Author Topic: Strong Meteor Shower Peaks Monday Night (Read 4578 times)

JimB · « **on:** December 10, 2004, 11:58:00 AM »

According to McBeath, the Geminids are predicted to reach peak activity on Monday at 22:20 GMT, which is 5:20 p.m. EST. Locations from Europe and North Africa east to central Russian and Chinese longitudes are in the best position to catch the very crest of the shower, when the rates conceivably could exceed 120 per hour, or two every minute. Maximum rates persist at only marginally reduced levels for some 6 to 10 hours, McBeath says, so other places, such as North America, should enjoy some fine Geminid activity as well.

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Richard Myers · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2004, 01:44:00 PM »

Sounds like it will be worthy checking out!! Thanks Brother Jim!!

JimB · « **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2004, 04:48:00 AM »

Just bringing this current as a reminder for those who might be interested in watching. With this one you don't even have to stay up late to see them.

Also as you look up in the sky, look for Orion and then find his feet. Just under his feet should be a small fuzz ball of light. This is comet MACHHOLZ. It is of the 5th magnitude so will be visible to the naked eye but should give a great view under a telescope or good pair of binoculars.

Have fun viewing.... as I'm going to miss all of this due to snow storm that is moving through my area today and tomorrow

Liane H · « **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2004, 06:24:00 AM »

Hi Jim:

Could you give me an idea of what would be good time to be watching this tonight from the west coast?

It would sure be nice as I live out in the desert with no lights and that would be good for me.

Liane, the Zoo Mama

JimB · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2004, 07:29:00 AM »

Liane, as soon as it gets dark you should be able to see something. Here is some general information...

quote:
Usually, after midnight is the best time to observe a meteor shower. Because the Geminid peak is broad, however, begin watching at dusk December 13.
Geminids can appear in any part of the sky. To maximize your chances of seeing these meteors, though, face generally east and look one-third to one-half of the way up in the sky from dusk to about 9 P.M.
From 9 P.M. to midnight, look generally from halfway up in the sky to overhead. At any time, glancing around won't hurt anything. If you observe late into the night, look overhead. Full Story

Cop · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2004, 02:05:00 PM »

Quote:
"I'm going to miss all of this due to snow storm that is moving through my area"

Snow...snow? What is snow??? Is that a disease that Yankees suffer with??

[This message has been edited by Cop (edited 12-13-2004).]

JimB · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2004, 04:48:00 AM »

Cop, yeah it is something us yankees have to deal with. However, sometime in the future I'll see what I can do to send some your way, if you want. On a more serious side I actually do like the change of seasons even if it does sometimes include the bitter cold. One of our pastors last night made the comment that he'd take a Michigan winter over a Georgia summer any time.

God made us all different.

Hey, did anyone try to watch the meteor shower last night? Did you actually get to see anything?

Liane H · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2004, 05:02:00 AM »

Though we had a beautiful night sky, the cold drove me in. Did not see anything.

Snow, I enjoy the seasons. I like fall, winter and spring, but hate summer no matter where I live. It is easier to put on more cloths to keep warm, but not so easy in the summer to take off. So at least 3/4 of the year I am happy, but why does summer seem to last longer?

If I remember in my year living in Texas when I was in the seventh grade learning about Texas that it does snow in some parts of the state. Is that not correct? So Cop you must live further south.

Liane, the Zoo Mama

Cop · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2004, 09:38:00 AM »

Yeah, some parts of Texas gets snow every year. Some of my cop friends have been having snow for over a month up in the Panhandle. Whenever it snows in my part of the woods, everything shuts down...schools, businesses, everything! Everybody wants to enjoy it. My children are grown and have never seen more than 1 inch of snow on the ground down here.

I LOVE summer and will take it anytime over winter. God did not mean for mankind to live in weather below 75 degrees! Give me 95 over 45 anytime!

My wife and I made a pallet [thats a blanket on the ground to you po' Yankees] and laid back last night watching the meteors. We always enjoy the show. Appreciate the info about the comet.

JimB · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2004, 11:22:00 AM »

Cop, how often did the meteors show up?

Richard Myers · « **Reply #10 on:** December 16, 2004, 03:50:00 PM »

"95 over 45"? How about 105 over 45? As I get older I think I am wiser. You can have the 105, I am looking for the 85....year round!!

Our night time temps got into the low 30s not long ago and today's high must have been around 50. With Osama's prediction of higher energy costs, it would be well to live in an area where it did not get cold nor hot. (hint...take your choice...Heaven or the New Earth! )

Richard Myers · « **Reply #11 on:** December 16, 2004, 03:53:00 PM »

Oh...I forgot to say what a blessing it was to watch the meteors! We tuned in a little late in California. We went out at 7pm and watched for about 30 minutes. Not real dark, but we got to see quite a few streaking across the night sky. We were happy since it was so late. I would say it averaged about one a minute. Some small and fast, but a few were larger and bright.

Thanks for the notice, Brother Jim!

Cop · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2004, 05:44:00 PM »

"Cop, how often did the meteors show up?"

I wasn't counting them, just enjoying, but I guess one or two a minute.