When you have a bright head, estimate the brightness using the head. For dimmer meteors which are only "streaks" sans head, you have to use what you get. BTW, once bolides get brighter than about first magnitude, brightness estimates tend to show a large scatter, except for very experienced observers. This is probably due to the lack of readily visible reference stars (or planets) for comparison. On 9/2/07, Kim <kimharch@cut.net> wrote:
Still little help. I could only find a reference to estimating a fireball's brightness under FAQ's. It appears, though, that I'm correct in estimating the fireball brightness - fireball as in head of the meteor - and not an integrated brightness. I suppose under some circumstances, say a fast-moving, exceptionally bright bolide, the visual impression is more of an integrated value than an estimate of the object's brightness sans train. Right?
Kim
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2007 2:36 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Aurigid report
Or a better question for the IMO.
Under "Meteor Science", click on "visual". This is THE Website for amateur meteor obseravtion & research.
...Trying to save Kurt some cutting and pasting! ;o)
On 9/2/07, Kim <kimharch@cut.net> wrote:
This might be a good question for Kurt: Is there a specific technique
for
estimating meteor brightness? I've always tried to estimate the brightness of the head or fireball itself, but is this correct?
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