicted by Asher and McNaught, indicating that the activity was due to the dust trail created the Leonids' parent comet, Tempel-Tuttle, about 100 years ago (i.e., 3 revolutions ago of the Comet around the Sun). Marc Gyssens International Meteor Organization Below is a more technical description of the observed Leonid peak activity. ------------------------------------- I M O S h o w e r C i r c u l a r ------------------------------------- LEONID Activity 1999 Visual observations of the 1999 Leonids revealed a distinctive peak with a ZHR of about 5000 on November 18, 2h05m +/-10m UT (solar longitude 235.287 +/- 0.007, eq. 2000.0). ZHR levels were above 1000 from roughly 1h30m UT to 3h00m UT corresponding to 235.26 to 235.32 degrees in solar longitude. All observers who were able to view the peak under good sky conditions reported an abundance of faint meteors and a relative absence of fireballs. Some observers noticed a drop in the population index (i.e., a larger fraction of brighter meteors) after the peak. Reports from Mohammad Odeh (Jordanian Astronomical Society) and Casper ter Kuile (Dutch Meteor Society, observing near Valencia, Spain) are very consistent with the picture sketched above. In addition, radio data from K. Maegawa (Toyokawa Meteor Observatory, Aichi, Japan) reported by Kazuhiro Suzuki and the backscatter radar data from Ondrejov Observatory (Czech Republic) reported by Petr Pridal and Rosta Stork yield a peak time between 2h00m UT and 2h10m UT. It seems that the peak time of 2h08m UT predicted by Asher/McNaught is confirmed within a margin of at most a few minutes, although the observed activity is significantly higher. It is reasonable to conclude that the peak activity has been caused by the 3-revolutions old dust trail of 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. The following observers have contributed data immediately after the event, from which the ZHR profile given below has been derived: Per Aldrich, C.L. Chan, Asdai Diaz, Yuwei Fan, Fei Gao, Lew Gramer, Andre Knoefel, Wen Kou, Alastair McBeath, Tom Roelandts, Sirko Molau, Renke Song, Wanfang Song, Honglin Tao, Dan Xia, Dongyan Zha, Jinghui Zhang, Yan Zhang, Jin Zhu. (For groups of observers, only the name of the contributing observer has been mentioned.) Date Period (UT) ZHR +- --------------------------- Nov 17 0600-1000 16 2 Nov 17 1600-2010 30 5 Nov 17 1900-2200 53 14 Nov 18 0030-0100 130 90 Nov 18 0100-0115 490 230 Nov 18 0115-0130 770 160 Nov 18 0130-0145 1040 660 Nov 18 0145-0202 4100 840 Nov 18 0200-0215 5000 1100 Nov 18 0212-0230 2400 280 Nov 18 0243-0247 1100 160 Nov 18 0320-0330 470 70 Nov 18 0420-0430 180 40 --------------------------- ZHRs are computed with a population index of 2.0, zenithal exponent of 1.0. --- Marc Gyssens, 1999 November 18, 7h UT. wgn@imo.net --- Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 09:53:00 +0100 From: Frank Witte Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids Dear observers, a team of 15 students of University College Utrecht has defied Dutch weather conditions { snow!} to observe the 1999 Leonids. We have had one hour of clear skies from roughly 00h00 UT to 01h15 UT in which we have counted 25 or 26 Leonids per person, most of them ofcourse identical. The UCU-Campus "enjoyed" a limiting magnitude of 5.0 and about 6 of these Leonids were of magnitude +1 or higher. regards, Frank Witte ********************************************* Dr. F.M.C. Witte University College Utrecht PO Box 80145 3508 TC Utrecht The Netherlands fwitte@ucu.uu.nl Are you interested in ivy-league quality undergraduate programs on a residential, liberal arts and sciences college? Check out the best continental europe has to offer: http://www.ucu.uu.nl ******************************************************* Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 08:59:25 +0000 From: Alfredo Pereira Subject: [IMO-News] Leonid Results -- November 17-18 Leonid Results by Catarina Vitorino (VITCA), Cabo da Roca, Portugal (IMO site 40103): Lat. 38d 46' 52.1" N Lon. 9d 28' 33.4" W Alt. 235m Field: Azimuth 0 deg. Altitude 65 deg. Sky clear; no obstructions. Effective time are always full intervals (i.e. no breaks or dead time within each stated interval). Magnitude distribution of Leonid meteors: Nov. 18 UT Lm -4 -3 -2 -1 +0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 total LEO ================================================================== 0100-0115 5.80 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 5 0115-0125 0 1 0 2 1 2 3 0 2 4 15 0125-0135 5.88 1 0 0 0 1 3 6 3 5 3 22 0135-0145 0 0 1 1 3 6 5 4 3 5 28 0145-0150 0 0 1 0 2 5 11 8 3 0 30 0150-0155 0 0 0 1 3 9 5 5 6 1 30 0155-0205 0 0 1 0 3 12 20 11 13 2 62 0205-0213 0 0 0 0 3 10 22 20 21 8 84 0213-0220 0 1 0 0 1 1 11 17 10 7 48 0220-0233 0 0 1 2 1 5 17 23 22 6 77 0233-0247 0 0 0 0 0 5 10 8 18 7 48 0247-0301 6.00 0 0 0 0 1 3 4 9 8 1 26 0335-0400 6.00 0 0 2 1 1 4 3 2 3 1 17 0400-0415 0 1 0 0 1 4 9 3 1 0 19 0415-0435 0 0 1 0 1 2 2 0 2 0 8 =============================================================== Magnitude distribution of TAU(NTA+STA) and SPO for the whole watch: mag -4 -3 -2 -1 +0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 tot ==================================================== TAU 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 2 3 10 SPO 0 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 1 2 8 November 17-18 Leonid Results by Alfredo Pereira (PERAF), Cabo da Roca, Portugal (IMO site 40103): Lat. 38d 46' 52.1" N Lon. 9d 28' 33.4" W Alt. 235m Field: Azimuth 0 deg. Altitude 65 deg. Sky clear; no obstructions. Effective time are always full intervals (i.e. no breaks or dead time within each stated interval). Magnitude distribution of Leonid meteors: Nov.18 UT Lm -4 -3 -2 -1 +0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 total ============================================================== 0100-0115 5.95 0 0 0 1 2 2 1 1 0 2 9 0115-0125 5.95 0 0 0 2 2 3 3 6 3 2 21 0125-0135 6.15 0 1 0 1 3 2 5 5 6 1 24 0135-0145 6.15 0 0 0 2 3 2 9 9 4 5 34 0145-0150 6.15 0 0 0 1 5 2 6 15 7 2 39 0150-0155 6.15 0 0 0 1 1 4 11 22 5 1 45 0155-0205 6.15 0 0 1 1 3 4 22 28 13 1 73 0205-0213 6.15 0 0 0 0 3 5 24 38 13 5 88 0213-0223 6.15 0 1 0 1 1 1 13 21 8 1 47 0223-0233 6.15 0 0 1 1 3 4 24 27 5 4 69 0233-0247 6.15 0 0 0 1 4 3 12 19 11 5 55 0247-0301 6.15 0 0 0 1 0 4 5 12 7 5 34 0335-0400 6.15 0 1 0 0 1 3 6 12 3 6 32 0400-0415 6.23 1 0 0 0 3 2 10 7 3 2 28 0415-0435 6.23 0 1 0 0 2 0 7 6 5 3 24 0512-0532 6.23 0 0 0 1 2 2 3 1 3 2 14 0532-0545 6.23 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 1 8 0545-0600 6.23 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 2 2 11 Magnitude distribution of TAU(NTA+STA) and SPO for the whole watch: mag -4 -3 -2 -1 +0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 tot ==================================================== TAU 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 3 1 1 11 SPO 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 8 2 1 14 Cheers, Alfredo and Catarina apereira@fc.ul.pt http://correio.cc.fc.ul.pt/~apereira [Comet Observers' Forum] -- Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 12:37:48 +0100 From: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Subject: [IMO-News] 1999 Leonid STORM data Dear colleagues, Again the Tempel-Tuttle meteors appeared by hundreds. From Spain our congratulations with Drs. David Asher and Robert Mc Naught for their successful prospect on Leonid's 1999 activity. Below you can find our first detailed results. All members of the Spanish Photographic Meteor Network (SPMN) has work the past night in an intensive campaign from five stations of Valencia and Castellon provinces. Also other four stations were established in Madrid and Sevilla. The participating people in our SPMN project are: Joan Ma. Bullon, Juli Castellano, Angela del Castillo, Rodrigo Castillo, Alberto Castro-Tirado, Rafael Ferrando, José Gomez, Antonio Gutierrez, Carles Labordena, Fernando López, Carles Pineda, Rafael Ramirez, Julian Ruiz, Natatxa Sanchez and Helena Valero. Here you are our first results. From them considering a aprox. population index value of 2.5 we obtain a preliminary ZHR near to 3000 meteors by hour in the half-hour interval 01h45-02h15 UT. In the maximum the activity surpassed clearly a meteor by second and the continuous bandles difficult the counting. That's way probably our rates in the interval 02h10-02h20 UT are lower that the real meteor level. Please note that due to the high activity from 01h00 up to 03h30 UT we obtain only counts (no magnitude distributions), each observer in different time intervals. In the next hours we send reports from other observers. ------------------------ Preliminary activity reports Observer: Helena Valero-Rodriguez (IMO CODE: VALHE) Observing site: Desert de les Palmes, Castellon, Spain Longitude: E 0° 02' 40'' Latitude: 40° 04' 55''N , Altitude: 390 meters. November 17-18th 1999 15 min. intervals METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F LEO SPO 0105-0130 0.32 6.00 1.05 80 0 0130-0145 0.24 6.10 1.05 77 1 0145-0200 0.24 6.10 1.00 206 0 0200-0215 0.24 6.10 1.00 231 2 0215-0230 0.24 6.10 1.00 164 1 0230-0245 0.24 6.10 1.00 119 0 0245-0300 0.24 6.10 1.00 60 1 Aprox. center of view: RA=135° and Dec= +45° -------- Observer: Josep Mª Trigo-Rodriguez (IMO CODE: TRIJO) Dept. Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Valencia Member of SOMYCE and GEA Observing site: Desert de les Palmes, Castellon, Spain Longitude: E 0° 02' 40'' Latitude: 40° 04' 55''N , Altitude: 390 meters. November 17-18th 1999 5 min. intervals METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F LEO SPO 0035-0040 0.07 6.10 1.05 6 0 (1Mon) 0040-0045 0.07 6.10 1.05 8 1 0045-0050 0.07 6.10 1.11 5 0 0050-0055 0.07 1.11 9 0 0055-0100 0.07 10 0 0100-0105 0.07 6.10 1.11 8 1 0105-0110 0.07 12 0 0110-0115 0.07 6.10 1.11 15 0 0115-0120 0.07 6.10 1.11 13 0 0120-0125 0.07 1.05 20 0 0125-0130 0.07 6.20 1.05 55 0 1 minute intervals Interval TU Teff Lm F LEO SPO 0145-0146 0.016 6.20 1.00 17 1 0146-0147 14 0 0147-0148 16 0 0150-0151 18 0 0151-0152 16 0 0153-0154 0.016 6.20 1.00 24 0 0157-0158 28 0 0201-0202 27 0 0204-0205 37 1 0208-0209 45 0 0209-0210 40 0 0212-0213 49 0 0213-0214 58 0 0214-0215 80 1 0216-0217 67 0 0217-0218 69 0 0218-0219 0.016 6.20 1.00 54 0 0220-0221 46 1 0223-0224 30 0 0227-0228 32 0 0232-0233 15 0 0236-0237 23 0 0244-0245 17 0 0248-0249 0.016 6.20 1.00 18 1 0253-0254 20 0 0300-0301 12 0 0306-0307 16 0 0314-0315 10 0 0319-0320 5 0 0320-0321 7 0 0324-0325 6 0 0328-0329 10 0 0338-0339 0.016 6.20 1.00 8 0 0343-0344 4 0 0347-0348 5 1 0349-0350 7 0 0351-0352 5 0 0352-0353 6 0 0357-0358 4 0 0400-0401 7 0 0412-0413 4 0 0414-0415 6 1 Center field of view: RA=135° Dec=+30° METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(total number, number of persistent trains) Only obtained in the interval 00h25-00h50 UT Note: During the maximum from 02h00 up to 02h25 UT was observed a substantial increase of very faint meteors. Probably more of a 50% were upper +3 magnitude. Leonids (LEO): -2(2), -1(4), 0(2), +1(4), +2(5), +3(6), +4(3), +5(2) Monocerotids (MON): +1(1) ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez -Dept. Astronomy & Astrophysics, University of Valencia E-mail: jmtrigo@ctv.es Web page: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones: (+Spain Code 34) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 Postal address: c/ Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) SPAIN ******************************************************************* ^@^@ Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 12:42:11 +0200 From: Ilan Manulis Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids 1999 from Israel: What a Magnificent Sight! Friends, Following is a preliminary report of the Leonids meteor shower for the night of November 17-18, 1999 from Israel. Observing location: Mitzpe-Ramon, Israel Observing time: 22:30UT November 17 - 03:30UT November 18 Weather Conditions: Near perfect weather. Very few thin Cirrus clouds. Dry and calm. Temperature ~15 degrees Celsius. Limiting Magnitude ~5.5. Observers: 4 separate groups, counting in total 30 observers. Results: Amazing display. Peak at about 01:54UT, with the radiant almost overhead. An estimated rate of ~70 meteors per minute, i.e. >4,000 meteors per hour, maybe closer to 5,000 meteors per hour. Persistant duration of this rate for ~34 minutes! Most meteors in the magnitude range of 1 to 5, with a few fireballs leaving trails for up to 20 seconds. Impression: The best meteor shower witnessed by many. Only last years' unexpected Leonids fireball show on the night of November 16-17, 1998 outperformed this year's show, but only from the aspect of bright meteors count, not total number count. Ilan Manulis Head of the Small Solar System Bodies Section The Israeli Astronomical Association Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 05:23:02 +0100 From: Massimo Dionisi Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids from Italy Observative site: about 20 km south from Sassari (Sardinia, Italy) Observative team: Massimo Dionisi (DIOMA), Luca Fadda, Claudia Polano, Lubinu Pasquale Summary report: only two observative windows, from 00.24 to 00.44 UT and from 01.30 to 02.30 UT; sky clouded for 50% (also 90%) with rain (... water ...) for long period. Great meteor activity near 02.00 UT, in the second period of clear sky; about 15 meteors for minutes. Bright meteors (two fireballs of -8 with a persisten train for 3-4 minutes) Limiting magn.: 6.0 Massimo Dionisi maxdio@tiscalinet.it Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 04:16:30 +0100 (MET) From: Florian Zschage Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids from Kiel, Germany Hi all, We (three guys from northern Germany) went out at about 1:45 UT but had many clouds. The Skies opened at approximately 1:55 UT and stayed clear for about 20 Minutes (p=0.5). At about 2:05 +-2 min., we counted roughly (really just a first estimate) about 10 to 15 Meteors per Minute!!! Really a great show for someone who travelled 8000km last year for the expected maximum over Asia!! After 2:09 UT, new clouds appeared and hid the sky till 2:25 UT Now, just occasionally, a meteor appeared, the event seemed almost over... it seems, as if all calculations were really precise. What does a meteor watcher want more? Clear skies! Christine Becker, Florian Zschage, Andreas Petersen Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 13:47:29 +0000 (WET) From: Mark Kidger Subject: [IMO-News] Storm report from Tenerife Dear all: A large group of observers enjoyed a magnificent Leonid shower last night despite the radiant being a little low initially. This was a great way to baptise a new meteor observing group! Attached data is for KIDMA observing from El Contador (Aricvo, Tenerife), close to IMO site 15537. I'll pass on further data as I get it from the group. ZHRs assume r=2.5 and gamma=1 Mark Kidger Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 12:47:33 -0200 From: Rafael Haag Subject: [IMO-News] Brazil-Leonid Results Leonid Results November 18 Leonid Results by Rafael Haag (HAARA), Porto Alegre, BRAZIL: Lat. 30'20" S Lon. 51' 06" W Alt. 10m Field: Azimuth 180 deg. Altitude 40 deg. Sky clear; no obstructions. F = 1.00 Effective time are always full no intervals Counting metod Magnitude distribution of Leonid meteors: Nov. 18 UT Lm -4 -3 -2 -1 +0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 total LEO ==================================================== 0400-0530 5.50 0 0 0 2 0 1 2 1 0 0 6 0530-0600 6.00 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 1 1 7 0600-0630 5.50 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 1 5 0630-0700 5.50 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 3 =================================================== Magnitude distribution of TAU and SPO for the whole watch: mag -4 -3 -2 -1 +0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 tot ==================================================== TAU 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 2 0 0 8 SPO 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 2 1 0 6 ==================================================== Rafael haag haag@if.ufrgs.br ( Universidade Federal do Rio grande do Sul ) haag@portoweb.com.br Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 23:45:56 +0900 From: "[ISO-2022-JP] ^[$B9bM|!!2m>4^[(B" Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids in Japan : Preliminary results Leonids 1999 Visual results in Japan (The Nippon Meteor Society). ZHR has been computed with: - gamma = 1.0 (correction of Radiant elevation) - r = 2.0 (equal "IMO Shower Circular,LEONID Activity 1999") - excluding:observations under unfavourable condition (T<30m, Lm<4.0mag, Cl>0.4, RP-h<10deg) - SD : standerd deviation of ZHR - Err. : ZHR * 1/SQRT(#Leo) --------------------------------------------------------- Time[UT] #Obs T.eff #Leo ZHR(Leo) SD Err. Remarks --------------------------------------------------------- Nov.16, 1999 15:30 2 2.00 0 0 0 - 16:30 13 12.30 85 40 42 4 17:30 15 12.88 82 21 23 2 18:30 20 19.03 146 24 17 2 19:30 13 10.91 67 17 12 2 Nov.17, 1999 16:30 1 0.92 1 26 - 26 17:30 0 0 - - - - 18:30 2 1.08 16 41 2 10 19:30 2 1.00 57 154 141 20 20:15 3 1.67 80 134 86 15 --------------------------------------------------------- Observers : Yuriko ABE, Seiji ABE, Keiichi FUKUI, Takema HASHIMOTO, (31members) Daiyu ITO, Kiyoshi IZUMI, Sachiko KAMIYAMA, Wakaba KOBAYASHI, Hiroyuki KODAMA, Karimu KURAGAKI, Koji MAEDA, Katsuhiko MAMETA, Hiromi MITAMURA, Hidekatsu MIZOGUCHI, Ryosuke MORITA, Hiroshi OGAWA, Masayuki OKA, Hiroyuki OKAYASU, Hiroshi ONISHI, Kazuhiro OSADA, Koetsu SATO, Hirotaka SERIZAWA, Hiroyuki SHIOI, Kazuhiro SUMIE, Akiko TAKEUCHI, Syoichi TANAKA, Yasuhiro TONOMURA, Ikuo YAMAMOTO, Masayuki YAMAMOTO(Miyagi), Masayuki YAMAMOTO(Aichi), Satomi YOKOCHI, Total observations (Nov.12-17) : 6,013 minutes (=100.22h) Total number of Leonids meteors (Nov.12-17) : 755 See more details showing at : http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/index_e.html http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/nmsnews_e.html http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/leo9901.gif http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/leo9902.gif ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Masaaki Takanashi (The Nippon Meteor Society / Gotemba city, JAPAN) E-Mail : QGA00120@nifty.ne.jp The Nippon Meteor Society's Web page : http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/index_e.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 10:17:30 EST From: GeoZay@aol.com Subject: [IMO-News] GeoZay Leonids S. Calif Nov17/18 Just a quick note to give a taste of what happened here. Just got in from the Anza Borrego desert area and observed under clear skies with LM at 6.0 for 3.75 hours. That is between 9:30 - 13:15 hrs UT,(1:30 to 5:15 am local). Activity seemed very slow at first....partly due to lingering clouds from a recent passing front. Then it cleared up by 1:30 am. Then activity began to pick up....but no where near last years peak from this location. I think my best hour will be around 50 to 60 leonids. A lot of +3 magnitude meteors with relatively few bright members. Did pick up a -5 and a -3 that I remember. I will be getting my final report to Rainer later today or tomorrow with things more fine tuned. From this location in S. California, the Leonids weren't so hot. :o) George Zay Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 09:27:58 -0800 From: Mel Bartels Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids from Oregon, nov 17/18 Here in the mountains of Oregon in the pacific northwest part of the USA, under clear skies, we saw 4 Leonids from midnight to 1:30 am local time, Pacific Standard Time. One was extremely bright and blew up, the others were faint short streaks. Mel Bartels Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 01:42:26 +0200 From: Mohammad Odeh Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids '99 From Jordan Hello, Latest results and updated can be found now at http:// www.jas.org.jo/leo99.html For example:- Wednesday - Thursday 17-18 November During night number of meteors kept increasing by both; radio and visual observations. After a very quick discussion with the scientists who were observing from Jordan with JAS. We concluded that Jordan was one of the best locations to observe the Leonids '99 from ! Where the preliminarily results show that the peak occurred around 02 AM (04 AM), which is about 40 minutes before the beginning of dawn (so the radiant was high at the peak). Also, the dawn didn't affect the observation because the activity decreased before the beginning of dawn ! Most the participants estimated the maximum ZHR (based on the preliminarily results) to be some how between 7000 - 10 000 !! * Total observed number of meteors was: ^Õ Sana'a Abdo (JAS): 2100 meteors, during 4.0 hours effective time. ^Õ Khalid Tell (JAS): 2375 meteors, during 3.6 hours effective time. ^Õ Moh'd Odeh (JAS): 2916 meteors, during 4.3 hours effective time. ^Õ Ahmad Baker (SCS): 3162 meteors, during about 5 hours effective time. * ZHR, time of maximum, and rates. ^Õ Mr. Robert McNaught, based on one-minute interval, estimated the ZHR to be 7000 +/- 1000, and it occurred from Jordan at 02:04 +/- 2 minutes (UT). At maximum, McNaught observed 60 meteors per minute. ^Õ Several observers agreed that during the maximum, about 7 meteors appeared simultaneously at once !! ^Õ It was very hard to keep following and counting the unexpected large number of meteors during the maximum, and so many observers stopped recording, and just enjoyed the show !! ^Õ Odeh observed 770 meteors from 02:00 - 02:14 UT ! ^Õ Overdense meteors were so frequently heard by radio observation, before the time of the storm. Which was unfortunately stopped during the storm, because of a failure in the generator. Best Wishes Moh'd JAS Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 19:35:09 EST From: GeoZay@aol.com Subject: [IMO-News] Leonid Report Nov 17/18, 1999 ZAYGE Hello Rainer.....here's my data for the night of Nov 17/18, 1999. I was near Ocotillo, Calif which is part of the Anza Borrego Desert. Longitude: 116 deg, Latitude: 32 deg 75' North. Elevation: approximately 500 feet....George Zay(ZAYGE) Observations began at 9h33 UT and ended at 13h15 UT. Teff: 3.70 hrs. Periods Field of View Teff F LM LEO TAU Spor 9h33 - 10h33 85deg -2 1.0 1 6.0 22 6 5 10h33 - 11h33 85deg -2 1.0 1 6.0 50 3 1 11h33 - 12h33 105deg -5 1.0 1 6.0 49 1 3 12h33 - 13h15 115deg +5 0.70 1 5.60 32 0 1 Leonid Mean Magnitudes for each period: 9h33 - 10h33 = 2.63 10h33 - 11h33 = 2.08 11h33 - 12h33 = 2.55 12h33 - 13h15 = 2.31 Overall Magnitude Distributions: Leonids: 2(-5), 2(-3), 1(-2), 6(-1), 5(0), 14(+1), 35(+2), 55(+3), 25(+4), 7(+5) total: 152 = 2.37 Taurids: 1(-3), 1(-2), 1(0), 3(+2), 3(+3), 1(+4) Total: 10 = 1.4 sporadics: 1(-2), 1(+1), 3(+2), 3(+3), 2(+4) Total: 10 = 2.20 Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 03:11:48 +0100 (MET) From: "Marc.Gyssens" Subject: [IMO-News] Leonid activity update ------------------------------------- I M O S h o w e r C i r c u l a r ------------------------------------- LEONID Activity 1999 ==================== UPDATE ==================== New ZHR calculations have been made. On the one hand, newly received observations have been included, and, on the other hand, data based on estimated counts have been replaced by data based on actual counts. Visual observations of the 1999 Leonids revealed a distinctive peak with a ZHR of about 5000 on November 18, 2h04m +/-5m UT (solar longitude 235.286 +/- 0.004, eq. 2000.0). Ten minutes earlier, at 1h53m +/- 5m UT (solar longitude 235.278 +/- 0.004, eq. 2000.0), the ZHR profile shows a secondary peak with of ZHR of about 3500. This secondary peak does not only occur in the combined ZHR profile below, but also in the ZHR profile of several individual observers, and is therefore probably real. Apart from this secondary peak, the ZHR profile looks remarkably smooth, even at the level of 5-minute intervals. ZHR levels were above 1000 from roughly 1h20m UT to 2h45m UT corresponding to 235.26 to 235.31 degrees in solar longitude. All observers who were able to view the peak under good sky conditions reported an abundance of faint meteors and a relative absence of fireballs. Some observers noticed a drop in the population index (i.e., a larger fraction of brighter meteors) after the peak. Reports from Mohammad Odeh (Jordanian Astronomical Society), Casper ter Kuile (Dutch Meteor Society, observing near Valencia, Spain), and Ilan Manulis (Israel) are very consistent with the picture sketched above. In addition, radio data from K. Maegawa (Toyokawa Meteor Observatory, Aichi, Japan) reported by Kazuhiro Suzuki and the backscatter radar data from Ondrejov Observatory (Czech Republic) reported by Petr Pridal and Rosta Stork yield a peak time between 2h00m UT and 2h10m UT. It seems that the peak time of 2h08m UT predicted by Asher/McNaught is confirmed within a margin of at most a few minutes, although the observed activity is significantly higher. It is reasonable to conclude that the peak activity has been caused by the 3-revolutions old dust trail of 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. The following observers (with their observing sites, not their nationality or country of residence) have contributed data immediately after the event, from which the ZHR profile given below has been derived: Rainer Arlt (Spain), Felix Betonvil (Canary Islands), C.L. Chan (China), Mark Davis (USA), Asdai Diaz (Cuba), Yuwei Fan (China), Fei Gao (China), Lew Gramer (USA), Rafael Haag (Brazil), Dave Hostetter (USA), Andre Knoefel (Spain), Detlef Koschny (Spain), Wen Kou (China), Alastair McBeath (UK), Alfredo Pereira (Portugal), Josep Ma. Trigo-Rodriguez (Spain), Helena Valero-Rodriguez (Spain), Renke Song (China), Wanfang Song (China), Jan Verbert (France), Catarina Vitorino (Portugal), Jean-Marc Wislez (France), Mariusz Wisniewski (Poland), Dan Xia (China), Dongyan Zha (China), Jinghui Zhang (China), Yan Zhang (China), Jin Zhu (China). (For groups of observers, only the name of the contributing observers have been mentioned.) Date Period (UT) Time (UT) Sol. Long. ZHR +/- ----------------------------------------------------------- Nov 17 0600-1000 0800 234.527 16 2 Nov 17 1600-2010 1805 234.951 30 5 Nov 17 1900-2200 2030 235.052 53 14 Nov 17 2300-2400 2330 235.178 82 6 Nov 18 0000-0050 0026 235.217 210 60 Nov 18 0030-0100 0048 235.233 370 80 Nov 18 0050-0130 0110 235.248 560 90 Nov 18 0115-0145 0132 235.263 1160 180 Nov 18 0139-0155 0148 235.275 2360 600 Nov 18 0145-0200 0153 235.278 3430 750 Nov 18 0154-0205 0158 235.282 2820 550 Nov 18 0159-0209 0204 235.286 5400 880 Nov 18 0200-0215 0209 235.289 3540 580 Nov 18 0212-0233 0222 235.298 2110 580 Nov 18 0223-0247 0238 235.310 1140 280 Nov 18 0244-0320 0257 235.323 690 150 Nov 18 0315-0400 0340 235.353 240 60 Nov 18 0347-0505 0423 235.383 153 59 Nov 18 0512-0712 0557 235.449 61 12 Nov 18 0700-1100 0905 235.581 44 5 ZHRs are computed with a population index of 2.0, zenithal exponent of 1.0. --- Marc Gyssens, 1999 November 18, 7h UT. wgn@imo.net --- Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 03:43:11 +0100 (MET) From: "Marc.Gyssens" Subject: [IMO-News] Leonid activity update - erratum and final RCN remarks The abovementioned update is based on information at my disposal on 1999 November 19, 0h UT. Sorry for forgetting to update the date! Unless very unusual activity would still develop, or very unusual features in the activity profile would reveal themselves in the very near future, this is the last message you will receive from me in the context of rapid dissemination of first results on the 1999 Leonid peak. I think I may say that the efoort the IMO undertook in this respect was quite successful. I wish to thank all observers who volunteered to fit in real-time communication in their busy observing schedule or who emailed me data at a time their bodies were telling them they should go to bed; I also thank all observers who were very eager to contribute to the IMO's efforts to have first results out immediately after the event, but who were prevented from doing so due to poor weather. During the last few days, I received quite a lot of moral support from meteor workers encouraging us to go ahead with our initiative or thanking us for the information received. In turn, I thank them on behalf of the IMO for their encouragement. Finally, I also thank all other observers who sent out reports of whatever nature; these reports have also been very instrumental, because they have allowed us to establish the validdity of our first conclusions. Last not but least, I thank all subscribers to IMO News and MeteorObs for exercising restraint in accessing the IMO Web site for news they received anyway via these mailing lists; they have contributed to preventing a crash of the Web site like last year. I apologize to all surfers, because I had to disable Web site access several times during short periods (mostly when most of you were out observing...) for maintenance purposes or to make sure other important computer tasks (such as making rapid communication of results possible ...) were not compromised. To all of you, my sincerest thanks; the 1999 Leonids IMO Rapid Communication Network was a most gratifying experience to me! Kind regards, Marc Gyssens wgn@imo.net PS. From now on, do not longer use gyssens@hcoss.uia.ac.be! Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 22:52:34 -0500 From: Jim Richardson Subject: [IMO-News] AMS 1999 Leonids Updates page Hello all, A preliminary, but enjoyable collection of narrative accounts of the 1999 Leonids, especially the peak day, has been compiled at: http://www.amsmeteors.org/leo99update.html My thanks to all of you who have shared with us accounts of your observations over the last few days -- regardless of whether you were one of the lucky ones to enjoy the spectacle, stood frustrated looking up at un penetrable clouds, or contributed lonely observations from some part of the globe not blessed with all of the excitement. All of these are part of the story. Best regards, Jim James Richardson Department of Physics Florida State University (FSU) Operations Manager American Meteor Society (AMS) http://www.amsmeteors.org Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 06:51:47 +0100 From: Rosta Stork Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids 18/19 Nov - radar Dear friends, very low activity was detected by Ondrejov radar at night 18/19 Nov. http://sunkl.asu.cas.cz/~stork/leonids.html Petr Pridal Rosta Stork Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 11:01:44 +0000 From: "[iso-8859-1] Víctor R. Ruiz" Subject: [IMO-News] Leo 17-18, Gran Canaria Hi: As promised, here are my reduced observations. Date (y/m/d): 1999/11/17-18 Begin (UT): 01:00 End (UT) : 01:50 Site : Mogan, Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) IMO Code : 15513 Longitude : 15 34'O Latitude : +27 45'N 50 Observer : Victor Raul Ruiz Ruiz IMO Code : RUIVI Periods RA Dec Teff F lm LEO SPO (UT) (d) (d) (h) M/N M/N 0119 0130 142 +10 0.18 1.00 6.00 C 5 C 1 0130 0140 142 +10 0.16 0.80 6.00 C 18 C 3 0140 0150 142 +10 0.16 0.50 6.00 C 5 C 1 Totals 0.51 6.00 28 5 LEO >-6(0.0) -5(0.0) -4(0.0) -3(0.0) -2(0.0) -1(0.0) 0(4.0) 1(7.0) 2(3.0) 3(5.0) 4(7.0) 5(2.0) 6(0.0) 7(0.0) mean: 2.36 SPO >-6(0.0) -5(0.0) -4(0.0) -3(0.0) -2(0.0) -1(0.0) 0(0.0) 1(1.0) 2(2.0) 3(0.0) 4(1.0) 5(1.0) 6(0.0) 7(0.0) Date (y/m/d): 1999/11/17-18 Begin (UT): 04:00 End (UT) : 05:00 Site : Arinaga, Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) IMO Code : 15513 Longitude : 15 34'O Latitude : +27 45'N 50 Observer : Victor Raul Ruiz Ruiz IMO Code : RUIVI Periods RA Dec Teff F lm LEO SPO (UT) (d) (d) (h) M/N M/N 0400 0411 142 +10 0.18 1.43 5.50 C 24 C 3 0411 0431 142 +10 0.33 1.43 5.50 C 15 - 0 0431 0440 142 +10 0.15 1.67 5.50 C 9 C 1 0440 0450 142 +10 0.16 1.00 5.50 C 8 - 0 0450 0500 142 +10 0.16 2.00 5.50 C 8 C 1 Totals 0.98 1.49 5.50 64 5 LEO >-6(0.0) -5(0.0) -4(0.0) -3(0.0) -2(0.5) -1(4.0) 0(10.0) 1(10.5) 2(9.5) 3(13.5) 4(11.0) 5(5.0) 6(0.0) 7(0.0) mean: 2.09 SPO >-6(0.0) -5(0.0) -4(0.0) -3(0.0) -2(0.0) -1(0.0) 0(1.0) 1(0.0) 2(1.0) 3(1.0) 4(1.0) 5(1.0) 6(0.0) 7(0.0) Good nights... of good observing! Víctor R. Ruiz rvr@idec.es Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 14:37:04 +0200 (EET) From: Helle Jaaniste Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids from Estonia Raport IMO-le leoniidide asjus ---------------------------------- Leonids from Estonia We suceeded to observe the Leonid storm from Janeda, Estonia, 59.246 deg north, 25.704 deg east. The sky was mostly cloudy in Estonia, but it opened exactly at the predicted time, about 1.55 UT and was clear till 03.00 UT, when the clouds moving from SW covered it again. Results: Site: 25o42'E; 59o14'N; Weather: cirrus, mist, stars dimmer than 4th magnitude hardly visible. Counts: Date Observer Alpha Delta Start End Teff AvLM F LEO 18.11 Helle Jaaniste 6h +10 02.20 02.45 0.42 4.0 1 111 02.45 03.00 0.25 3.5 0.8 30 18.11 Maris Kuperjanov 12h +50 02.07 02.17 0.17 4.0 1 21 02.17 02.27 0.17 3.5 0.7 10 02.27 02.37 0.17 3.5 0.7 19 02.37 02.47 0.17 3.5 0.5 9 02.47 02.57 0.17 4.0 0.8 20 02.57 03.02 0.10 3.5 0.5 5 ================================ 02.07 03.02 0.93 3.7 0.7 84 18.11 Markko Meriniit 7h +20 02.07 02.17 0.17 4.2 1 30 02.17 02.27 0.17 4.2 1 47 02.27 02.37 0.17 4.2 1 39 02.37 02.47 0.17 4.2 1 34 02.47 02.57 0.17 4.2 1 32 =============================== 02.07 02.57 0.83 4.2 1 182 2. Magnitude distribution: Date Observer Alp Del Sta End -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 18.11 H. Jaaniste 6h +10 02.20 03.00 1 - 1 - 1 7 28 63 30 An extremly bright fireball (-8/-10m) has been seen at (about) 2.15 UT low at NNW, partly in clouds where no stars were visible. Helle Jaaniste helle@obs.ee Tartu Tahetorn http://www.obs.ee Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 20:55:58 +0900 From: Kazuhiro_Suzuki Subject: [IMO-News] HRO Today, Japan, 11/19 HRO Today, Japan at 05h UT on Nov.18, 1999 Kazuhiro Suzuki E-mail: kazuhiro@suzuki.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm "Radio Meteor Data, JAPAN" The leonids meteor shower was slightly active during 17h-20h on November 18 UT, 1999, in Japan. The Leonids meteor activity was detected by monitoring forward-scattered meteor echoes of 50 MHz HAM radio wave (JA9YDB, 53.7500 MHz, 50W, transmitted by K.Maegawa) at Toyokawa Meteor Observatory, Aichi, Japan. Corrected maximum hourly rate of echoes reached to over 80 +-9. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// LT 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 UT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------- November,1999 15/ 30 32 38 40 49 32@38 35 38@34@24 32 30 28 28 21 17 16 17 19 23 21 15@14 1 1 1 1 16/ 27 33 36 35 34 31 29 IF IF@27 33 28 26 27@18 IF IF IF IF IF IF Es 21@24 @3 3 17/ 35 45 49 60 36 29 37 41 35 IF IF@24 28 20 23 24 18 20 16@18 16 25 26@16 2 1 2 18/ 28 56 56 62 33 31 49 57 50 72107121 26 24 18 18 15 16 11 13 20 23 25@24 1 1 5 1 4 5 10 19 23 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 19/ 38 50 63 84 60 43 37 55 48 61 28 33 23 19 18 16 15 18 1 3 3 8 6 1 5 3 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 --------------------------------------------------------------------- @symbol means corrected hourly rate. Es symbol means interruption by Sporadic E layer. IF symbol means interference by foreign broadcasting. up/middle/down : hourly rate of all echoes / hourly rate of long(> 20 sec.) / hourly rate of long(> 60 sec.) echoes ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Observer: Kazuhiro Suzuki Location: Toyokawa Meteor Observatory (137.32 deg E, 34.81 deg N) Toyokawa-city, Aichi, 442-0845, JAPAN Transmitter: JA9YDB 53.7500 MHz, CW 50 W operated by Mr. Kimio Maegawa(Fukui National College of Technology) Receiver: IC-575 (ICOM) LSB BW 2.5 kHz Antenna: Dipole (height 7 m, to zenith) Transmitter location: Sabae (in Fukui pref.), about 150 km north north-west from receiving station. Method of echo sampling: After image procedure by PC with FFT software, echoes(>10 dB(S/N)) were counted. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 16:16:26 +0100 From: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Subject: [IMO-News] More Leonids SPMN data Dear colleagues, Below are you results from other SPMN observer. Observer: Carles Pineda Ferré Observing site: Figueres (Alt Empordà), Spain Longitude: E 2° 58 30" latitude: 42° 15' 20''N , Altitude: 20 m. November 18th 1999 METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F LEO NTA STA MON SPO 0015-0115 1.0 4.90 1.00 35 2 - - - 0115-0215 1.0 5.00 1.00 203 - - - - 0215-0310 1.10 5.10 1.00 126 - - - - 0310-0400 1.00 5.10 1.00 47 1 - - - Center field of view(0015h - 0315 h): Capella (alfa aurigae) Center (0315h - 0400 h): Castor (alfa geminis) METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(total number, number of persistent trains) Leonids (LEO): -4 (2, 2 trained, first 5 seconds train, second 3 seconds train), -3 (2, 2 trained, first 3 seconds train, second 2 seconds train), -2 (10, 6 trained),-1(35, 27 trained.), 0(82, 65 trained), +1(98, 62 trained), +2(152, 98 trained), +3(30, 12 trained); North Taurids (NTA): +2(1), +1 (1), 0(1) ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez -Dept. Astronomia i Astrofísica, Universitat de València -Dept. Ciències Experimentals, Universitat Jaume I -MUNDO CIENTIFICO (la Recherche) E-mail: jmtrigo@ctv.es Web page: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones: (+Spain Code 34) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 Postal address: c/ Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) SPAIN ******************************************************************* Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 10:04:14 -0500 From: Mark Davis Subject: [IMO-News] 1999 Leonid Observations - NAMN I have posted a listing of Leonid observations for November 17/18 at the website of the North American Meteor Network (NAMN). This listing includes reports I have received up to this point from NAMN members. Observations of members who have not yet submitted a report will added as they are received. Due to an overwhelming response in favor of uncorrected observing periods, no corrections or adjustments to the data have been made. The listings are as the observer saw it, and as they reported it. Mark Davis, MeteorObs@charleston.net Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA Coordinator, North American Meteor Network ======================================================= NAMN: http://web.infoave.net/~meteorobs ======================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 15:26:30 -0500 From: paul roggemans <100427.3075@compuserve.com> Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids from Belgium Despite apparently hopeless bad weather over Belgium on November 17, the sky cleared out and it was impossible not to notice the unusual meteor activity in the light polluted city sky. Around 2h UT the Leonids performed in a spectacular way and as the sky had improved so much I decided to attempt counting: these are my results: Observing place Mechelen Belgium 4d28' E , 51d00' N Nov.18 02h02 - 02h19 20% cloud lm = 5.0 0.28 h 99 Leonids 1 non Leonid Nov.18 02h20 - 03h00 30% cloud lm = 4,75 0.67 h 90 Leonids 2 non Leonid The best rates I have ever seen under such poor sky conditions! The lm was very variable during the observed period due to illuminated low passing thin clouds and this makes the lm value uncertain and likely biased by the better values in the most transparant parts of the sky. I had the feeling to see a replay of the 1993-Perseids which I observed at their best under almost perfect sky, but the current Leonid display was seen under poor circumstances. The 'real' Leonid rates at perfect sky may have been well 10x higher. Despite a good number of bright Leonids, mostly faint Leonids were counted and fireballs were completely absent as seen from here. After 3h UT more clouds moved in but the number of Leonids was much lower. Through this way I wish to express my gratitude to the IMO-staff for their fast, effective reporting service, which is a tremendeous effort. Thanks also to the enthousiastic observing groups worldwide who report to the IMO! This is a situation meteor astronomers could only dream about as little as 10 years ago. Paul Roggemans Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 23:54:34 +0200 From: Alex Mikishev Subject: [IMO-News] Israel: more than 2000 bright meteors during 3 hours Unforgetable meteor show was observed in Israel during night on November 17th and November 18th. The group of amateur astronomers located 30 km east from Tel-Aviv recorded more than 2,000 bright meteors between 0:00 UT and 3:00 UT on November 18. 1000 from them were calculated between 1:50 and 2:20 UT. The detail report will be compiled after matching this data with data of another groups over Israel. The nice sky probably helps to nice meteor photos. Non ordinary activity also was detected in the night after the storm. Alex Mikishev mikisal@inverness.co.il Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1999 12:21:22 +0900 From: "[ISO-2022-JP] ^[$B9bM|!!2m>4^[(B" Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids in Japan : visual observation re Leonids 1999 Visual results in Japan (The Nippon Meteor Society). [Update #1] ZHR has been computed with: - gamma = 1.0 (correction of Radiant elevation) - r = 2.0 (equal "IMO Shower Circular,LEONID Activity 1999") - excluding:observations under unfavourable condition (T<30m, Lm<4.0mag, Cl>0.4, RP-h<10deg) - Err. : ZHR * 1/SQRT(#Leo) --------------------------------------------------------- Time[UT] #Obs T.eff #Leo ZHR(Leo) Err. Remarks --------------------------------------------------------- Nov.16, 1999 15:30 2 2.00 0 0 - 16:30 13 12.30 85 40 4 17:30 17 13.88 82 21 2 18:30 25 22.53 146 24 2 19:30 16 13.73 67 17 2 Nov.17, 1999 16:30 1 0.92 1 26 26 17:30 0 0 - - - 18:30 3 1.92 28 48 9 19:30 2 1.00 57 154 20 20:15 3 1.67 81 132 15 Nov.18, 1999 15:30 15 12.00 293 323 19 16:30 17 14.28 824 341 12 17:30 21 16.90 1382 285 8 18:30 24 21.42 1856 233 5 19:30 16 14.63 1272 187 5 20:15 1 1.67 27 35 7 Nov.19, 1999 17:30 1 1.00 3 10 6 18:30 0 0 - - - 19:20 1 1.00 22 38 8 20:20 1 0.50 1 9 9 --------------------------------------------------------- Observers (52members) : Yuriko ABE, Seiji ABE, Sachiko AKIYAMA, Hirotaka CHINO, Nobuyuki FUKUDA, Keiichi FUKUI, Takema HASHIMOTO, Ohmi IIYAMA, Daiyu ITO, Kiyoshi IZUMI, Sachiko KAMIYAMA, Ken'ya KAWABATA, Seiichiro KIYOTA, Wakaba KOBAYASHI, Hiroyuki KODAMA, Karimu KURAGAKI, Koji MAEDA, Katsuhiko MAMETA, Yukihisa MATSUMOTO, Hiromi MITAMURA, Hidekatsu MIZOGUCHI, Ryosuke MORITA, Kiyohide NAKAMURA, Hiroyuki NAKAMURA, Akihiko OBAMA, Hiroshi OGAWA, Masayuki OKA, Hiroyuki OKAYASU, Hiroshi ONISHI, Masahiko OOBA, Kazuhiro OSADA, Hirohisa SATO, Koetsu SATO, Mikiya SATO, Takashi SEKIGUCHI, Hirotaka SERIZAWA, Yasuo SHIBA, Ken'ichi SHIBATA, Hiroyuki SHIOI, Kazuhiro SUMIE, Akiko TAKEUCHI, Syoichi TANAKA, Kazumi TERAKUBO, Yasuhiro TONOMURA, Takuo TORIGOE, Shigeo UCHIYAMA, Kazuyuki YAMADA, Ikuo YAMAMOTO, Masayuki YAMAMOTO(Miyagi), Masayuki YAMAMOTO(Aichi), Satomi YOKOCHI, Seiichi YOSHIDA Total observations (Nov.12-17) : 11,667 minutes (=194.45h) Total number of Leonids meteors (Nov.12-17) : 6,504 See more details showing at : http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/index_e.html http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/nmsnews_e.html http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/leo9901.gif http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/leo9902.gif ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Masaaki Takanashi (The Nippon Meteor Society / Gotemba city, JAPAN) E-Mail : QGA00120@nifty.ne.jp The Nippon Meteor Society's Web page : http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~nms/index_e.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1999 17:42:01 +0900 From: Kazuhiro_Suzuki Subject: [IMO-News] 11/20, HRO Today, Japan HRO Today, Japan Nov.20, 1999 Kazuhiro Suzuki E-mail: kazuhiro@suzuki.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm "Radio Meteor Data, JAPAN" /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// LT 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 UT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------- November,1999 16/ 27 33 36 35 34 31 29 IF IF@27 33 28 26 27@18 IF IF IF IF IF IF Es 21@24 @3 3 17/ 35 45 49 60 36 29 37 41 35 IF IF@24 28 20 23 24 18 20 16@18 16 25 26@16 2 1 2 18/ 28 56 56 62 33 31 49 57 50 72107121 26 24 18 18 15 16 11 13 20 23 25@24 1 1 5 1 4 5 10 19 23 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 2 19/ 38 50 63 84 60 43 37 55 48 61 28 33 23 19 18 16 15 18 16 14@21 24 IF IF 1 3 3 8 6 1 5 3 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 20/ 24 41 38 49 49 40 32@37@34 IF 34 40 27 27 24 15@21 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 --------------------------------------------------------------------- @symbol means corrected hourly rate. Es symbol means interruption by Sporadic E layer. IF symbol means interference by foreign broadcasting. up/middle/down : hourly rate of all echoes / hourly rate of long(> 20 sec.) / hourly rate of long(> 60 sec.) echoes ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Observer: Kazuhiro Suzuki Location: Toyokawa Meteor Observatory (137.32 deg E, 34.81 deg N) Toyokawa-city, Aichi, 442-0845, JAPAN Transmitter: JA9YDB 53.7500 MHz, CW 50 W operated by Mr. Kimio Maegawa(Fukui National College of Technology) Receiver: IC-575 (ICOM) LSB BW 2.5 kHz Antenna: Dipole (height 7 m, to zenith) Transmitter location: Sabae (in Fukui pref.), about 150 km north north-west from receiving station. Method of echo sampling: After image procedure by PC with FFT software, echoes(>10 dB(S/N)) were counted. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1999 11:53:51 +0100 From: "[iso-8859-1] Josep Mª Trigo i Rodriguez" Subject: [IMO-News] Leonid observation 16-17th Nov. Observer: Carles Pineda Ferré Observing site: Figueres (Alt Empordà), Spain Longitude: E 2° 58 30" latitude: 42° 15' 20''N , Altitude: 20 m. November 16-17th 1999 METEOR SHOWERS Interval TU Teff Lm F LEO NTA STA MON SPO 0135-0205 1.0 5.30 1.00 6 1 0 0 0 0205-0255 1.20 5.00 1.00 4 1 0 0 0 0255-0340 1.10 4.70 1.00 4 1 1 0 0 Center field of view(02 h): Capella (alfa aurigae) Center (03h): Castor (alfa geminis) METEOR MAGNITUDE DISTRIBUTION: magnitude vs.(total number, number of persistent trains) Leonids (LEO): -1(3, 3 trained.), 0(3, 2 trained), +1(2, 1 trained), +2(2, 1 trained), +3(2, 1 trained), North Taurids (NTA): -1 (2), 0(1), South Taurids (STA):+1(1), ******************************************************************* Josep Ma. Trigo i Rodriguez -Dept. Astronomia i Astrofísica, Universitat de València -Dept. Ciències Experimentals, Universitat Jaume I -MUNDO CIENTIFICO (la Recherche) E-mail: jmtrigo@ctv.es Web page: http://www.ctv.es/USERS/jmtrigo Phones: (+Spain Code 34) 964 - 282584 / 282968 (office) (964) 395064 (part.) Fax: 964 - 285161 Postal address: c/ Manuel de Falla 26, 12.560 Benicassim (Castello) SPAIN ******************************************************************* Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1999 17:27:00 +0100 (CET) From: Marco Langbroek Subject: 1999 Leonid storm; WOW!!!!!! Hi! I just returned from our Leonid campaign. We had to travel 600 km south by car, into Spain, from our initial location in SW France, on the day of November 17, because of the weather. At the small village of Xalos, some 80 km south of Valencia, we observed the most impressive meteor display I ever experienced, under a completely clear sky. Near 2:00-2:30 UT (Nov. 18), Leonids appeared at an average rate of some 30-40 per minute, equivalent (very roughly) to a ZHR near 4000. Due to the Poisson-distribution, we experienced small burst in which sometimes 5-6 Leonids appeared at one instance, shooting away in all directions. The sight was astonishing, and we actually had a hard time keeping up with counting; this really was at the limit of our grasping abilities. I suggest this certainly may be called a 'storm'. It was amazing, meteors appeared everywhere in the sky, and each few minutes I had to take a short break in counting to 'regain my breath' a little bit. Marvelous! One thing that struck, by the way, was the complete lack of bright Leonids, especially given the high activity level. We did not see any Leonids brighter than -3 to -4, and those only in minute quantities. It reminds me of the alfa Monocerotids where a similar phenomenon was apparent (see our paper in ApJ 479 (1997), 441-447). We have operated a multi-station photographic and video network this night, with a second station (stations equiped with automated camera platforms with 25 photo-cameras at each site, as well as image-intensified video at each site) some 80 km North of us. We expect to have obtained a large number (>200?) of high accuracy orbits of Leonid meteoroids. More results will follow later, after I have had time to carefully assemble the data from my tapes. At the end of the night, we all were exhausted, physically, and mentally. I personally certainly did experience some effect on my consciousness and functioning; during the peak, my recorder suddenly jammed, causing an unrestrained reaction of panic with me. It took me several minutes just to have my brain realize that it was just a matter of a full tape that had to be replaced. Under these conditions, you just can't think straight anymore, it seems.... These impressive phenomenon really get on you! Just as a historic note, and to point out the uniqueness of what happened this night of 17-18 November 1999; rates at at least a similar level or better have only been observed with certainty 3 times earlier this century (Draconids of 1933 and 1946, and Leonids of 1966). The only thing that in my opinion can match this meteor storm in impressiveness, is a solar eclipse. Forget about Hale-Bopp etc.; for me, THIS was THE celestial event of the nineties! Regards! - Marco ------------------------------------------------------------- drs Marco Langbroek University of Leiden Faculty of Archaeology P.O. Box 9515 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands marcolan@stad.dsl.nl meteorites@dmsweb.org private: Jan Steenlaan 46, 2251 JH Voorschoten, Netherlands ------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1999 21:52:37 +0100 (MET) From: "Marc.Gyssens" Subject: [IMO-News] call for observing report + newly updated Leonid circular CALL FOR LEONID OBSERVATIONS ! ============================== We found it necessary to produce one more update of the IMO Leonid Shower Circular. Reading it gives you a taste of what a proper global data analysis may yield in terms of confirming features of existing models and revealing new features which will allow meteor astronomers to refine these models for the upcoming storm years! Making such a global analysis will be the next endeavor of the IMO, as the rough techniques used for rapid information dissemination have now been stretched to their limits. A preliminary such analysis is planned to go in the December issue of WGN and should therefore be completed in less than 2 (!) weeks! Therefore it is important the IMO Visual Commission receives the full reports of observers as soon as possible! Send your observations to Rainer Arlt at visual@imo.net or in any other way you are accustomed to. When preparing your reports, mind the following two issues: 1) Report in narrow time intervals! It is in particular recommended - to the extent possible - to report 1-minute intervals (or shorter!) for the full hour between 1h30m and 2h30m UT. There are reasons to suspect minor peaks in this interval besides the two reported on in the Circular. These minor peaks will be smoothed out if you report in wider intervals - with 5-minute intervals, they disappear! Only if you report in narrower intervals will we be able to see which of these minor peaks are real and which are merely statistical fluctuations. Also for the remainder of the activity, report in narrow intervals, the length of which must be chosen depending on the number of meteors seen! Ideally, none of these interval should contain more than 10 meteors! 2) It goes without saying that magnitude distributions - which were not required in the "express reports" - must be included! Without these magnitude distributions, it is not possible to compute the population index - a measure for the ratio between fainter and brighter meteors - and its variation throughout the Leonid activity. This information is vital to compute a correct ZHR profile! 3) Mention the center of your field of view! Also notice that the cloud/obstruction correction factor refers to the field of view ONLY! Clouds outside the field of view must NOT be accounted for! Many of the above recommendations can also be found in Rainer Arlt's article "Hints for Visual 1999 Leonid Observations" which was sent out via the IMO News and MeteorObs mailing lists and which is printed in the October issue of WGN. We already thank those observers who have not awaited this message to send in their complete data; the others we thank in advance for their prompt cooperation! Kind regards, Rainer Arlt Marc Gyssens UPDATED SHOWER CIRCULAR ======================= We added some data at the beginning and the end of last circular's activity profile. It is interesting to see that the 1h53m UT secondary peak may correspond to the 1-revolution old dust trail (although Asher and McNaught did not expect activity from this trail, they quote exactly this time as nodal crossing time for the 1-revolution old trail). Also, there is evidence for enhanced activity on November 18 between 15h and 20h UT (in the order of magnitude of 100+), which in turn corresponds to a prediction by Emel'yanenko based on an older dust trail. These two features only give a taste of what is still to come once a global analysis is underway! ------------------------------------- I M O S h o w e r C i r c u l a r ------------------------------------- LEONID Activity 1999 ==================== *** 2nd UPDATE *** ==================== ZHRs pertaining to the pre- and post-peak activity of the Leonids have been added. Additional comparisons with other observational reports have been made. Some cautious interpretations are suggested. Visual observations of the 1999 Leonids revealed a distinctive peak with a ZHR above 5000 on November 18, 2h04m +/-5m UT (solar longitude 235.286 +/- 0.004, eq. 2000.0). It seems that the peak time of 2h08m UT predicted by Asher/McNaught is confirmed within a margin of at most a few minutes, although the observed activity is significantly higher. It is reasonable to conclude that the peak activity has been caused by the 3-revolutions old dust trail of 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. All observers who were able to view the peak under good sky conditions reported an abundance of faint meteors and a relative absence of fireballs. If this impression is real, taking it into account may result in ZHR values somewhat higher than those quoted below. Ten minutes before the abovementioned peak time, at 1h53m +/- 5m UT (solar longitude 235.278 +/- 0.004, eq. 2000.0), the ZHR profile shows a secondary peak with of ZHR of about 3500. This secondary peak does not only occur in the combined ZHR profile below, but also in the ZHR profile of several individual observers, and is therefore probably real. Asher and McNaught mentioned 1h53m UT as the nodal crossing time for the 1-revolution old trail, but did not expect activity from it. ZHR levels were above 1000 from roughly 1h20m UT to 2h45m UT (solar longitude 235.26-235.31, eq. 2000). Apart from the secondary peak mentioned above, the ZHR profile around the peak time looks remarkably smooth, even at the level of 5-minute intervals. However, observers in the French Provence report that, at the level of 1-minute intervals, additional minor peaks are visible between 1h30m UT and 2h30m UT. Whether these are significant will be one of the issues in a forthcoming detailed first global analysis. Some observers noticed a drop in the population index (i.e., a larger fraction of brighter meteors) after the peak. Reports from Mohammad Odeh (Jordanian Astronomical Society), Casper ter Kuile (Dutch Meteor Society, observing near Valencia, Spain), Mark Kidger (Canary Islands), and Ilan Manulis and Alex Mikishev (Israel) are very consistent with the picture sketched above. In addition, radio data from K. Maegawa (Toyokawa Meteor Observatory, Aichi, Japan) reported by Kazuhiro Suzuki and the backscatter radar data from Ondrejov Observatory (Czech Republic) reported by Petr Pridal and Rosta Stork yield a peak time between 2h00m UT and 2h10m UT. When the Americans took over from the Europeans on November 18 UT, activity stayed stable with a ZHR of 56 +/- 2 between 0500 UT and 1400 UT (solar longitude 235.409-235.787, eq. 2000.0). The ZHR during the interval between 1400 UT and 1500 UT, however, doubles in the observations of Hawaiian-based Jim Bedient. Kun Zhou reports ZHRs above 100 for the interval between 1625 UT and 1936 UT (solar longitude 235.889-236.023, eq. 2000.0). Masaaki Takanashi of the Nippon Meteor Society reports ZHRs above 100 between 1500 UT and 2000 UT (solar longitude 235.829-236.040); in the first half of this period even up to around 300. Rates drop sharply towards the end of the Japanese observing window. ZHRs during the West-European observing window of November 18/19 were consistently around 25. This is consistent with very low activity registered by the Ondrejov radar that night, as reported by Pridal and Stork. Although the available data are not yet conclusive, it seems that there are consistent indications for enhanced activity with ZHRs around or above 100 between November 18, 1500 UT and 2000 UT (solar longitude 235.829-236.040, eq. 2000.0). It is interesting to note that Emel'yanenko predicted a small secondary peak on November 18.7 UT due to an older duster trail. Emel'yanenko also expects significant Leonid activity on November 19.7-19.8 UT (solar longitude 236.960, eq. 2000.0). Whether or not this activity materializes, and whether any other peaks in the observed activity profile exist, can only be revealed by a detailed global analysis of data, which is forthcoming. The following observers (with their observing sites, not their nationality or country of residence) have contributed data immediately after the event, from which the ZHR profile given below has been derived: Rainer Arlt (Spain), Jim Bedient (Hawaii), Felix Betonvil (Canary Islands), C.L. Chan (China), Mark Davis (USA), Asdai Diaz (Cuba), Yuwei Fan (China), Fei Gao (China), Lew Gramer (USA), Rafael Haag (Brazil), Wayne T. Hally (USA), Dave Hostetter (USA), Andre Knoefel (Spain), Detlef Koschny (Spain), Wen Kou (China), Alastair McBeath (UK), Alfredo Pereira (Portugal), Josep Ma. Trigo-Rodriguez (Spain), Helena Valero-Rodriguez (Spain), James Smith (Canada), Renke Song (China), Wanfang Song (China), Jan Verbert (France), Catarina Vitorino (Portugal), Jean-Marc Wislez (France), Mariusz Wisniewski (Poland), Dan Xia (China), Kim S. Youmans (USA), Dongyan Zha (China), Jinghui Zhang (China), Yan Zhang (China), Kun Zhou (China), Jin Zhu (China). (For groups of observers, only the name of the contributing observers have been mentioned.) Date Period (UT) Time (UT) Sol. Long. ZHR +/- ----------------------------------------------------------- Nov 17 0057-0545 0339 234.344 14 2 Nov 17 0600-1000 0800 234.527 16 2 Nov 17 1600-2010 1805 234.951 30 5 Nov 17 1900-2200 2030 235.052 53 14 Nov 17 2300-2400 2330 235.178 82 6 Nov 18 0000-0050 0026 235.217 210 60 Nov 18 0030-0100 0048 235.233 370 80 Nov 18 0050-0130 0110 235.248 560 90 Nov 18 0115-0145 0132 235.263 1160 180 Nov 18 0139-0155 0148 235.275 2360 600 Nov 18 0145-0200 0153 235.278 3430 750 Nov 18 0154-0205 0158 235.282 2820 550 Nov 18 0159-0209 0204 235.286 5400 880 Nov 18 0200-0215 0209 235.289 3540 580 Nov 18 0212-0233 0222 235.298 2110 580 Nov 18 0223-0247 0238 235.310 1140 280 Nov 18 0244-0320 0257 235.323 690 150 Nov 18 0315-0400 0340 235.353 240 60 Nov 18 0347-0505 0423 235.383 153 59 Nov 18 0500-0630 0537 235.435 57 11 Nov 18 0609-0800 0656 235.490 62 11 Nov 18 0711-0900 0756 235.532 51 9 Nov 18 0812-0925 0847 235.568 57 4 Nov 18 0901-1100 0958 235.618 59 9 Nov 18 1100-1400 1254 235.741 56 4 Nov 18 1400-1500 1430 235.808 90 12 Nov 18 1625-1936 1825 235.973 106 13 Nov 19 0018-0445 0306 236.338 23 2 --- Marc Gyssens, 1999 November 20, 18h UT wgn@imo.net --- Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 14:28:09 -0000 From: "Dr. Ali Mohammad Al-Shukri" Subject: [IMO-News] Re: (meteorobs) call for observing report + newly updated Leonid circular Observation of the Leonids 99 on Nov. 18, 1999 (Eastern Part of Saudi Arabia) Observers: Dr. Ali Mohammad Al-Shukri et al. (Group of 12) Physics Department, KFUPM Box # 378, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia (The sky was divided into four sections and each subgroup counted number of meteors radiated from Leo in that section, then the numbers added for the total) Location: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Lat. 26deg 19m 30s N - Lon. 50deg 09m 30s E Session # 1 (light pollution, clear sky) ^Ö Group of 12 Date : 17 ^Ö Nov ^Ö 1999 Start: 2255 UT - End : 2355 UT Lm=4.0 Total Leo meteors observed : 45 Session # 2 (some light pollution, clear sky) - Group of 10 Date : 18 ^Ö Nov ^Ö 1999 Start: 0000 UT - End : 0105 UT Lm=4.5 Total Leo meteors observed : 382 Session # 3 (little light pollution, clear sky) - Group of 12 Date : 18 ^Ö Nov ^Ö 1999 Start: 0110 UT - End : 0230 UT Lm=5.0 Total Leo meteors observed : 1116 ( No fireballs or bolides) Total Teff : 03 h : 25 m Colors: white, Bluish white, yellowish white, off white ------------------------------------------------------- Magnitude Distribution -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- Session #1 1 2 4 5 5 6 6 6 6 4 0 Session #2 3 5 10 12 20 77 75 80 60 40 0 Session #3 7 25 60 90 99 141 138 130 145 126 155 Some of my friends from Western part of Saudi Arabia (long. < 39 deg E) claim that the rate between 2:00 UT and 3:00 UT was beween 10 and 30 meteors per minute. Al-Shukri (alshukri@kfupm.edu.sa) ___________________________________ [ Dr. Ali Mohammad Al-Shukri ] [ Physics Department, KFUPM Box # 378 ] [ Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia ] [ email: alshukri@kfupm.edu.sa ] ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 17:06:10 +0300 From: Mohammad Odeh Subject: [IMO-News] Photos, Audio, and Radio Observations From Jordan (JAS) Hello, Now at JAS home page u can hear a clip of our audio observation, for how we were counting the meteors during the storm ! We always use tape recorder to record each meteor we see. In the sample you can hear the observer saying the magnitude of each observed meteor in Arabic. The file is 4-minute duration from 02:05 UT - 02:09 UT on 18 November 1999. Also, u may hear one of the echoes by radio observation, it is 28-second meteor echo ! Lastly, we have just added 6 photos for the meteors, one of which contains 70 meteors at least, and another one is fish eye ! Kindly have a look and we'll be glad to hear ur comments. All these can be found at: http://www.jas.org.jo/leo99r.html Best Wishes Moh'd -- ********************************************************************** Mohammad Shawkat Odeh. Jordanian Astronomical Society (JAS). Member of JAS Administrative Board. P.O. Box 925916 Amman 11110 Jordan. Fax: (001)(707) 221-0918. odeh@jas.org.jo http://Beam.to/odeh (Personal URL) http://www.jas.org.jo/ (JAS URL) ********************************************************************** Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 19:15:37 +0100 (CET) From: Marco Langbroek Subject: [IMO-News] Data and prelim. ZHR Leonid storm LANMA From: Marco Langbroek Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) Hello all, I finally have my data of the November 17-18 Leonid storm ready. Below, I will give a table with raw data, and: a PRELIMINARY ZHR curve from my data for the period 1:05-4:14 UT. Reduction procedure can be found in Peter Jenniskens paper in A&A 295 (1995), 206; and in my paper in Meteoritics & Planetary Science 34 (1999), 137. I used gamma=1.4 in radiant altitude correction, r=3.5 (as resulting from my mag. estimates: 3.5 +- 0.8. No magnitude data from period 1:49-2:49!!) in limiting magnitude correction, and my Cp is 1.4. ZHR's are only given for radiant elevations above 20 degrees. A fit to the ascending and descending branches gives a maximum at 2:03 UT with a maximum activity equivalent to a ZHR of about 3200. Indeed, this is where I have my highest count (39 Leonids in one minute at 2:03 UT, Lm +6.6; this one minute count taken face value provides a ZHR of 3587 +- 575). With an uncertainty of only a few minutes, David and Rob's peak prediction thus was correct. You only need to adjust your activity level prediction model slightly, Rob and David! The slopes of the peak are well defined, symmetric and suggest B=20 (see above papers). After 3:00 UT with ZHR's below 200, there is some indication of a background taking over. - Marco Langbroek Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) table below; given are time midst (UTC), effective time of interval in minutes; number of Leonids; ZHR ( - : ZHR not calculated, radiant below 20 degrees) obs: Marco Langbroek LANMA date: November 17-18, 1999 loc.: Xalos, Spain, 38d 43' 37" N, 00d 01' 30" E ----------------------------------------- UT min Nleo eZHR 23:58 45 9 - 00:33 20 14 - 00:58 13 17 - 01:10 9 34 640 +- 110 01:22 12 71 847 +- 100 01:33 10 68 761 +- 92 01:46 8 130 1736 +- 152 01:56 9 232 2468 +- 162 02:07 8 248 2815 +- 179 02:22 7 167 1845 +- 143 02:32 7 115 1191 +- 111 02:38 6 77 928 +- 106 02:53 10 82 533 +- 59 03:03 5 39 512 +- 82 03:11 9 53 305 +- 42 03:23 5 21 251 +- 55 03:38 10 35 185 +- 31 03:46 6 18 155 +- 31 04:05 6 14 115 +- 31 04:11 6 13 105 +- 29 ----------------------------------------- note: when plotted in a diagram with the ZHR axis logarithmic, the activity profile has a nice well defined shape! See also the A&A paper mentioned earlier. table: magnitude data (number of Leonids per magnitude class) --------------------------------------------------------------- -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 23:35-01:49 UT 1 2 8 4 17 51 102 89 41 20 02:49-04:14 UT 0 0 5 6 11 45 80 70 38 5 TOTAL 1 2 13 10 28 96 182 159 79 25 -------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 13:39:02 -0500 From: Jim Richardson Subject: [IMO-News] Final AMS Narrative Report Hello All, The final Internet version of my narrative report on the 1999 Leonids is now up at: http://www.amsmeteors.org/leo99update.html While revisions and updates to this report will be continued for inclusion in the next issue of Meteor Trails, this is my last planned revision for the AMS Website (I have school work to catch up on!). Below is an excerpt from the report conclusion that I wish to share: We would like to heartily thank the dozens of observers worldwide who either sent in their observing reports directly to the AMS or NAMN, or who made their observations available through one of the many astronomy Internet mailing lists. The speed with which all of the various meteor organizations were able to get out current information on the Leonids this year was unprecedented in the history of this field. While promoting and conducting good scientific data collection and data analysis in the area of meteor astronomy remains the primary mission of the AMS, it has been a very enjoyable experience to collect and organize the anecdotal accounts contained on this page. Along with their great scientific value, rare meteor shower outbursts have a historical value as well, and the personal accounts of what happened with real people on the night of such an outburst will be long remembered, along with the advances made in meteor science. -------- I would also like to especially thank Mark Gyssens and the IMO team members that stayed home and performed an outstanding job while allowing others to chase after the shower. Your news releases and extremely fast analysis were most appreciated. Best regards, Jim James Richardson Department of Physics Florida State University (FSU) Operations Manager American Meteor Society (AMS) http://www.amsmeteors.org Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 14:45:56 +0300 From: green hill Subject: [IMO-News] the lion roars over jordan hi every one, i am pleased to inform you of the jordanian campaign for the leonids this year. the campaign started with a conference for two days starting from 13-14 with the participation of many famous scientists and amateur astronomers such as david asher, robert mcnaught, georg dittie, danial fischer, and dr. paul koenrad, renne esser and urijan poerink from holland, and other participants from singapore, usa, and arab countries. a trip to petra was made on 15/11/99 and on 16/11, all participants left to the jordanian astronomical society permanent camp at al azraq area to observe the leonids. after setting the equipment for the night 16/17, every one was ready for the leonids, but 16-17 night did not show any specific activity. on 17/18, every one was hoping to see every some activity, after sunset, we could see some activity, but it was until 23.00 ut, where there was an increase in activity of the leonids. but the number of meteors were limited to around 15 - 20 meteor/ hour. on 00.00 ut, the leonids started falling from the sky, at an observed rate of 20 - 30 meteors / minute. the numbers of meteors was increasing minute by minute, until a peak around ~ 2.02 ut where meteors were falling like snow. at the peak time, there was around one meteor/ second observed rate. we could not follow the numbers of meteors since they were falling in all directions. meteors continued falling at a high rate but declining slowly, were it persisted at around 40 meteors / minute for a bout 20 minutes depending on my observations alone. on 2.35 ut dawn was apparent, but meteors were still falling at a high rate. observation stopped at 02.55 ut. full report is at jas web site : www.jas.org.jo . my full report for the imo will be sent soon ****************************** ENG. KHALED M. TELL HEAD OF METEOR OBSERVING COMMITTEE JORDANIAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY \ . | \ | . / | / . . / / . / | | . \ . | \ | \ ****************************** Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 19:56:06 +0100 From: Roberto Haver Subject: [IMO-News] Leonids observations in Siani, Egypt From: Roberto Haver, Unione Astrofili Italiana - section meteor Hello all, I have observation from Sinai, Egypt for 2 nights: 16-17/11/1999 Locality: Sharm El-Sheikh, Sinai (Egypt) Long: 34°13' East Lat: +27°58' H: 100m from(UT) a Eff.Time Mag.Lim. Leo Tau Other 23h00m - 00h10m 0.99h 6.1 7 3 6 17-18/11/1999 Locality: S. Caterina, Sinai (Egypt9 Long: 34°00' East Lat: +28°37' H: 1450m 22h00m - 23h00m 0.87h 6.4 23 3 6 23h00m - 23h30m 0.41h 6.7 14 3 5 23h30m - 00h00m 0.36h 6.7 31 1 2 00h10m - 00h20m 0.167h 6.7 22 - 1 00h10m - 00h20m 0.167h 6.7 22 - 5 00h20m - 00h30m 0.167h 6.7 23 - 3 00h30m - 00h40m 0.167h 6.7 33 - 2 00h40m - 00h50m 0.167h 6.7 46 - 2 00h50m - 01h00m 0.167h 6.7 63 - 3 01h00m - 01h05m 0.083h 6.7 37 - 2 01h05m - 01h10m 0.083h 6.7 55 - 2 01h10m - 01h15m 0.083h 6.7 45 - 3 01h15m - 01h20m 0.083h 6.7 61 - 2 01h20m - 01h25m 0.083h 6.7 81 - 2 01h25m - 01h30m 0.083h 6.7 93 - 2 01h30m - 01h35m 0.083h 6.7 117 - 2 01h35m - 01h40m 0.083h 6.7 133 - 2 01h50m - 01h55m 0.083h 6.7 212 - - 02h00m - 02h05m 0.083h 6.7 315 - - 02h10m - 02h15m 0.083h 6.7 208 - - 02h20m - 02h25m 0.083h 6.7 133 - - 02h30m - 02h40m 0.167h 6.7 146 - 4 02h40m - 02h50m 0.167h 6.7 90 - 6 02h50m - 03h00m 0.167h 6.6 58 - 5 Probabily Max: 02h02m UT Kind regards, Roberto Haver Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 20:02:27 +0100 (CET) From: Marco Langbroek Subject: [IMO-News] addendum to my data Hello Rainer, hello Peter, hello others, I forgot to include my limiting magnitude estimates in my last mail! 23:35 +6.2 00:08 +6.2 00:21 +6.3 00:37 +6.4 00:59 +6.5 01:41 +6.6 02:19 +6.6 All times in UT. Moonset was at 0:50 UT - Marco Langbroek Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 01:00:28 +0100 From: Casper ter Kuile Subject: [IMO-News] Update DMS website Hi to all, DMS-members returned yesterday from a highly succesfull Leonid expedition in Spain and Portugal. All 5 DMS teams observed the Leonid outburst under fine clear skies. Today nearly all expedition members worked hard to get first results available. Some of these very first observational results, most of them visual, are now published at the DMS website. So we invite you to come along at "http://www.dmsweb.org" and learn of our results. During the next week we will gradually add more new visual, photographic, video and ms results from our observers to the website. Thank you for your interest! Best wishes, Casper. Casper ter Kuile, Dutch Meteor Society (DMS) Akker 145, NL-3732 XD, De Bilt, The Netherlands Tel. +(31)-30-2203170, Fax. +(31)-30-2202695 GSM-BEN: +(31)-6-24242445, GSM-KPN: +(31)-6-53270844 E-mail_1: pegasoft@accu.uu.nl E-mail_2: dms-web@wxs.nl E-mail_3: webmaster@dmsweb.org DMS website: http://www.dmsweb.org Mirrorsite: http://home.wanadoo.nl/dms Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 11:07:34 +0100 (MET) From: Sirko Molau Subject: [IMO-News] Lunar impact seen & videorecorded; more records sought (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 21:34:04 -0500 From: Joan and David Dunham Subject: Lunar impact seen & videorecorded; more records sought Brian Cudnik, Houston, Texas, saw a brief flash near the center of the Moon's dark side near the edge at about 4h 46m 20s U.T. November 18. Observing with a 36cm telescope, he estimated that the flash, taking a fraction of a second, was at least as bright as nearby 4th-mag. psi1 Aqr. He is sure of the event, but asked me for confirmation, to see if a satellite glint or other close-to-Earth phenomenon might have been involved. The observation was confirmed in a video recording that I made using a 13cm telescope at George Varros' home in Mount Airy, Maryland, with relatively dark skies about 35 miles northwest of Washington, DC. The event occurred at a cusp angle of around 75 - 80N (10 to 15 deg. north of the lunar equator) 1.7' from the Moon's edge. The flash, timed from the videotape at 4h 46m 15s, is visible in only two video frames, the first at about 3rd magnitude and the second at about 8th magnitude. The images can be viewed at http://iota.jhuapl.edu. The object was probably a Leonid since the peak of this year's display was at 2h UT as seen from the Earth. The trailing Moon would arrive at the same solar longitude about 3h later, near the time of the observed impact. I also recorded 5 lunar occultations of 8th-magnitude stars an hour before the impact, and also have an image of psi1 Aqr on the tape. Analysis of those images and of the impact images will permit a reasonably good determination of the brightness and location of the impact flash. Anyone else who was recording the dark side of the Moon at the above time should check their data and report their results to me, preferably at both dunham@erols.com and david.dunham@jhuapl.edu. I am interested in knowing about ALL observations of the lunar dark side made between 4:00 and 6:00 UT November 18th when the Moon should have been struck by the brunt of the Leonid storm. There are other fainter flashes in my video record, but some of them are spurious video artifacts. I looked at one, and it did not have the strong stellar appearance of the 4:46:15 flash. But before checking very much for other events, I want to know if there are any other observations that might confirm them. Unfortunately, I'm affraid that most observers in the central and western USA, where the Moon was best placed at the time, bypassed the evening lunar observations in favor of seeing the Leonid meteors during the early morning hours; I have heard of only a few lunar attempts. At my location, fortunately conditions were excellant with the Moon 15 deg. above the horizon at 4:46 UT. I was able to continue the observations until 5:30 UT. I believe this is the first confirmed lunar impact observation. A probable lunar meteor impact was photographed on 1953 November 15 by Dr. Leon Stuart; see http://www.spirit.net.au/~minnah/LunarFlare.html. David Dunham, IOTA, 1999 Nov 21 Joan and David Dunham 7006 Megan Lane Greenbelt, MD 20770 (301) 474-4722 dunham@erols.com Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1999 10:54:25 +0900 From: Kazuhiro_Suzuki Subject: [IMO-News] HRO Today, Japan, 11/23 HRO Today, Japan Nov.23, 1999 Kazuhiro Suzuki E-mail: kazuhiro@suzuki.or.jp URL: http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/rmd.htm "Radio Meteor Data, JAPAN" 99Leonids by HRO, http://www.tcp-ip.or.jp/~kaze/topics/99leo.htm /////////////////////////////////////////////////////// LT 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 UT 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------- November,1999 17/ 35 45 49 60 36 29 37 41 35 IF IF@24 28 20 23 24 18 20 16@18 16 25 26@16 2 1 2 18/ 28 56 56 62 33 31 49 57 50 72107121 26 24 18 18 15 16 11 13 20 23 25@24 1 1 5 1 4 5 10 19 23 11 1