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Machholz meteors?

  • James Butler
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19 years 2 months ago #8711 by James Butler
Machholz meteors? was created by James Butler
During the last two sessions I've seen meteors travelling from south to north. Each time in parallel to the path made by Machholz from Lepus to Cassiopeia.

I don't know if we've passed near to or through the trail of Machholz though with a perihelion of 1.2 AU and the fact that a comet releases non-visible particles at much greater distances than the coma then it is possible that we are picking up some particles from the comet.

Of course, Machholz is not the only comet that has such a highly inclined orbit.

Anyone else seen these meteors or have any thoughts.

By the way, I still meet people in this area who have lived here all their lives and have not once seen a meteor. I see at least one during every session! And a fantastic fireball last November too. Lime green, sparking and I can swear I could hear a dull rumble and fizzing too.

James Butler

Astronomy Diary - astronomy-diary.blogspot.com/

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19 years 2 months ago #8721 by Seanie_Morris
Replied by Seanie_Morris on topic Re: Machholz meteors?
Just as you mention it, I say a lovely Bootid fireball on Wednesday night at around 11:34pm. I was driving in the car with my fiancée when we both saw it right in front of our vision/direction of travel. It was about magnitude -3, bright yellow/white, very little trace of tail (though the windshield and concentration on driving probably diminished any tail seen.). It travelled about 12 degrees, and I'd say 10 degrees to the left of Arcturus, heading down to the horizon.

Really nice!

Seanie.

Midlands Astronomy Club.
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.

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19 years 2 months ago #8730 by dave_lillis
Replied by dave_lillis on topic Re: Machholz meteors?
James,
If you have starry night, download the latest data and you can see the orbit if you zoom out enough to see the inner solarsystem.
The comet came close, but not really close, the Earth didnt cross/intercept the comets orbit.

Dave L. on facebook , See my images in flickr
Chairman. Shannonside Astronomy Club (Limerick)

Carrying around my 20" obsession is going to kill me,
but what a way to go. :)
+ 12"LX200, MK67, Meade2045, 4"refractor

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