newbie need help tonight

jonsgirll · #1 12-10-2006, 09:51 PM

Hi guys Im a newbie here and I heard on the radio today that at 9pm if you look towards Orions belt you can see a heap of meteors..sorry if spelling is wrong..
They said the earth is moving through the tail of a comet and you can see a shower so many every minute.
is this true cause I cant see zip..
any news would be appreciated as Im new to this but the sky facinates me.
cheers
Jonsgirll

[1ponders] (Paul) · #2 12-10-2006, 09:58 PM

jonsgirll.

The Orionids are starting around now but they won't peak until around the 21st of October and then they will deminish for the following week or two. This is a great time for them to happen as we are moving into a new moon (21st) so the skys will be nice and dark after this weekend with the moon rising after midnight for the following week and then setting before midnight for the week after.

jonsgirll · #3 12-10-2006, 10:01 PM

Thankyou for the fast reply..Im so new at this but I will get better..
Tonight I didnt see a thing but my son said he saw a meteorite so hes pretty happy but I missed it..seems I better get the telescope out of storage and get comfy on the back lawn..
thanks for the help..

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 12-10-2006, 10:05 PM

If you are looking for meteors, then you are better off with your naked eyes, or binoculars at the most. When it gets happening, we are talking streaks travelling across half the sky at times,for the relly good ones.

jonsgirll · #5 12-10-2006, 10:08 PM

well thats good to know then cause I dont have a clue how to use the telescope I have its been in the box since I got it 6 months ago..oopsy........

[1ponders] (Paul) · #6 12-10-2006, 10:12 PM

There are likely to be a few amateur astronomy groups getting together on the 21st due to the new moon, and there is an Iceinspace group meeting at Cambroon near Kenilworth at a nice dark site. Anyone at any of the meetings would be able to help you out with setting up your scope.

jonsgirll · #7 13-10-2006, 05:21 AM

thankyou for that..I will be sure to keep an eye out here for any news..Kenilworth is about a 40 minute drive from me so thats not too bad.
cheers
Jonsgirll

iceman (Mike) · #8 13-10-2006, 06:19 AM

Orion doesn't rise until after midnight either, so you need to stay up until around 3am to see the meteor shower.

btw

to the forum! How did you hear about us?

Geoff · #9 13-10-2006, 07:18 AM

Hi all
I have plans to be set up in my swag in a dark area away from Adelaide. Snooze for a couple of hours or so util midnight, then with a tape recorder, goodies, and music I will lay in wait.

May the sky's be clear.
Cheers

Geoff

[1ponders] (Paul) · #10 13-10-2006, 07:23 AM

Must be different up here Mike.

Orion is well above the horizon by 11 pm here.