Mar 1/2 Meteors

Carl Hergenrother

A sprinkle of sporadic meteors continue. A possible single Gamma Normid was detected over Tucson last night.

From Bob’s notes for the night of Feb 28/Mar 1: “The sky was clear but hazy all night. Still no activity from the Delta Leonids to report.”

Bob’s note for the night of Mar 2/3:”Thin cirrus was present all night long yet counts were similar to the previous night.”

Obs  Date (UT)   TotTime TOT SPO ANT DLE GNO
TUS  2009-03-02  10h 17m  6   4   1   0   1
SDG  2009-03-02  08h 10m  17  16  1   0   0
TUS  2009-03-01  08h 45m  14  14  0   0   0
SDG  2009-03-01  07h 59m  18  16  2   0   0

TUS – Camera in Tucson operated by Carl Hergenrother
SDG – Camera in San Diego operated by Bob Lunsford
TotTime – Total amount of time each camera looked for meteors
TOT – Total number of meteors detected
SPO – Sporadics (meteors not affiliated with any particular meteor shower)
ANT – Antihelions
DLE – Delta Leonids
GNO – Gamma Normids


Published by Carl Hergenrother

I am a professional astronomer specializing in the study of comets, asteroids and meteors. This blog will focus on my professional and amateur work in this field.

2 Comments

    1. Hi Anangeli,

      I think you are talking about the small asteroid 2009 DD45. This asteroid passed ~40,000 miles above the Pacific Ocean on March 2. It was the 3rd closest (known) approach of an asteroid to Earth. The best estimate is that it was ~60 feet across. That’s not big enough to do world-wide damage but you wouldn’t want to live near where it hit.

      There is a nice article from Sky and Telescope here:
      http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/40504617.html

      As well as a post from my blog:
      https://transientsky.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/small-asteroid-making-a-very-close-approach-today-2009-dd45/

      Thanks for writing,
      – Carl

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