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RE: [APML] Leonids from Iowa
APMLers,
I just returned from a meteor hunting trip to Keokuk, IA (north of
quincy?)...the closest spot that I could find that had a clear forecast.
Although I've been fooled before!
I actually live in Minneapolis, MN but I was determined to find a clear
site...its approximately a 7 hour drive, on my way it was clear to the west
and cloudy to the east and I eventually was rained on about an hour from
Keokuk...however, as I arrived the clouds parted. I actually set up my gear
at a farm in nearby Argyle, IA. It was 1130 cdt by the time my mount was
set and aligned and cameras cocked and loaded...I looked up and saw a huge
meteor streak across nearly 1/2 the sky with a very wide persistent trail
and what looked like a slightly bulbous body? I've never seen anything like
it...not sure if it would be called a bolide or fireball.
I had three cameras setup but was going to wait until the second peak.
However, as I was observing 1-2 meteors per minute at around midnight, I
thought I would just snap away. BTW, wildlife encounters: one owl, very
close and loud! Also, what sounded like a pack of dogs(coyotes?)
fortunately not as close as the owl!
I'm new to shooting meteors so I used info from some of the e-mails on the
APML! Thanks, everyone...although I won't see the shots until friday but
I'm very anxious...I did exposures similar to Stan's...2 minutes unless I
saw a meteor at which point I closed the shutter so I do have some shots at
:30 and 1 minute or so...I used three cameras and 400 and 800 speed films on
a tracking mount(kenko sky memo)...I shot 204 exposures so I hope to get at
least one good one!
I also did a rough count, I noted approximately 225 meteors...these were
meteors that I estimated were bright enough to make it on film...there were
many very faint meteors that I did not count...I would guess that I saw
around 400 total. The most I saw at once were five...and the most in 1
minute was 14.
I'm glad I finally have something to share with the APML, I've certainly
learned a lot from all of you! I will post info on pictures...although even
if none of the pictures turn out it was a fun little adventure!
Bob Seabold
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-astro-photo@seds.org [mailto:owner-astro-photo@seds.org]On
Behalf Of Stan Richard
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 10:54 PM
To: astro-photo@seds.org
Subject: [APML] Leonids from Illinois
Jon and all,
>I also had some wild animal encounters last night. One fox came nosing
around, so close I almost tripped over him, which was a shock to both of
us. Later, clambering down the rock bank to check a possible downstream
composition, I startled something fairly large in the thicket on the
bank that jumped into the freezing river with a big splash - never saw
what that was (beaver, I told myself). And then there was something
attempting to take apart a bear-proof garbage can at the picnic area
about 50 yards from me (BAM, BAM, BAM!). I decided not to find out what
that was.>
Jon, glad to hear your Adventures in Astrophotography continue<g> Stuck here
in Quincy, Illinois(don't come here if you don't have to, I had to), I
headed east of town and ended up in a farmer's lane just off the highway,
set up my gear and saw what it appears everyone else did. A flurry of
meteors around 4:30-4:45 CST, neat to see so many in just several seconds,
shooting in all directions from the radiant. I got excited for more but to
my disappointment it didn't happen. I had my film camera aimed at Ursa
Major too for most of the shots which was good since there was alot of
activity in that direction but now I'm thinking 2 minute exposures were too
long with 800 speed film giving the conditions last nite: bright moon and
lots of moisture in the air. I'll find out soon I guess, if I can trust
anyplace here in Quincy to develop the film.
I was watching the local weatherguy this noon on TV, he showed a supposed
video clip of the meteor shower last nite. I was expecting that someone
from the station had gone out and gotten some video of a few meteors. I
about laughed when they put up this animation of the earth revolving and
then hitting the comet's dust path. He stated the reason there were more
meteors seen last nite was because we were closer to them...huh?
Stan Richard
Events in the Night Sky
www.nightskyevents.com
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