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From: pegasoft@cc.ruu.nl (C.R.ter Kuile)
Subject: Meteoritic glow of the Perseid meteoroid stream
Message-ID: <1994Aug1.061156.18074@cc.ruu.nl>
Followup-To: Original  
Keywords: Perseids, glow, dust 
Sender: Pegasoft@cc.ruu.nl  
Organization: Ac.Comp.Centr.Utrecht, the Netherlands
Distribution: sci.astro
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 1994 06:11:56 GMT
Lines: 23

Like past years, August 12 might see shortlived enhanced activity of the
Perseid meteor stream. Associated, might be a rare phenomena: Meteoritic
glow. It has been observed in 1993 by Dutch observers. They noted a
glow, dimensions about 5x10 degrees, magnitude +4.5-5.5 (faint!) in
Perseus at approx. location 3h 45m, +40 (2000.0), for about one quarter
of an hour some 2.5 hours BEFORE peak activity. Given the characteris-
tics, atmospheric conditions and spacing between observing locations
(500 km!) it can not have been an atmospheric phenomena (one of the
observers is a professional meteorologist). It must have been the
advancing meteoroid cloud shining by reflected sunlight in space.
Criticism has been that it was observed at the 'wrong' location. Theo-
retically wrong as it might be, it WAS observed in Perseus however!
This year, look for the phenomena several hours around August 12,
7h 30m UTC (ascending node passage). Photographic survey of the area
using fast focal ratio lenses on fast black and white film (and
guided) is recommended. If you have possitive observations, please
be so willing to report to Pegasoft@cc.ruu.nl as fast as possible.

C. R. ter Kuile and M. Langbroek
Dutch Meteor Society (DMS)