Leonids - Just another meteor shower!

[Unitron48]

Our Culpeper threesome gathered at Morning Calm Observatory last night, early this morning to observe the peak of the Leonid Meteor Shower.

"The Leonids, which peak during mid-November each year, are considered to be a major shower though meteor rates are often as low as about 15 meteors per hour. The Leonids are bright meteors and can also be colorful. They are also fast: Leonids travel at speeds of 44 miles (71 kilometers) per second, and they are considered to be some of the fastest meteors.The pieces of space debris that interact with our atmosphere to create the Leonids originate from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. It takes comet Tempel-Tuttle 33 years to orbit the sun once."

This was our fifth meteor shower of the year...counting Lyrids, Tau Herculids, Perseids, and Orionids. Our session started before midnight and concluded about 0530 this morning. Our meteor count of 48 included at least half sporadics, and compared to the 43 we observed in 2020 (our last opportunity to observe the Leonids). Several were very bright and colorful. Lots were very fast moving!

The temperature was hovering in the mid 20's for most of the night, but our usual coffee and cookie breaks mitigated the freezing cold. All in all another great evening under cold, crisp skies!

Dave

Note Geminids up next. Last year we had a real storm...counting 358 meteors!

[Bigzmey]

Congrats on the successful session Dave! All nighter with temperatures in 20s, you are an inspiration to us all!

[kt4hx]

Very nice outing Dave and glad you were able to pick up some meteors. That is a long session in the cold for sure. Was there any additive in the coffee?

[Unitron48]

Congrats on the successful session Dave! All nighter with temperatures in 20s, you are an inspiration to us all!

Thanks, Andrey! I ordered a pair of heated socks this morning!!!

Dave

[Unitron48]

Very nice outing Dave and glad you were able to pick up some meteors. That is a long session in the cold for sure. Was there any additive in the coffee?

Thanks, Alan! If you mean coffee creamer, then yes :smile:

Dave

[John Baars]

A great session. Thanks for your report!

[kt4hx]

Very nice outing Dave and glad you were able to pick up some meteors. That is a long session in the cold for sure. Was there any additive in the coffee?

Thanks, Alan! If you mean coffee creamer, then yes :smile:

Dave

No, but I'll accept that and leave it at that!

[helicon]

That's a very interesting meteor shower report Dave. 48 is a nice haul plus thanks for the background information on the comet that is responsible for the Leonids. You are brave for staying out there in the 20-degree temperature as well - somehow you kept the coffee hot! Congrats also on winning the VROD for the day!

[Unitron48]

That's a very interesting meteor shower report Dave. 48 is a nice haul plus thanks for the background information on the comet that is responsible for the Leonids. You are brave for staying out there in the 20-degree temperature as well - somehow you kept the coffee hot! Congrats also on winning the VROD for the day!

Thanks, Michael! Appreciate the recognition.

I never tire of devoting a night to "meteor viewing"

Dave

[Makuser]

Hi Dave. A very nice observing report on your Leonids meteor shower party. For keeping your hands and body warm on those cold night sessions I recommend a thermos of Lipton Beefy Onion soup. Thanks for another great report Dave and congratulations on receiving another well deserved TSS VROD Award.

[Unitron48]

Hi Dave. A very nice observing report on your Leonids meteor shower party. For keeping your hands and body warm on those cold night sessions I recommend a thermos of Lipton Beefy Onion soup. Thanks for another great report Dave and congratulations on receiving another well deserved TSS VROD Award.

Thanks, Marshall! I find that my feet are the only area that gets cold. I have some very good gloves and use lots of layering. Going to try the heated socks for the next meteor shower (Geminids) in December. Will report back!

Dave

[kt4hx]

Nicely done on the VROD Dave. I am with you on the feet thing! In the worst temps I will put toe warmers in there as its my toes that bother me the most. Usually I can do about 3 to 4 hours of observing with two pairs of heavy socks and my Sorel boots. Hand warmers in the coat pockets can be useful as well!

[Ylem]

Congratulations on seeing the meteor shower and the VROD Dave!

I was unaware they came from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, thanks!

[Unitron48]

Nicely done on the VROD Dave. I am with you on the feet thing! In the worst temps I will put toe warmers in there as its my toes that bother me the most. Usually I can do about 3 to 4 hours of observing with two pairs of heavy socks and my Sorel boots. Hand warmers in the coat pockets can be useful as well!

Thanks, Alan! I've tried the toe warmers, but find them insufficient on those really cold nights. Old age has cut into my circulation. Hoping the heated socks will do the trick!

Dave

[Unitron48]

Congratulations on seeing the meteor shower and the VROD Dave!

I was unaware they came from comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, thanks!

Thanks, Jeff! I highly recommend a meteor shower session at least once a year for everyone!

Dave

[kt4hx]

Nicely done on the VROD Dave. I am with you on the feet thing! In the worst temps I will put toe warmers in there as its my toes that bother me the most. Usually I can do about 3 to 4 hours of observing with two pairs of heavy socks and my Sorel boots. Hand warmers in the coat pockets can be useful as well!

Thanks, Alan! I've tried the toe warmers, but find them insufficient on those really cold nights. Old age has cut into my circulation. Hoping the heated socks will do the trick!

Dave

The socks will work very well for you. I know what you mean about circulation. If I had no toes I would be fine out in the winter! Then again, my balance might be worse than it is already! Worse case I can put one toe warmer under and one on top of my toes. If I smell smoke and hear the sizzle then I will know they are fully cooked! I guess I will find out tonight and tomorrow night as I am headed over to the other house for two nights.

[Unitron48]

Nicely done on the VROD Dave. I am with you on the feet thing! In the worst temps I will put toe warmers in there as its my toes that bother me the most. Usually I can do about 3 to 4 hours of observing with two pairs of heavy socks and my Sorel boots. Hand warmers in the coat pockets can be useful as well!

Thanks, Alan! I've tried the toe warmers, but find them insufficient on those really cold nights. Old age has cut into my circulation. Hoping the heated socks will do the trick!

Dave

The socks will work very well for you. I know what you mean about circulation. If I had no toes I would be fine out in the winter! Then again, my balance might be worse than it is already! Worse case I can put one toe warmer under and one on top of my toes. If I smell smoke and hear the sizzle then I will know they are fully cooked! I guess I will find out tonight and tomorrow night as I am headed over to the other house for two nights.

Be safe out there! Temps were 19 degrees here last night!!

Dave

[kt4hx]

Thanks, Alan! I've tried the toe warmers, but find them insufficient on those really cold nights. Old age has cut into my circulation. Hoping the heated socks will do the trick!

Dave

I am here and looks like pre-midnight our temps will stay in the low 30s tonight. So not too bad.
The socks will work very well for you. I know what you mean about circulation. If I had no toes I would be fine out in the winter! Then again, my balance might be worse than it is already! Worse case I can put one toe warmer under and one on top of my toes. If I smell smoke and hear the sizzle then I will know they are fully cooked! I guess I will find out tonight and tomorrow night as I am headed over to the other house for two nights.

Be safe out there! Temps were 19 degrees here last night!!

Dave

I am here now and looks like our temps will be above 30 in the pre-midnight hours - so not too bad. Sky is clear and transparency is projected to be very good to excellent - we shall see!