reply to post by SibylofErythrae
With all due respect SibylofErythrae, it's virtually impossible that the meteor was close to you. Let me explain...
A meteor is only luminous/visible due to it's speed - I should say
meteoroid since a meteor is what we see when a meteoroid enters our
atmosphere.
Now, for a meteoroid to emit light, it must be going faster than around
2-4 km/sec (4500-9000
mph), which is much much faster than the speed of sound (about 768 mph).
So, did you hear a sonic boom?
In fact, reports very much like yours are extremely common when a bright meteor/fireball is seen by many people, but none stand up to any scrutiny.
Exactly the opposite is true - when reports like this are investigated, major issues pop up: Typically, there are reports from multiple witnesses
separated by 10's of miles, each swearing blind that the same meteor was "very close" to them.
In exceptional events, where a meteoroid/asteroid is large enough to make it down through 100+ km of atmosphere, and retains enough energy/size to be
luminous, witnesses close to the event would be expected to report characteristics along the lines of "ground-shaking", "rattling/breaking windows",
and "loud roaring/rumbling", going by very rare reports of this happening in the past.
So I hope you'll forgive me when I say that I'm a little skeptical that a meteor could have been close to you.
If look here, there is a diagram that might help illustrate what is happening - meteors seen directly overhead are actually much closer to you, than
those seen "low" over the horizon:
The Meteor Meniscus: Meteor Distance verses Meteor Zenith
Angle
Originally posted by SibylofErythrae
I like to find a reason to go watch the showers, and have seen many meteroites. Particularly over the last couple of years. Which is pretty
impressive because I live in a VERY bright city. But because of that, there are fewer stars in the background to wash out the view of the meteorites
you do see.
I also have the same problem - I've always lived in the city. My fascination with meteors began while I was in the suburbs. Whilst you will always be
able to see brighter meteors from the city, you tend to miss out on the less bright meteors, which usually make up the majority of the population in
most meteor showers, and you also miss bright meteors because your horizons are obstructed by other buildings/trees/walls/fences.
These days I'll usually drive as far away from the city as I can get, partly because I see lots more from a good rural observing site. It's a pain,
but it's well worth doing. Try it - you'll be amazed at the difference it makes.
Originally posted by SibylofErythrae
Up closer to the arctic circle the sky is just awash in stars, and it gives a totally different experience watching for them.
This is a dark perserve. Fabulous idea. Little bit cold for the winter shower. I haven't decided I'm THAT interested yet.
www.cypresshills.com...
Absolutely. That is exactly where I'd want to be during a meteor shower.
If you can get there, I'd say go for it, but I'd agree that during winter it could be a bit tricky unless you know what you are doing.
Even during summer you'll probably want to be in a couple of sleeping bags, especially if you are observing from an exposed and/or reasonably high
altitude site. It's surprising how quickly the heat just drains away under a clear rural sky, especially if you are not moving around much.
Take more warm cloths with you than you think you'll need, and "layer up" - you can always take cloths off if you are too warm, but it can easily end
your observing session early if you get cold!
Hope you manage to find clear skies and see lots of meteors
edit on 5-7-2012 by FireballStorm because: formating