By David H. Levy
Meteors take place whilst a meteoroid, a speck of dirt in house, enters the Earth's surroundings. the warmth generated while this occurs explanations the encompassing air to glow, leading to 'shooting stars'. in the course of the so much stunning meteor storms greater debris provide upward push to fireballs and firework-like screens! Meteors are a pleasant staring at box - they don't require a telescope, and so they may be noticeable on any transparent evening of the yr, even in vivid twilight. It used to be the sight of a unmarried meteor that encouraged David Levy to enter astronomy, and during this e-book he encourages readers to head outdoor and witness those impressive occasions for themselves. This booklet is a step by step consultant to watching meteors and meteor showers. Any useful technology is defined easily and in truly comprehensible phrases. this can be a ideal creation to looking at meteors, and is perfect for either professional and budding astronomers.
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Extra resources for David Levy's Guide to Observing Meteor Showers
Sample text
Recording meteors Tape or digital recording Because you can superimpose your voice with audio signals from radio time signal stations like the American stations WWV and WWVH, the Canadian station CHU, Australia’s VNG, and others around the world, and since it does not take your dark-adapted eye away from the stars, recording is a method preferred by many observers. The only problem is that your post-observation work is increased, since you must now listen to the tape and copy all the information on to a report form, which for a long observing night can become tedious.
During this time, of course, you may miss another meteor. Minor shower and “sporadic” nights Meteors can be observed any night of the year, and counting them on a night not dominated by a major shower can be especially rewarding. With experience you will have little difficulty assigning meteors to one of several active radiants, determining true sporadics, or possibly uncovering evidence of an unknown shower. Before you begin, check Chapter 19 to find out which showers may be visible on a particular night; then spend some time acquainting yourself with the positions of their radiants in the sky.
Perhaps Canada’s Visual Meteor Program of the International Geophysical Year offered a fair compromise, asking that you record times no less frequently than every ten minutes, or five during heavy showers. If you use a tape recorder, there is no reason why you cannot have each meteor recorded to the nearest second. Simply have WWV or CHU time signals recording into the machine, as well as your meteor reports. Always record fireballs or other unusual meteors to the nearest second. It is always possible that a fireball might land somewhere, and thus an accurate description of the path, including the time of its appearance, is essential.