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Posted by BC on October 12th, 2008
The Orionid Meteor Shower peak is drawing near, and observers are seeing more and more members of that shower. Although the peak is on 20/21 October, that does not mean that meteors associated with that shower are waiting until the peak to show themselves.
On Friday (10 October 2008), I was participating in a Boy Scout astronomy merit badge event at a camp in a dark location. I showed the Moon, Jupiter, Andromeda Galaxy, and a few other things through my telescope. I also pointed out some constellations. I talked about the Orionid Meteor Shower and where to look for the radiant. I also mentioned that people should go out and look overhead to catch sight of meteors by using peripheral vision, instead of looking directly at the radiant.
We observed until around 10 p.m. local time, and I packed up to leave. As I was driving home something caught my attention from the corner of my eye. I saw a very long, bright blue streak of light that came from the east. The trail was about 60 degrees long. The meteor faded at the end of its slow-moving trek.
If that meteor was a precursor for the peak, then I’m ready. I would like to see many more of the bright blue, long trailed, slow moving meteors. I hope the boys at camp saw the same one as I did.
One person has commented
Eugene said,
October 21st, 2008 @ 4:16 am
looking forward for more information about this. thanks for sharing. Eugene
