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[timothy]

Well it looks like an all clear for meteors in the chicago area! Finally be able to get a look at Q2 also!

cloudy skys are gonna clear up
put on a happy face

Tim

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Clear skies for the Geminids? Man, if I can sneak a nap in, I'll attempt to catch 'em from my garage. I'll try to catch Q2 with 10x50's as well.

There are also two other comets in the general vicinity, with one being brighter than Q2 and the other dimmer.

But, it's gonna be cold!

[stargazer]

I dont know what mapyour looking at but I just heard we have couds and flurries for tonight

[bubblesnort]

Hi,
I'm hoping to catch some of the show tonight (hopefully it clears up), but I'm not sure where the best place to view a southern sky would be since I live in Evanston (on the north side of Chicagoland's city lights). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Susan

[Al Degutis]

Susan,

You don't need to look at the southern sky for the Geminids. Although the shower radiats from the constellation Gemini they can be seen anywhere in the sky.

My amateur suggestions:

• Right after sunset, for an hour or two, look east. Gemini rises around 6pm CST so you may be able to spot earthgrazers which skip across the sky like rocks skipping across the water.
  
• After it really gets dark (after 10pm) just look up. Even in Evanston you should see a good number but be warned that you won't see a lot of the fainter (mag 2+) displays.
  
• Stay warm! I plan on observing in 1 hour increments wrapped up in warm clothing and a sleeping bag. Then taking a break indoors to warm up. McHenry county temps are forecasted to be dropping to 9°F with wind chills of -7°F overnight.
  

Hope you get you see some nice meteorites and long, bright trains!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Susan,

Welcome to the Chicago Astronomer Family, and for your first post.

What Al says is all true, but in Evanston you have the advantage of your close proximity to the lake, and ergo a bit darker sky eastward over the the dark and cold waters. Use it to your advantage and concentrate your efforts in that direction, and considering that's where Gemini will rise, you should be well placed. You may catch some fainter ones.

Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, and often in the opposite direction from the radiant. Skimmers are a great sight, but later on if we are lucky, meteors with great bright trails are a treat and highly anticipated.

If you catch any tonight, please let us know. I will attempt my chilly observations after 10pm.

Thanks for your question and enjoy

[timothy]

Well it looks like we got little bit of everything tonight. Cold, clear, clouds and snow. Talk about if you don't like the weather?
I managed to see ( only) five Geminids, and those were kind of weird. Compared to last years, which were long, bright streaks, the ones I saw this year were very short and bright. As if I was seeing the end just before it fizzled out. Also a few seemed to spiral down like they were close to the ground.
Oh well, how was your night?

Tim

[stargazer]

OK Guys I stand corrected on the weather. As for the Geminids I saw only one around 1:30 this morning. It wasnt very bright or long. Almost didnt see it. Oh well I guess I have to wait till next year.

[stargazer]

Well last night I made a smoke run and decided to park down by the lake for a couple min hoping to catch some stray Meteors. To my suprize in the 5 min I sat there I saw 5 come out of Orion and none out of Gemini. Saw Comet Machholz so I guess the cold 5 min was worth it. If my daughter wasnt sick I most likely would have stayed out there longer. Now Im hoping for clear skies for sat night. I would love to be able to see Comet Machholz in the scope. and just maybe get some pics of it.

B

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Becks,

What lake would this be?

Still haven't caught Q2 yet. Soon I hope!

[stargazer]

Joe

We have two lakes here where I live and I just stoped by he bigger of the two where there is a good view of the sky.

Now see if you would come out to the BURBS one day I would show you. ;D