A Perseid Night!

[Unitron48]

Just a short update on this morning's Perseid Meteor Shower observing session. Although originally scheduled for tonight (the peak night), we moved it up a day because of an unfavorable weather forecast. We observed 66 meteors in the 3 and 1/2 hrs between 0130 hrs and 0500 hrs (including one coffee/cookie break). There were several notables including a real fireball at just after 0130 hrs that left a prolonged smoke trail.

Time to get some sleep!

Dave

[bobharmony]

Congrats on the sightings, Dave. Those fireballs are really great to see!

We were pretty well Mooned out here Sunday-Monday overnight. The glow covered the sky quite thoroughly. The transparency (or lack of) was such that it was difficult to see Alberio naked eye. No meteors sited in three separate sessions over the night. if the clouds hold off tonight, will take another look or three.

Bob

[Unitron48]

Congrats on the sightings, Dave. Those fireballs are really great to see!

We were pretty well Mooned out here Sunday-Monday overnight. The glow covered the sky quite thoroughly. The transparency (or lack of) was such that it was difficult to see Alberio naked eye. No meteors sited in three separate sessions over the night. if the clouds hold off tonight, will take another look or three.

Bob

Thanks, Bob! The transparency was great here...and once the Moon set a little after 0300 hrs, the MW really popped with naked eye views of M31, the Double Cluster, and several of the Auriga OC's.

Dave

[jerrysykes]

Hi Dave. I had an interesting observation on the 8th. While imaging the Cocoon Nebula I walked away from the from the scope to get a better look at the sky.

A very bright light appeared just to the left of Caph. It only lasted a few seconds and then disappeared. I honestly think I saw a meteor coming straight at me. No streak or smoke trail.

I have heard of other folks observing this but this one was my first. Other than that the Moon and poor transparency have made it difficult to see anything.

Congrats on seeing the fireball. I love those things.

[KingNothing13]

Very cool Dave, thanks for sharing.

I have not gotten out for a meteor shower in quite a while now.

[Unitron48]

Hi Dave. I had an interesting observation on the 8th. While imaging the Cocoon Nebula I walked away from the from the scope to get a better look at the sky.

A very bright light appeared just to the left of Caph. It only lasted a few seconds and then disappeared. I honestly think I saw a meteor coming straight at me. No streak or smoke trail.

I have heard of other folks observing this but this one was my first. Other than that the Moon and poor transparency have made it difficult to see anything.

Congrats on seeing the fireball. I love those things.

Thanks, Jerry! I saw my first "point source" meteor (I think that's what they call them) while observing the Perseid's in 2015. They are intriguing

Dave

[Unitron48]

Very cool Dave, thanks for sharing.

I have not gotten out for a meteor shower in quite a while now.

Thanks, Brett! I try to made 3-4 meteor showers every year! Still find them fascinating!!

Dave

[jrkirkham]

Thanks for the report. I got up. I saw nothing but clouds. I went back to bed. I expect a repeat tonight.

[Unitron48]

Thanks, Rob! Unfortunately that is happening all too often!!

Dave

[andrewsscope]

Hi I saw 7 meteriotes here in Basildon UK last night with the moon out,I am not sure if I saw a fireball as it was in the east and had a blue centre with white light around the outside,was shaped like a star.I am not sure as only got a glimpse as it disappeared below the horizon.I was only out about an hour as clouds kept coming over the point of the sky I wanted to watch.

[sdbodin]

Nice report, good results. I'm with Bob, mooned and poor transparency, zero Perseids, 2 IFOs in a short 30 min session.

Will try tonight,
Steve

[Bigzmey]

That's great Dave! I saw ~10 during my observing session on August 9 during the breaks from EP.

[Unitron48]

That's great Dave! I saw ~10 during my observing session on August 9 during the breaks from EP.

Thanks, Andrey! We saw about 10-15 1st mag or brighter...and they were really screaming!

Dave

[Bigzmey]

That's great Dave! I saw ~10 during my observing session on August 9 during the breaks from EP.

Thanks, Andrey! We saw about 10-15 1st mag or brighter...and they were really screaming!

Dave

I saw 5 bright ones, some with smoke trails. I was hunting galaxies that morning so whatever I caught was during quick glances away from the EP.

[Unitron48]

Hi Andrey! I was into a personal observing session...checking out Double Stars in Delphinus, Equuleus, and Vulpecula...when we decided to more up our Perseid observing session. Glad we did because tonight and the rest of the week look crappy!!

Dave

[Thefatkitty]

Nice deal Dave, good for you! I've yet to catch these, actually. Good thing you did it when you did, your forecast sounds like mine for the next few days

All the best,

[bladekeeper]

Sounds like a fun night, Dave! I’ve been watching for some, but man the sky is really bright tonight. Gotta nasty cloudy bank hovering in the northwest. Hopefully it will stay over there!

[Unitron48]

Sounds like a fun night, Dave! I’ve been watching for some, but man the sky is really bright tonight. Gotta nasty cloudy bank hovering in the northwest. Hopefully it will stay over there!

I found over the years it's best to dedicate the night to catching the meteors (otherwise it seems like they always appear when I have my eyes to the eyepiece)...and to do it with a few like minded individuals. When the Moon is bright it is also good to keep it at your back and blocked if possible. The other key element is to be in a comfortable chair! Patience and persistence :smile:

Dave

[Bigzmey]

Sounds like a fun night, Dave! I’ve been watching for some, but man the sky is really bright tonight. Gotta nasty cloudy bank hovering in the northwest. Hopefully it will stay over there!

I found over the years it's best to dedicate the night to catching the meteors (otherwise it seems like they always appear when I have my eyes to the eyepiece)...and to do it with a few like minded individuals. When the Moon is bright it is also good to keep it at your back and blocked if possible. The other key element is to be in a comfortable chair! Patience and persistence :smile:

Dave

For me it seems the other way around. When I sit and look I hardly see any, you gotta trick them by breaking from EP randomly.