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The Leonids (expert observations)

If you want to perform observations according to the international IMO standard - here is how it could be done :

  
Some Notes about the Collaborative Projects: The Leonids

Yes, you must report :

- When and where did you observe - date and your geographical location


- What were the conditions - but for every observing interval - limit
magnitude and cloudy sky in percent (during high activity is needy littlest
time interval, b.e. 5 min)


- How many meteor did you count during interval !!! - you must divide
between sporadic meteors and Leonids (these meteors "shooting" from
Leo's Head).

Begin your observation when is the radiant  20 -30 deg above the
horizon. During the meteor observing you need a paper tape (this is
ideal) for recording the following data - b.e.:
Begin interval (HH:MM), limit magnitude (+4,5 and more), clouds in % ,
centre of  observing area. A good idea is to observe the Big Dipper
Area. (20-30 deg above radiant) Morning hours will  be best.

Example of IMO standard Report : 

Meteor    Magnitude     Duration of the meteor trace
L              -1,5                       15 sec
S               3,5
L               1                          1
L               2,5                        0,5 sec
S               2                          0   
End interval (HH:MM)
Next interval.....


- where L = Leonid meteor, S= sporadic meteor, accuracy of magnitude =
0,5 mag

You must this data wrote "blindly", your personal frequency must be
consistent.

This report is valid for frequency 10 met/h and more. You need good
sky atlas with star brightness for comparison (IMO standard is
Gnomonic Atlas Brno) and you must not draw a meteor trails. Bright
meteors (bolides) - please note with time (very good is fellow -
timekeeper) and accuracy in seconds and draw his trail.

During higher frequency you cope with counting the Leonids from
demarcation area between bright stars (b.e. Leo's body).

Data in this form (it is IMO standard) may be processed by micek@vmb.cz.

The Leonid Meteor Project was prepared by the European Student Project Group of the European Association for Astronomy Education (EAAE):


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