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(ATMoB:Discuss) Re: Summer Meteor Showers



ATMs of Boston club member Joe Henry asked:

>Lew, I haven't able to find much information about the summer meteor
>showers so I figure I need to talk to you. Of course I know that the
>Perseids are August 12 and 13, but what are the dates of the other
>showers? I've heard of the Delta Aquarids but I don't know when they
>occur, and I know there's at least one other shower in the summer.
>In particular is anything going on the weekend of Aug 19th?


Hi, Joe! The final page of this month's ATMoB Newsletter contains a short
description of both the South Delta Aquarids, which peak around 28 July in
a mostly moonfree sky; and the Perseids, which peak during the day Sunday,
12 August. (Sky & Telescope lists Perseid "peak" as being 6am that Sunday:
or in other words, watch as close to dawn as you can manage that morning!)


Beyond the (often uncertain) meteor information in the "Big 2" Magazines,
there are many meteor calendars on the Web for you to use. I suggest the
following, in rough order of convenience for folks just getting started:

  http://www.amsmeteors daht org/showers.html#major

  http://www.tiac dawt net/users/lewkaren/meteorobs/showers.html

  http://www.imo dawt net/calendar/cal01.html#July

  http://comets.amsmeteors daht org/meteors/calendar.html


To find out more about showers happening THIS MONTH, I strongly encourage
you to check out the North American Meteor Network's monthly "NAMN Notes":

  http://Web.InfoAve.Net/~meteorobs/namnnotes.html


Now of course if you're REALLY interested in meteor showers, I suggest you
consider joining one of the meteor-related email lists. If you would like
to "dive into the details", in particular about the techniques involved in
meteor recording, I administer a global mailing list called 'meteorobs':

  http://www.tiac dawt net/users/lewkaren/meteorobs

The MAIN PURPOSE of the 'meteorobs' list is to allow newcomers in meteors
to interact directly with our very senior observers and scientists: we are
an open community, and you are welcome to join us any time...


Now if you want details about how to observe all of the many major, minor,
and VERY minor meteor showers which are active *THIS WEEK*, Bob Lunsford's
"Weekly Meteor Outlook" site is perfect for you:

  http://www.amsmeteors daht org/lunsford/


As for the weekend of 19 August, Joe, I have to say that no major shower
peaks are expected. However, you can *still* count on seeing 5 to 10 per
hour in the early morning, if you get out under a dark sky and watch!

Clear skies and many meteors,
Lew Gramer
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