Meteors and How to Observe Them

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. An Introduction to Meteorics

   • Springer New York

   Pages 1-2

3. Sporadic Meteors

   • Springer New York

   Pages 3-10

4. Major Annual Showers

   • Springer New York

   Pages 11-71

5. Minor Annual Showers

   • Springer New York

   Pages 73-98

6. Variable Showers

   • Springer New York

   Pages 99-113

7. Daytime Showers

   • Springer New York

   Pages 115-120

8. New Showers?

   • Springer New York

   Pages 121-139

9. Observing Meteor Showers

   • Springer New York

   Pages 141-166

10. Meteor Activity Throughout the Year

    • Springer New York

    Pages 167-179

11. Meteor Groups and Organizations

    • Springer New York

    Pages 181-185

12. Back Matter

    Pages 187-192

    PDF

In this era of high-tech instruments, meteor observing is the one facet of astr- omy that needs nothing more than your naked eye. Meteors can be easily seen without the aid of cameras, binoculars, or telescopes. Just ? nd a comfortable chair and lie back and watch for the surprises that await high above you. It is a great way to involve the family in science where everyone is active at the same time, not wa- ing to take turns at the eyepiece. The kids especially enjoy the hunt for “shooting stars,” oohing and ahing at each streak of light that crosses the sky. While gazing upwards, it is also a great way to get more familiar with the sky by learning the constellations and seeing if you can see the warrior among the stars of Orion or the scorpion among the stars of Scorpius. Until just recently, one could simply go outside and watch for meteors from his or her yard. Unfortunately, humankind’s fear of the dark and the widespread use of lighting as advertisement have lit the nighttime scene in urban areas so that only the brightest stars are visible. Serious meteor observing under such conditions is nearly impossible as the more numerous faint meteors are now lost in the glare of urban skies. Today, a serious meteor observing session entails organizing an outing to a country site where the stars can be seen in all their glory and meteors of all magnitudes can be viewed.

• astronomy
• meteor calendar
• meteor observing tips
• meteor radiants list
• meteors guide
• observing meteor showers
• observing shooting stars

From the reviews:

"This guide … contains much useful information for a new comer to meteor observing, especially with regards to practical advice relating to meteor watches. One third of the book covers the major showers … with useful charts included to show the radiant locations and their daily motion. … It is all up to date … . In summary, this is a potentially useful book … ." (Tony Markham, Astronomy Now, July, 2009)

"The book is split into two sections. The first concentrates on nine major and 17 minor meteor showers along with variable, daytime and possible new showers. … The second section is a guide that is … well written. It covers everything from how to accurately record your observations for scientific use to tips on making photographic, video and radio observations. If you’re keen on observing meteors or taking your interest further, this book is well worth getting hold of." (Vincent Whiteman, Sky at Night Magazine, August, 2009)

"The book is aimed at the beginner in meteor studies, so it quite reasonably has few surprises in its coverage … . Overall, my desire to recommend this book, as one of few commercially-available, introductory, meteor-astronomy texts, is tempered by the flaws which detract from it fully informing its target readership … . newcomers would find much of it useful, and its shower coverage is sufficient to make it a handy work to dip into for more-knowledgeable amateur meteor enthusiasts." (Alastair McBeath, The Observatory, Vol. 129 (1212), October, 2009)

• American Meteor Society, Chula Vista, USA

  Robert Lunsford

Robert Lunsford has had forty years experience viewing meteors and meteor showers, and is a memberv of the American Meteor Society (AMS) and the International Meteor Organization (IMO).

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