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Post by BillW on Mar 29, 2012 7:51:18 GMT
Hi, The Lyrids are due to peak on the morning of 22nd April. This is perfect timing as it is a Saturday night into Sunday morning and it falls on the new moon. The general activity is relatively low with a ZHR ~20 but the shower has shown outbursts in the past. With the advancing spring it means that the number of fully dark hours is getting limited at UK latitudes but in general terms ~23.30-03.30 local time will be available, the later the better though as the radiant continues to rise. Should the weather cooperate this will be a good one to watch. cheers, Bill.
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Post by BillW on Apr 6, 2012 16:45:50 GMT
Hi all, Should the weather co-operate a few of the observers in the Ayrshire area are planning a Lyrid observing session on the night of the peak. The location will be one of our regular sites near Dalry or Loch Doon. Stay posted for details. All are welcome and if it's a nice night it will be great fun. cheers, Bill.
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Post by BillW on Apr 20, 2012 8:08:48 GMT
Hello All,
With this large low pressure haging around the forecast for tomorrow night is mixed to say the least.
Anyway a couple of observers are still planning on getting together at the usual observing site near Dalry. This is accessed by following the signs to either the Dalry Community Wind Farm or the North Ayrshire Shooting Ground. These are on the B781 and/or B780. If you do a google Earth the shooting ground is tagged and there is a single distinctive tree visible on the minor road. Just about there. If you are considering coming along then please let me know. cheers, Bill.
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Post by stewartw on Apr 21, 2012 15:37:57 GMT
Bagged my first confirmed Lyrid last night - see attached file.
Polaris is to the left hand side of the FOV, just above the mid line; the W of Cassiopeia is to the lower right hand side.
Time is UTC, correct to <0.5s
Weather not particularly cooperative - anyone else having any luck?
William
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Post by BillW on Apr 21, 2012 15:48:42 GMT
Hi, Excellent stuff William.
Unfortunately here right now it's looking spectacularly grim! There have been some enormous cumulonimbus clouds skirting to my east. I've got some interesting time lapse of air whipping round and the updraughts. I'm going to put it on youtube later. However at the moment one of such clouds systems is right over head and it is getting a touch on the wet side.
One can but hope it clears later but I'm not too hopeful!
cheers, Bill.
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Post by leolion on Apr 21, 2012 17:16:48 GMT
Congratulations William , Here in Elland last night the best we had was a 60 % cloud , 40% clear for a short while ca 22:00 hrs UT. Not run anything so far . The forecaster I use suggests maybe 3 hrs 'clear' twixt 2200 & 0100 hrs BST tonight. Currently just had the first rain of the day (light).Driest day for 5 days. My friend ARP in north Leeds could have been running video with UFO Capture if he had more clear sky (ca 17 miles north of me ). Hope springs eternal.
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Post by stewartw on Apr 21, 2012 17:21:48 GMT
Here in Cheshire it's 60% clear at some points then 100% dark cloud with associated rain then next ... typical April weather!
Good luck for tonight wherever you are!
William
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Post by stewartw on Apr 22, 2012 8:07:24 GMT
Hi All,
In short, a somewhat disappointing night ... a significant gap in the clouds that afforded 60% clear skies rolled over Cheshire from about 21.30 - 23.30 UTC last night.
Attempted visual observing but only saw 2 meteors - the clouds made it difficult to determine if they were Lyrids or sporadics. Went to bed after 23.30 - there were gaps in the clouds but they were getting smaller.
The video system chugged away all night and the "North" camera captured four confirmed Lyrids at the following times (UTC, accuracy < 0.5s).
21st Apr 2012 21.20.44 21st Apr 2012 22.28.00 21st Apr 2012 23.55.38 22nd Apr 2012 00.55.08
How did everyone else fare?
William
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Post by BillW on Apr 22, 2012 14:35:38 GMT
Hi, It sort of cleared up for a spell between 2200-2330UT
Myself and Tom ventured out and through the decreasing gaps in the cloud I saw two also, 2205 mag 3 and 2250 mag 3.
Video camera only caught 1.
Having a cappaccino and some jaffa cakes sitting in our deck chairs we considered it more of a training session for the forthcoming NLC season!
cheers, Bill.
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Post by leolion on Apr 22, 2012 19:02:19 GMT
Here in Elland, West Yorks the breakdown was 80% cloud & 20 % clear .ARP @ Leeds had a few video captures on Friday/Saturday session using UFO Capture. He is in north Leeds. I did establish that my 75ohm coax comfortably reaches from my PC , via the letterbox & on to the drive giving some new options.No video or visual from me I'm afraid & nowt in my Inbox from north Leeds for last night. Looking forward to the NLC season (if I ever get clear sky when I need it ). Now in excess of 1200 postings on the weather forum I inhabit. Cappaccino & Jaffa Cakes sounds great , much better than a roadside 'drum up'.
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Post by BillW on Apr 24, 2012 8:16:18 GMT
Hi, I now consider it an essential of any observing session to have my camping stove with me. This all started when I wanted to test out a new Primus stove a few years back. After a long night observing NLC it was just fantastic to have a really hot cuppa. I think that deliberately having a couple of breaks through a night keeps one sharp and generally makes things a bit more pleasant all round. I have, though, switched from the old fashioned paraffin version to a much more convenient Primus gas version. On the weather front, I put a short video of some of the clouds over the weekend on YouTube at youtu.be/5YwvO7Jv0_YCheers, Bill.
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Post by BillW on Apr 24, 2012 14:05:44 GMT
Hi Len, What forum is that. I'm tyring to find out more about the "1 Wire" setups. I'm fed up with the wireless problems also cheap kit failing and not being able to repair it. My very first Oregan Scientific station from 1999 lasted over 10 years and that was cabled. I think it's time to go back to cable! Cheers, Bill.
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Post by leolion on Apr 24, 2012 18:34:03 GMT
Hi Bill. The weather forum is MetServ www.metserv.info/ .Was being run from NZ as the 'owner' migrated back there. Now 'owned' in the UK again. Hard wired weather stations get away from radio problems (interference from various domestic set ups etc).Apart from what you can dig up on the net I have the book 'Weather Toys' "]http://www.weathertoys.net/weathertoys/book.html] on 1-wire devices.I've now got two rain gauges & two rf transmitter units (currently O/C)-Maplin Watson units.They work for ages then go on the blink. Re stoves & brew ups - I use a Trangia when camping - burns meths - works in all weathers ( and , what sacrilege, would make a brew burning the 'water of life', usquebaugh)
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Post by BillW on Apr 25, 2012 11:22:52 GMT
Hi Len,
Thanks for the info. I actually ordered that very book two days ago after seeing it on the Hobby Boards site.
Burn whiskey?!, you'd be tied to a tree and left to the midges for that crime!!!
Cheers, Bill.
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