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[dewayne]

I've been out several times tonite in my backyard.
The count is low compared to my count during the Leonid shower in August.
But, even in my LP skies at home I have been seeing some great meteors tonite.
I've seen three really spectacular fireballs that lasted quite a while and were very bright with very long tails.
One was blue, one red, and one green. I have never seen a blue or green one before. Really has been quite a show.

[NatureDevil]

I've been outside too amidst the cold, and the constant shivering seems to have kept me annoyed long enough to give up after a good half an hour.

Saw a few streaks, but nothing as dazzling as green at all. This was a few hours ago as well. Thought maybe I could see some from the back porch inside (heated) but alas, trees and bad angles would not allow.

As for the comets, I haven't seen anything. I'd love to go to the Triton star show Saturday, but I need to work a show; ain't gonan happen.

If it rains or gets snowed out or is too cloudy, you are all invited to a free blues show at Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket in Willowbrook off of old Route 66 next Friday and Saturday. I'll be there doing sound for Michael Charles and his band. Friday is a 4 hour acoustic set and Saturday is a 4 hour electric set (drums and all). Lot of originals too, shows start at about 8pm.

Good luck to everyone.

NatureDevil

[Al Degutis]

It's 12:50am CST and I came in to warm up. I'd been outside since 10:30pm. So far the count is low. I did a formal log for the first hour (actually hour plus 20 min, but I took a break to observe Comet Machholz; more on that later in the appropriate thread).

It's currently 18°F with a feels like of 4°F. I have multiple layers and handling it okay. There was hardly a wind for the first hour but it has picked up and has an effect. The skies have been clear since 10:30!

I'll post a formal report later but the count does seem low. Most of the better one are shooting through or near Orion. The real bright ones (mag 0 or better) and long ones (i.e. 2-3 second train) are actually close to the horizon. Most of the others are between mag 1-4 and barely a one second train.

I spent that first hour trying to record my sightings in the AL Meteor Observing log but it was tough due to the cold and not being used to doing all this note taking ever minute or two. Not sure I'll log any more official time this evening as my hands prefer to be inside the sleeping bag for warmth.

1:00am, time to head back out for another couple of hours.

[Al Degutis]

Geminids 2004

I went outside about 50 minutes after sunset (17:15; all times list are CST). I knew it was early to catch a lot of meteorites but I hoped to spot some earthgrazers. I spent one hour in the cold (23°F, wind chill 13°F) and spotted more satellites (5) than meteorites (1). I did learn that I was underdressed for the later outing.

At 22:00, I suited up for the cold: blue jeans covered by jogging sweats to act as a wind breaker, a t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, sweat shirt, jacket, hat, and gloves. I brought out the lounge chair for comfort and a sleeping bag for more warmth. I started a fire in my portable firepit but kept it at a distance because of smoke and fear of setting the sleeping bag (and myself) on fire.

My first observing session started at 22:30 and lasted 1 hour (plus a 30 minute break). During that hour I spotted 30 meteorites. Only 2 were brighter than mag 0 and most were mag 1 or 2. During the 30 minute break, I took 20 minutes to look at Comet Machholz with the binocular. It was very easy to find in the binoculars but it wasn't naked eye visible due to the sky fog that close to the horizon. Observing at 8x50 direct views just showed a globular looking object. With averted vision, a noticeably bright core was easily detected. I zoomed into 20x50 and the core was visible but faint with a direct view and again averted vision brought it out nicely. The binoculars were mounted on a tripod with an L-bracket which provided a wonderfully stable view.

After a short break indoors to warm up, I headed back outside at 1:00 and observed the Geminids for another two hours. It was 18°F with a wind chill of 4°F. In the first hour I spotted 37 meteorites but only 10 were mag 0 or brighter. Five of them were low on the horizon (30° or lower) and those five also had the longest, brightest train, better than I had witness higher up in the sky.

In the second hour, the temps dipped a little more (16°F/3°F) but I could hardly tell the difference. IT WAS COLD. I kept feeding the fire but only visited it briefly on occassion to thaw my gloved hands. In this hour, the meteorites were more grouped together. In the first 20 minutes, I spotted 9 meteorites and 4 of them were mag 0 or brighter and again, they were low, below 40° altitude. I took a 10 minute break and started observing again at 3:30. I saw nothing for 10 minutes. I was ready to call it a night when I spotted 2 within a minute, followed by one the next minute. That's how the next 30 minutes went. Nothing for 5-7 minutes then 3 or 4 in a short period. Once again, the brighter ones with the longer train were close to the horizon. During this period, though, there were only 8 that were mag 0 or brighter.

Summary count:
22:30 1 hour = 30
01:00 1 hour = 37
02:00 1 hour = 26

I'm sure it's because this shower peaked while it was still light outside here in the Northern Illinois, but I was disappointed that there was less activity than the Perseids back in August. I had hoped that it would still be more active and it may have been between the hours of 18:00 and 22:00 when I couldn't observe. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed seeing nearly 100 meteorites in one night!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I was never big on the Geminids, and my efforts of last night proved to remind me why.

I didn't set up like I usually do, but just instead leaned against the garage and looked up at around 10:30 pm. The winds were brisk and the temps cold. I looked for any sign of them, but alas...none to be found. Now, considering I have to battle and position myself against the ever present street and alley lights, I find a spot or two where neither can directly find me.

I stayed out for about 20 min, and was quite disappointed in my failure to observe any. I went back in and accomplished some household chores. I went back out around 12:00 am, and again waited, but saw nary a one. If I were a young man in my teens, I would have stayed the night bundled on top of my garage, but such activities are the folly of youth. The selfish warmth and comfort of a toasty bed was much more appealing.

I couldn't make any attempts to catch Q2, as haze and slight cloud cover hampereed any efforts.

Give me the Leonids and Perseids any time!

[Al Degutis]

Chicago said:

If I were a young man in my teens, I would have stayed the night bundled on top of my garage, but such activities are the folly of youth.

Thanks Joe. ;D I've been feeling kinda old as of late becoming a grandfather this year and being younger than you by a few years

At least I can say "I'm young at heart". I'm paying for it with a low grade fever and a stuffy head. With all the cloud cover lately, and the "could be the best shower of the year" I went out and over did it. But I did log in 4 hours towards the AL Meteor Cert... if I decided to complete it.

I had planned on setting up the telescope to check out Comet Machholz tonight but even if I'm feeling better, I don't think my wife will let me leave the house. Probably better anyway...