RE: [APML] Leonids in the Mojave

[Jon Kolb <jkolb@mindport.com>]

Chris,

> From reading everyone's posts on the Leonids, I've noticed a 
> big difference
> in the ZHR reported.  Some say 1600/hr, Dave says 1000/hr and 
> some report
> over 2000/hr.  But then looking at Dick Locke's image, I 
> notice that people
> in his club estimated the rate to be around 200/hr.  I would 
> rate my view at
> around 300/hr max.  I know the cirrus interfered with my view 
> somewhat but
> there is a big difference between 1000-2000/hr and 
> 200-300/hr.  Could the
> views be that localized...I would think not.  Strange...

The local newspaper here ran an Associated Press story today quoting NASA as
reporting 1250/hr.  I have not looked for confirmation on the web of this
report.  Since I didn't methodically count meteors like Dave did, and since
NASA is better funded than I am, I can accept both of their estimates -
especially since they are in pretty close agreement.  1250/hr. certainly
agrees better with my subjective assessment that the rate was much greater
than 200-300/hr. for most of the time between 0315 and 0400 MST at my
location.  I'd be interested to know if NASA measures for a full hour when
coming up with ZHR numbers, or if they extrapolate from shorter samples.

Based on my observation, the shower peaked later than some had predicted,
which put the highest rates into morning twilight for eastern USA observers.
I don't know what to say about your experience, except that it's too bad you
and Jim weren't hanging out with me under clear skies at 9000 feet.  It
would have been nice to have two experienced observers confirm my subjective
assessment.  Maybe we can get together in 2099.

Sincerely,
Jon Kolb
Adventures in Astrophotography
http://home.datawest.net/jkolb/
jkolb@mindport.com

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