Eta Aquarid - Meteor Shower

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi Scott! to the forum!

How did you hear about us?

We've got a member or two in Mornington, and they're having an observing session this weekend.. perhaps you could make it? Read the thread "iceinspace star party in victoria".

How long were you up for, watching the meteors? The rate is predicted to be at max, 40/hr, so you can only expect 1 every minute or two. I've heard that approx 4am is the best time.. maybe 2am was too early?

Also, (have to ask) were you looking in the right direction? They will originate from near Mars, so have a look for the bright orange star in the east..

[scott]

Thanks for the welcome Mike. I heard about this site through Dave from Mornington(he put a note on the astro australis site.) (I seem to trail him around the internet!). We went outside every hour from 2am for 30 minutes. We were looking north east. I will try tommorow at 4am looking near Mars.

[robin]

Clouds stole the show here too!

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Well folks, the story was a lot better here in Arnhem land, with clear skies.
I got out just after 4am & at first I thought it was going to be a Dud
But by 4:15 I started to see the first meteors, from then on they came into little bursts (something I have found to be common to most meteor showers).
Counted 15 Eta Aquriads in all, with 10 of them being bright & some leaving "Trains".
Also saw 4 which could be attributed to the 'Zeta Scorpiads" shower, a minor shower also occuring at the same time.
I am hoping Friday morning is going to be even better
At first light I dragged the Dob out for a look at Mecury, Mars & the moon.
I must say I was very impressed with the view of Aristarchus & the Schroter's valley (178x).
A took a quick afocal shot of it, however with the right gear & exposure it would make a great photo.
The 3D appearance of Schroter's valley, has to be seen to be believed.

[iceman (Mike)]

At first light I dragged the Dob out for a look at Mecury, Mars & the moon.

I did the same Ian! My images of Mercury and Mars are in the Solar System forum. I didn't bother taking an image of the moon, it was a nice visual sight though.

I'll get up early tomorrow and try for the meteors.

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Hi

I was up around 4.30 am , had about half hour look, lots of cloud around but managed a few Eta's

Firday morning looks cloudy but I get up just in case.

Scott nice to see you here.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Good on you Mike & Dave, good to know I was not the only one out there

I hope it is good tomorrow too ... I have an article in the local paper (with suitable disclaimers :-) & have told the 200 + people on my Email list about this morning's Eta Aquriad experience.
If its a Dud Ill be ....

[iceman (Mike)]

I had a look this morning, at about 4:45am, for exactly 1 minute before I got in the car

I saw two aquarids So i'm happy

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

You did well Mike
I looked from 4:10 to 5:10 CST
Score:
Eta Aquraids: 8
Zeta Scorpiads: 3

Yesterday must have been the peak

[Chrissyo (Chris)]

I got up at 4am to have a look at Mars and see the shower. Completlely clear where I am, and saw both. Mars still looks like a red blob though.

Saw quite a few meteors, several of which traveled a long distance across the sky leaving a bright trail behind them which would gently fade away. I thought it was beautiful. There was another one I saw that traveled the entire distance of the sky, but didn't leave a trail at all. Still looked awesome though.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

I'm glad you enjoyed the show Chrissyo

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I made the effort Friday morning 4am.
Saw my first on immediately. They were very fast, lots of them just went ffft, don't blink or you'll miss it. But even they left a little trail.
The best one happened when I was looking at Mars, and a nice firey meteor shot around to the right of Mars. Bright yellow and sparkly.
Well worth getting up for.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Got up with HRH Liz to have a look, but couldn't see anything; mind you it would have helped to look for longer than 10 minutes.. It was zero outside

[Mikezoom]

Well, almost that time of year again. There is a nice little write up in the current AS&T in the monthly update but not sure which page as Im currently at work.

Looks to be another active shower although I missed last years so will not be able to compare.

Here is a link to Paul Floyd's info page on the Eta Aquarids...

http://www.paulfloyd.id.au/amaz/try/...ower_2006.html


Anyone else going to brave it this year...?

Mike.

[vespine]

Oooh yeah! I love meteor showers Maybe we should start a new thread so we can track weather and cloud predictions and stuff?

[circumpolar (Matt)]

I have read that this shower has a reliable Double Maxima. The first Maxima is ment to peak on the mornings of the 4th & 5th and is said to be the weaker of the two. The second (main) Maxima is on the morning of the 6th (saturday morning).

I have arranged a campout with some family and friends on friday night on my families rural mountain property. Should be a great night next to the fire if the weather remains fine.

I will be watching this shower every morning from now on.
Anzac Day Dawn Service is a good excuse to get the rest of your family out of bed at that hour to see some meteors! Most services start befor 5am.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Boy, how time flies when your having fun !
I too will be watching out for them again this year.
Probably not on Anzac day though, I expect we will be still getting the Cyclone Monica induced rain then.

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Can't believe its been a year since this thread was started.

Just trying to keep it up top so people can remember to catch a meteor or 2 this week

Good luck with your observing.

[Mikezoom]

Will be out on the mornings of 5th & 6th for hopefully a good show and will try for some photos too, also going to get up an hour or two before work tomorrow morning to try to catch a few streakers.

Anyone else been out and seen any lately?

Best of luck and clear skies to anyone skygazing this weekend.

Mike.B.

[Mikezoom]

Who would have guessed, it has been drizzely & overcast since the day I wanted to start my observations of this shower. Rain forecast for Fri & Sat too, maybe just maybe it will clear for a quick glimpse.

Mike.B.