Beginners Astronomy

1. Observing Meteors and Variable Stars Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society Beginners Astronomy

2. Last time A bit about the Solar System and other things About observation Types of observation – visual and imaging Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

3. This week: Practical visual observing Visually observing variable stars Meteor watch: What are meteors Visual observation Imaging meteors A look at setting up and using telescopes Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

4. Practical observing Visual observations of variable stars Naked eye is perfectly adequate for observing variable stars brighter than mag 4. Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

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8. Practical observing The sight of ‘Shooting Stars’ is quite spectacular and ‘Fire Balls’ even more so. Shooting stars are meteors. The word Meteor comes from the Greek ‘meteōros’ meaning ‘high in the air’. Meteoroid: The current official definition of a meteoroid from the International Astronomical Union is "a solid object moving in interplanetary space, of a size considerably smaller than an asteroid and considerably larger than an atom". Meteorite: A meteorite is a portion of a meteoroid or asteroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere and impact with the ground without being destroyed Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

9. Practical observing So what are meteors? Grain sized particle entering the top of the atmosphere at high speed. Most Observed meteors are in the magnitude range of 1 to 4. They can also be larger objects also entering at high speed. These are much brighter and are called ‘fire balls’ or ‘Bolides’ if above magnitude -5. Re-entering rocket parts are also sometimes seen. Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

10. Practical observing Meteor groups: Sporadics Showers Meteor showers are generally associated with periodic comets and are linked to known passes in the past. The showers form as the Earth passes through the streams of particles left by the comet and so happen at certain times of the year. The Perseid shower is associated with comet 109P Swift - Tuttle The Leonids with 55P Tempel-Tuttle The Geminids with the asteroid 3200 Phaethon Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

11. Practical observing The shower meteors all appear to radiate from a single point in the sky. This is a perspective effect. The constellation that contains these point give rise to the shower name i.e. the Perseid radiant is in the constellation Perseus Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

12. Practical observing Meteor watch: Things to consider. Ideally a dark site is needed away from interfering lights. Haze and the Moon will also interfere. It is better when the radiant is high. Comfort is essential. A recliner and warm clothes, woolly hat and warm shoes. Do it as part of a team if you can – it’s much more fun. Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

13. Practical observing Where to look Observe the sky at about 50 deg in altitude and about 40 deg in azimuth away from the radiant. Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

14. Practical observing Stuff you’ll need An accurate time piece A dim red torch Note pad / observing sheet and pens Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

15. Magnitude Object(s)-4 Venus-2 Jupiter-1 Sirius0 Capella, Rigel, Arcturus+1 Regulus, Spica, Pollux+2 Belt stars of Orion, Beta Aurigae, Gamma Geminorum, Pointers of Plough, Polaris, Denebola, Alphard+3 Delta UrsaeMajoris, Gamma and Delta Leonis, Epsilon Geminorum+4 EtaPersei, Delta Aurigae, RhoLeonis+5 Faintest meteors generally visible to naked eye Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

16. Practical observing What to record Time of the appearance (UT) Magnitude estimate Type: shower or sporadic Constellation seen in Presence and duration of any train if seen. Any additional notes – colour, break up Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

17. Practical observing Next Send your observations off to the Meteor section of the BAA. Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

18. Practical observing Imaging meteors A DSLR camera is generally a better option although some ‘point and shoot’ cameras are up to the job. Generally use a wide field setting. Focus is very important for sensitivity. Once focused disable the auto focus function. Set the ISO 800 or 1600 and low f number. Exposure times 30 seconds to 120 seconds depending on light pollution. Use a programmable timer to take the exposures. Spare batteries or external power source very useful. Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

19. Practical observing Imaging meteors continued Make sure that the camera date and clock is correct (UT)? Also keep a visual watch As a general rule of thumb only meteors brighter than zero magnitude will show up. This apparent short coming can be put to good use. It is very difficult to capture images of meteors Observing as part of an organised team effort Martin Crow Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society

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