Geminids - more astronomical delights

Norman said:

I always thought the Geminid shooting star shower in early
December(13th) which radiate out from the Gemini constellation put on
a brighter show.

As a general rule perhaps, but in the last few years the Leonids reached
the peak of their 33 year cycle. Normally they aren't much to look at,
but the peaks can produce spectacular storms.

Patrick Moore started making a fuss about the Leonids back in 96 (or
97?) I think. On his advice I went out wild camping and saw the longest
meteor streaks ever, some seemed to cross 1/4 of the sky or more and
left glowing trails. Since then I've made a regular point of wild
camping for the Leonids and they got better and better. Some years were
clouded out or disappointing, but some were excellent, way better than
any other shower I've seen.

The peak was a few years ago, can't remember the exact year offhand, and
it was a fantastic night. I didn't go camping that year as it happened
(I expected bad weather but luckily it cleared up) so I sat out in the
garden in a sleeping bag. Over the course of two hours I counted at
least 60 meteors, most of which were exceptionally bright. The clouds
started rolling in once more but they were so bright I could see them
through the clouds. The brightest of all left a trail that glowed for
about a minute afterwards, and was visible through a cloud!

They've tapered off in the last few years, so we're past the best now,
but still, wild camping for the Leonids has become something of a
tradition for me.

Quoted message said:

To best observe the Geminids wear appropriate clothing for the weather
and lie outside in a reclining lawn chair.

Nah! You don't wanna do that! What you need is a nice big bonfire!
:-)

Quoted message said:

By about 2:00 a.m.

Which 2:00 a.m.? ;-)

I shall try to remember this one this year, thanks for the heads up.

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk

Bitstring <[email hidden]>, from the wonderful
person Norman <[email hidden]> said

Quoted message said:

I always thought the Geminid shooting star shower in early
December(13th) which radiate out from the Gemini constellation put on
a brighter show.

They do sometimes, however IIRC they've been pretty much clouded-out for
the last two or three years. The big problem with Astronomy in the UK ..
can't see the sky. 8<,

<snip good stuff>.

--
GSV Three Minds in a Can
Outgoing Msgs are Turing Tested,and indistinguishable from human typing.

Seems you can get some every few weeks at this time of the year.
Orionids are even sooner, at the end of this week.

http://www.physlink.com/Community/Forums/printthread.cfm?Forum=18&Topic=3022

-adrian