Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute [electronic resource]

Report of the Section for the Observation of Meteors, 1927–1928.

By R. A. Mcintosh, F.R.A.S.,

[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 26th June, 1929; received by Editor, 18th July, 1929; issued separately, 30th November, 1929.]

The Meteor Section was formed in 1928 by members of the New Zealand Astronomical Society actively engaged in the observation of meteors. The need for close co-operation between meteor observers working in this country, and a desire that the various observations made be published in a New Zealand publication, were the prime factors influencing the formation of the section. To make the first report more comprehensive it was decided that the observations made by the members in 1927 should be included, and the director has re-examined all his earlier observations, made during 1919–1926 (published in the Society's notes for 1926 March, and 1927 June), the data from which, thoroughly revised in the light of present experience, are included herein. This report contains, therefore, the results of all the meteor observing carried on in New Zealand in recent years. It is probably the largest and most exhaustive contribution to our knowledge of the southern meteor showers that has yet been published.

The following members of the section have contributed to this report:—

Bateson, F. M., Wellington	(B)
McIntosh, R. A., Auckland and Hamilton.	(M)
Thomsen, I. L., Dannevirke and Wellington.	(T)

Following are details of their individual observations:—

		1927			1928
Observer	Nights	Time	Meteors	Nights	Time	Meteors
		h. m.			h. m.
Bateson	54	86 14	857	20	32 47	302
McIntosh	10	12 11	134	44	51 22	639
Thomsen	5	7 25	72	3	4 45	53
Totals	69	105 50	1063	67	88 47	1094

During the two years under review the three observers have observed on 136 nights, seeing in 194h. 44m. of watching a total of 2161 meteors, or an average of 11 an hour under all sorts of observing conditions. Although the membership is small all are keen workers, and it must be borne in mind that the observation of

meteors constituted only a fraction of the time that each devoted to astronomical research.

It is disappointing to the writer to have to record that numerous appeals for other members of the Society to participate in the work have not induced any additional observers to come forward. It is to be hoped that the publication of this report will bring before non-observing members the existence of a vast and practically unexplored field for research in the observation of the southern meteoric showers and the nature of the work being done by the section. Observations, no matter how infrequent, are of value.

The results obtained by the observers reveal that a very satisfactory standard of accuracy in the recording of meteor paths has been attained. The director has examined most of the work of the members and all has been treated in such a manner as to secure uniformity in the results. Although members have not all attained an equal amount of experience the careful treatment of their results and the refusal to accept wide radiant areas tend to make all the data contained in this report of a similar degree of accuracy. Each observer has followed the same plan of observation—plotting each meteor when observed on special gnomonic maps, and using uniform blanks for the recording of various details required for statistical studies.

Special Showers.

The Eta Aquarids.—This fine annual shower occurs generally in a period of very unsettled weather. The only observations so far secured were obtained by the director in 1928 under very trying observing conditions. His results have already formed the subject of an interim report published in the Society's notes for 1928 September. Radiants Nos. 20 and 21 in Table 2 were from this shower. In view of the connection between these meteors and Halley's Comet parabolic orbits for these radiants are given below, with the elliptie orbit of the comet for comparison:—

	Radiant 336°, -1°	Radiant 330°, -0°.2	Halley's Comet
Perihelion minus Node	93.9	113.3	111.7
Node	43.0	43.0	57.3
Inclination	160.8	156.8	162.2
Perihelion Distance	0.539	0.704	0.587

The Delta Aquarids.—This prominent southern shower is well placed for observation, and our members have secured a number of good positions for the radiant of this stream. Observations reveal that for the past four years meteors have always been exceptionally

plentiful at the end of July. The best-observed radiants are detailed below:—

No.	G.M.T.	Radiant R.A. Dec.	No. of Meteors.	Obs.	Rate	Remarks.
64	1928, July 26.67	341°.6 -15°.1	15	M	35
67	1928, July 27.63	340.0 -16.0	26	B	18
70	1926, July 28.65	340.0 -17.0 341.2 -10.0	5 6	M	18	Mean: 340°.6,-13°.5
72	1925, July 30.60	343.2 -12.5	9	M	23
	Mean:	341.2 -14.1	60

The Aquarid shower presents some features of interest. The centre of radiation found by New Zealand observers is considerably south of the usually accepted position, and although the shower appears to possess a somewhat diffuse radiant, the discrepancy cannot be explained by the altered viewpoint or by errors in observation. The good agreement between Nos. 64 and 67 is indicative of the accuracy of the positions determined.

Mr. W. F. Denning, the eminent English observer, says of the Aquarids. “The radiant has been definitely found at a stationary point, 338½°, - 12°, from July 21st to December 15th” (Observatory, 46, 248). As this was written in 1923, it may be taken as the prevailing opinion at the present time. Although no special search has been made, our members in 1927-28 have observed on 27 occasions between August 1st and December 15th, when an active radiant in Aquarius could not have failed to impress itself upon them, but no trace of such long-continued radiation has been found. Looking through earlier records the director has been able to find only one radiant near the position of the Aquarids, No. 76, which lies 6° north of the July positions. Thus it can be stated fairly confidently that the work of New Zealand observers does not support the assumption of long-continued radiation for this shower, which probably does not continue for very many days after the maximum on July 28–30.

It is interesting to note that radiants Nos. 67, 70, 72 in the above table reveal the small eastward motion of about 1° a day which is to be expected from theoretical considerations. It is too small in amount, however, to constitute definite proof of motion, and we must await further and more extensive observations to clear up this interesting possibility. MM. Öpik and Pokrovsky, of the Tartu Observatory, Dorpat, published in 1915 observations showing a moving radiant at R.A. 328° on July 24th, 330° on August 1st, and 335° on August 6th, positions which disagree both with Denning's mean position for maximum and with the New Zealand radiants.

Parabolic elements for this shower are as follows:—

Date	1928, July 26.67 G.M.T.
Perhelion minus Node	303.4° 1928.0
Ascending Node	163.2°
Inclination	74.2°
Perihelion Distance	0.022

The Orionids.—This interesting annual shower has been extensively observed in New Zealand. Owing to the small altitude of the radiant the individual meteors are generally long-pathed and bright, most leaving behind them long-enduring trains. Their paths are therefore very easily recorded, resulting in splendid determinations of the radiants. The following are the best-determined Orionid radiants:—

No.	Date	Radiant R.A Dec.	No. of Meteors.	Obs.	Remarks
96	1928, Oct. 15.65	89°.2 +14°.2	15	M
101	1928, Oct. 16.64	90.0 +15.0	9	M
108	1928, Oct. 18.65	91.6 +14.6	4	M	Poor position
109	1927, Oct. 18.68	91.1 +15.3	4	M
187	1927, Oct. 19.66	90.7 +15.2	3	M	Uncertain
190	1928 Oct. 23.64	93.5 +14.9	3	M	Poor position
114	1928 Oct. 24.64	99.4 +13.7	9	M	Including 1 stationary meteor
112	1928 Oct. 20.62	92.5 +14.2	12	M

N.B.—The above radiants are not corrected for zenith attraction, which amounts to less than a degree. It should be noted that the poor positions were caused by adverse weather conditions, clouds preventing the observation of a sufficient number of meteors for accurate determinations.

An inspection of the radiants in the above table shows an excellently defined and undoubted motion of the radiant-point with increase of date, amounting to one degree a day eastwards. The observed shift is in good agreement with previous determinations by Dr. C. P. Olivier and R. M. Dole in the United States, and agrees closely with a photographic radiant secured at Harvard in 1922 (H. C. O. Bull., 778). Full comparison of the radiants with the work of other observers will be found listed in Tables 2 and 3. In view of the widely-accepted belief in the fixity of this radiant the director has forwarded a very complete report of his observations to the Royal Astronomical Society for publication.

The parabolic elements for the Orionid stream are:—

Perihelion minus node	77.7°	1928.0 (Mean of five orbits)
Ascending node	25.6°
Inclination	162.3°
Perihelion Distance	0.604

The Leonids.—This shower is very unfavourably placed for New Zealand observers, the radiant rising about sunrise, and but few meteors can be expected to be seen unless in the next few years we are rewarded with a return equalling those of last century. An occasional fine meteor can be observed, but not sufficient on any night to determine a radiant.

Other Showers.—Not much can be done on the other prominent northern meteor showers as, even when on the meridian, they are very low in these skies. It should prove interesting to see if lowaltitude meteor showers such as the Lyrids, Andromedids and Geminids yield bright, long-pathed meteors similar to those of the Orionid shower. Such paths, if seen in sufficient numbers, should result in well-determined radiants being obtained.

It appears that meteors are present in great numbers at the times of rich annual showers, a number of minor radiants being active in the neighbourhood of the principal shower. These minor radiants may be the result of the dispersion of meteors from the main stream, and it is advisable that members in future endeavour to observe on dates when rich northern showers are active, owing to the high horary rate of meteors at those times.

Radiants Possibly Connected With Comets.

A number of meteor radiants have been found close to the predicted positions of comet showers, as listed below. As a number of further close accordances have already been found in 1929, full consideration of these is deferred, the director intending to make a special study of them in a subsequent paper. The comparison of a meteor radiant with a comet radiant in the following table does not necessarily imply that a connection is assumed between the two. In most cases the accordance is not sufficiently close to render agreement possible.

	Comet' Radiant				Meteor Radiant
Name	Date	R.A.	Dec.	Ref. No.	Date	R.A.	Dec.	No. of Meteors	Obs.
1590	Mar. 8	275°.0	−38.0	137	1927, Mar. 6	277.°0	−39.0	3	B
1556	Mar. 19	179.0	−26.0	9	1926, Mar. 18	175.0	−20.5	5	M
568	July 23	262.5	−33.0	62	1927, July 20	265.5	−36.5	4	B
1558	Aug. 26	65.0	−22.0	174	1925, Aug. 18	55.2	−28.0	3	M
1763	Sep. 20	44.5	−24.0	86	1928, Sep. 18	36.3	−28.8	4	M
				180	1928, Sep. 22	41.0	−32.0	2	M
1854iv	Sep. 10	53.0	−16.0	87	1928, Sep. 18	60.0	−17.5	5	M
961	Sep. 26	62.0	−13.0	181	1928, Sep. 22	60.0	−20.0	2	M
1580	Oct. 16	61.0	−7.0	186	1928, Oct. 18	65.0	−17.0	3	M

Table 1.
Details of Observations.
Date	1927	Began		Ended		Total Time	No. of Meteors	Rate	Factor	Corr. Rate	Observer and Remarks
		h	m	h	m	m
Jan.	8	20	45	21	45	60	2	2	1.0	2	B
	10–11	21	27	00	30	183	18	6	1.0	6	B
	21	21	10	21	45	35	2				B Cloudy
	28	21	28	22	40	72	5	4	0.8	5	B Passing clouds
	29	21	09	21	50	41	3				B
Feb.	3	21	29	23	31	122	16	8	1.0	8	B
	24	20	45	22	08	83	8	6	0.9	7	B Clear; a few clouds
Mar.	4–5	22	15	02	30	255	41	10	1.0	10	B
	6	01	00	02	30	90	17	12	0.8	15	M
	6	23	20	23	50	30	4				B Very cloudy
	7	02	00	04	00	120	19	10	1.0	10	B
	14	02	40	03	10	30	6				M
	31	21	17	22	40	83	15	11	1.0	11	B
Apr.	6	20	50	21	30	40	1				B Very cloudy half-time
	8	20	45	21	50	55	8	9			B Very cloudy
	22	19	50	20	30	40	2				B
	24	21	00	23	35	145	18	7	1.0	7	B
	30	23	35	24	00	25	2				B Very cloudy

May	6–7	22	53	00	55	62	11	11	0.8	13	T
	11	03	00	04	30	90	27	19	0.8	23	M
	12	02	30	04	30	120	19	10	0.8	13	M
	26	21	10	22	50	100	12	7	0.9	8	B
	29	20	15	22	15	120	11	6	0.5	11	B Very cloudy
June	1	02	35	03	00	25	0				M
	2	02	55	04	42	91	19	13	0.8	16	M
	2	20	55	21	35	40	6	9	0.7	13	B Cloudy
	2–3	23	00	01	40	160	30	12	1.0	12	B
	3	02	45	04	45	120	19	10	0.7	13	M
	4–5	22	55	01	40	165	30	12	1.0	12	B
	5	03	00	04	45	105	17	10	0.5	20	M Very smoky
	10	21	25	22	15	50	7	8	0.7	11	B Bright moon
	17	20	50	21	35	45	1				B Moon 16 days old
	24	20	42	22	32	110	12	6	0.8	8	B Clouds
	24	22	45	24	00	75	15	12	0.9	13	B Few clouds
	25	21	00	22	30	90	13	9	0.9	10	B Few clouds
	26	00	00	01	45	105	20	12	1.0	12	B
	28	21	30	21	55	25	3				B Mist
July	3	23	12	23	50	38	8				B
	4	00	17	01	05	48	15				B
	5–6	23	37	01	05	88	22	14	1.0	14	B
	19	20	39	21	15	36	5				B Very cloudy
	20	19	40	21	18	98	11	7	0.8	8	T
	20	19	55	22	00	125	14	7	0.7	10	B Passing clouds half-time
	20	22	10	22	30	20	4				B
	24	19	06	20	06	60	5	5	0.7	7	B Light clouds
	24	20	20	20	50	30	5				B
	28–29	23	00	00	10	70	20	18	0.9	20	B Clouds at times.
	30	22	15	23	20	65	15	14	0.8	17	B Cloudy
Aug.	2	20	49	22	10	81	9	7	0.8	8	T
	3	22	47	23	40	53	10				B
	5	21	09	22	00	51	8				B Bright moon
	6	03	22	05	36	134	27	12	0.9	14	T
	17	20	10	21	35	85	13	9	0.9	10	B
	20	21	12	23	24	132	19	9	1.0	9	B
	20–21	23	40	00	20	40	11				B
	21	00	50	02	25	95	12	8	1.0	8	B
	26	22	10	22	50	40	3				B Very cloudy
	27	20	50	21	50	60	8	8	0.6	13	B Heavy passing clouds
	27	22	40	23	20	40	4				B Very cloudy
	28	20	18	21	15	57	6				B
	28–29	22	20	00	05	105	18	10	1.0	10	B
Sept.	16	20	25	22	25	120	7	3	0.9	4	B
	25–26	21	52	00	05	133	22	10	1.0	10	B
	26	01	12	02	05	53	12				B
Oct.	15	22	46	23	30	44	5				B
	16	21	07	21	55	48	6				B
	18	20	00	24	00	240	41	10	1.0	10	B
	19	00	32	01	30	58	12				B
	19	02	35	03	45	70	14	12	0.7	17	T Rising moon
	19	03	30	04	00	30	4				M Moon
	20	03	00	03	30	30	4				M Very cloudy; moon
	27	21	00	21	35	35	7				B Passing clouds
	27	21	52	22	25	33	2				B Ditto; moon
	30	20	10	22	30	140	16	7	0.9	8	B
	30–31	23	52	01	00	68	16	14	0.9	16	B
Dec.	3–4	23	10	00	15	65	5	5	0.5	10	B Cloudy and moon
	22	20	55	22	45	110	11	6	0.8	7	B Passing clouds
	25	00	27	01	00	33	5				B Few passing clouds
	25	20	50	23	52	182	36	12	1.0	12	B
Total	105h	50m	956

Jan.	13	23	12	23	25	13	4				B Clouds and moon
	16	22	55	23	50	55	3				B
	18	00	43	01	48	65	23	21	1.0	21	B
	19–20	22	09	02	10	241	36	9	1.0	9	B
Feb.	15	20	43	21	30	47	3	4	1.0	4	B
	19	01	11	02	49	98	9	6	1.0	6	M
	21	01	45	03	15	90	16	11	1.0	11	M
	25–26	23	30	00	10	40	3				B
	26	00	40	02	00	73	10	9	0.8	11	M
	26	00	45	02	00	75	11	9	1.0	9	B
Mar.	2	01	55	03	35	100	18	11	0.9	12	T Clouds last half-hour
	16	20	15	21	21	66	6	6	0.9	7	B Clear half-hour, then cldy.
	20	02	45	03	30	45	4				M
	22	02	45	04	15	90	14	9	1.0	9	M
	22	21	24	22	22	58	9	9	1.0	9	T
	23	02	45	04	00	75	11	9	1.0	9	M
	26	02	35	03	35	60	5	5	0.8	6	M
	28	02	10	04	17	127	26	13	1.0	13	T
Apr.	15	00	25	01	33	68	5	5	0.7	7	B Clear half-hour, then cldy.
	17	21	20	23	10	110	9	5	0.9	6	B
	20	00	45	02	12	87	12	8	1.0	8	B
	22	02	05	04	35	150	23	9	0.9	10	B Clouds last half-hour
	24	02	55	04	50	115	24	13	0.8	18	M
	24	22	10	23	40	90	13	9	0.9	10	B Passing clouds at times
May	3	02	40	03	20	18	1				M Very cloudy; moon
	4	03	10	05	08	104	11	7	0.5	14	M Clouds; moon
	21	20	00	20	55	55	9	9	0.9	10	B Fair; passing clouds
	31	03	00	04	10	70	17	15	0.8	18	M
June	14	02	30	03	20	40	10				M
	14	21	05	23	10	125	14	7	1.0	7	B
	23	02	50	05	00	130	34	16	0.9	17	M
July	14	02	50	03	10	20	5				M
	15	01	20	03	15	115	13	9	0.8	11	M
	16	02	50	04	45	115	27	14	1.0	14	M
	17	03	05	05	06	121	30	15	1.0	15	M
	19	19	00	21	01	121	8	4	1.0	4	B
	20	02	35	05	15	160	38	18	0.9	20	M Misty 1 hour, then clear
	23	21	06	22	33	87	10	7	0.9	8	B Fair; passing clouds
	27	02	30	04	40	120	28	14	0.4	35	M Very cloudy
	28	00	02	03	45	223	51	14	0.8	18	B Moon 2h.; clear
Aug.	21	20	00	21	35	95	9	6	0.9	7	B Fair; moon; few clds.
Sept.	18	02	40	03	15	35	7				M Misty
	19	02	45	04	35	110	22	12	1.0	12	M
	20	02	55	04	30	95	18	12	1.0	12	M Misty clouds
	23	01	45	04	35	170	27	10	1.0	10	M
Oct.	14	00	42	01	55	73	11	9	0.9	10	B Fair; passing clouds
	15	02	15	03	05	50	7				M Clouds
	16	02	06	03	56	110	41	22	1.0	22	M
	17	01	55	03	51	116	37	19	1.0	19	M
	17	02	39	04	00	81	9	7	0.6	12	B Many passing clouds
	19	02	20	03	55	95	16	10	0.3	33	M Almost totally cloudy
	21	01	12	03	20	128	28	14	1.0	14	M
	24	02	30	03	24	54	10				M Heavy mist
	25	02	05	03	45	100	19	11	0.7	16	M Mist till 3h.
Nov.	8	02	05	02	50	45	5				M Clouds after 2h. 30m.
	13	02	05	03	25	80	16	12	1.0	12	M
	14	02	00	03	15	75	9	7	1.0	7	M
Dec.	15	02	10	03	00	50	16	19	1.0	19	M
	16	00	40	02	30	110	18	10	1.0	10	M
				Total	88h	54m	928

Total 1927-28. 194h. 44m. watching yielded 1884 meteors.

Table 2.
List of Radiant Points.
Ref. No.	Date		G.M.T.d	R.A.	Dec.	No. of Meteors.	Obs.	Remarks.
1	1927,	Jan.	10.48	113.7	−30.0	8	B
2	1928	Jan.	17.52	160.0	−8.0	4	B	D. 114, 2, Jan. 11, 158°,-8°.
3	1928,	Jan.	19.53	170.0	−63.0	7	B	3 meteors on Jan. 17.
4	1928,	Feb.	18.60	191.0	−32.0	5	M	See 5.
5	1928,	Feb.	20.63	192.0	−34.5	2	M	Confirms 4.
6	1928,	Feb.	20.63	264.5	−42.2	1	M	Stationary meteor.
7	1927,	Mar.	5.59	228.0	−63.0	5	M	BAA, Mar. 18–25, 232°,-69°.
8	1927,	Mar.	5.59	175.0	−56.0	4	M	BAA, 159, Mar. 12, 174°,-52°. See D. 133.
9	1926,	Mar.	18.49	175.0	−20.5	5	M	Comet 1556, Mar. 19, 179°,-26°. AMS 888, Mar. 20, 177°,-18°.
10	1928,	Mar.	21.67	233.5	−30.5	5	M
11	1928,	Mar.	22.67	286.0	−56.7	7	M	Diffuse; Mar. 20–23 combined.
12	1928,	Mar.	27.65	218.5	+2.9	5	T	D. 166, 3, Mar. 20–23, 219½°,-2°; AMS 928, Mar. 30, 209.5°,-2°.5.
13	1928,	Mar.	27.65	301.5	−38.9	5	T
14	1927,	Mar.	31.44	185.0	−11.0	4	B	?D. 147, 3, Mar. 31, 195°,-6°.
15	1926,	Apr.	10.56	220.0	−48.0	10	M	BAA, Apr. 23–29, 210°,-50°.
16	1928,	Apr.	23.69	309.0	−49.0	7	M
17	1928,	Apr.	24.48	219.0	−26.7	5	B	BAA 1211, Apr. 11–24, 216°,-26°; BAA, Apr. 22, 216°,-25°; BAA, Apr. 21, 218°,-27°.
18	1921,	May	3.55	236.0	−47.0	4	M
19	1921,	May	3.55	208.0	−41.0	4	M	BAA, Apr. 23–29, 210°,-50°; BAA, May 9–10, 210°,-52°.
20	1928,	May	3.69	336.0	−1.0	5	M	Eta Aquarids. D. 258, 4, May 3, 337°,-2°; D. 258, 7, May 3, 338°,-2°.
21	1928,	May	3.69	330.0	−0.2	4	M	?Eta Aquarids. AMS 183, May 3, 332°,-1°:2.
22	1927,	May	10.68	240.0	−50.0	4	M	See 24. D. 189, 1, May, 248°,-46°.
23	1927,	May	11.67	190.5	−58.5	5	M	May 10–11 combined. BAA, May 7, 185°,-54°.
24	1927,	May	11.67	246.2	−46.0	6	M	See 22. D. 189, 1, May, 248°,-46°.
25	1926,	May	15.54	249.5	−25.0	8	M	BAA, 39, May 17, 248°,-25°. Well known.
26	1927,	May	26.44	237.0	−32.0	4	B
27	1927,	May	29.41	241.5	−21.0	4	B	D. 190, 4, May 20, 240°,-18°.
28	1927,	June	1.67	322.2	−53.5	8	M	See 31.
29	1927,	June	1.67	321.7	−31.2	4	M
30	1927,	June	1.67	315.0	−3.0	6	M	?D. 237, 13, May 26-June 11, 305°,-10°.
31	1927,	June	2.68	330.0	−50.0	7	M	Probably a poor position of No. 28.
32	1921,	June	6–7	259.0	−20.0	14	M	Diffuse. D. 190, 11, June 10, 259°,-23°; see also D. 190, 9; BAA. J. 32, 2.
33	1920,	June	8.42	244.7	−21.5	5	M	D. 190, 7, June 3, 248°,-20°; D. 190, 12. June 10, 247°,-18°; D. 190, 10, June 7, 249°,-21°.
34	1920,	June	8.42	280.0	−23.0	4	M	See 36. AMS 1054, June 15, 284.5°,-25°; AMS 1066, June 9, 290°,-15°.
35	1927,	June	10.43	262.5	−38.0	5	B	?D. 210, 4, May 26-June 13, 278°,-35°.
36	1928,	June	13.64	285.0	−31.0	4	M	See 34. AMS 1054, June 15, 284°.5,-25°.
37	1928,	June	22.68	345.7	−43.7	5	M
38	1928,	June	22.68	293.2	−40.6	5	M	See 43. D. 217, 2, July, 284°,-40°.
39	1928,	June	22.68	322.5	−61.0	4	M
40	1928,	June	22.68	297.0	−24.6	4	M	?D. 226, 5, June 28, 293°,-11°.
41	1927,	June	24–26	331.0	−47.0	5	B
42	1927,	June	24–26	309.5	−47.5	7	B

43	1927,	June	24–26	284.0	−40.0	5	B	See 38. D. 217, 2, July, 284°,-40°.
44	1927,	June	24–26	306.5	−12.5	4	B	D. 237, 5, June 28, 305°,-7°.
45	1927,	July	3–4	328.0	−27.0	6	B
46	1928,	July	13.65	344.1	−18.0	6	M	See 57.
47	1928,	July	15.76	8.5	−22.1	5	M
48	1928,	July	15.76	15.5+20.4	1	M	Stationary meteor. See D. 12.
49	1928,	July	15.76	24.0	−8.0	5	M
50	1928,	July	16.69	48.8	−9.3	4	M
51	1928,	July	16.69	335.7	−24.7	6	M	D. 262, 2, July 18–28, 335°,-27°.
52	1928,	July	16.69	29.4	−20.0	8	M	See 60. D. 31, 1, July 28, 33°,-20°.
53	1925,	July	17.46	273.7	−40.0	4	M	BAA, July 9, 273°,-42°.
54	1925,	July	17.46	298.3	−24.5	4	M	?D. 226, 7.
55	1925,	July	18–19	333.7	−32.0	10	M	See 165. D. 262, 2, July 18–28, 335°,-27°; D. 262, 1, July 2-August 16, 342°,-34°; D. 262, 4 and 5.
56	1927,	July	19.39	284.0	−25.0	4	B	AMS 1048, July 19, 282°,-16°; D. 221, 2, July 18–31, 287°,-21°.
57	1928,	July	19.68	352.5	−18.2	7	M	See 46.
58	1928,	July	19.68	21.0	−27.0	8	M
59	1928,	July	19.68	22.7	−43.0	4	M
60	1928,	July	19.68	28.5	−20.6	6	M	See 52. D. 31, 1, July 28, 33°,-20°.
61	1928,	July	19.68	335.0	+5.0	3	M	D. 261, 3, July 5–28, 335°,+7°;. AMS 1160 (and others), July 25, 335°,+0°.5.
62	1927,	July	20.10	265.5	−36.5	4	B	Very diffuse. Comet 568, July 23, 262½°,-33°; ? D. 210, 6.
63	1928,	July	23.43	293.0	−24.7	1	B	Stationary meteor. See 54.
64	1928,	July	26.67	341.6	−15.1	15	M	Delta Aquarids. D. 263, 2, July 21-August, 340°.-14°.
65	1928,	July	26.67	15.9	−12.1	5	M
66	1928,	July	26.67	323.0	−40.0	3	M	See 73. BAA 180, July 26, 328°,-39°.
67	1928,	July	27.63	340.0	−16.0	26	B	Delta Aquarids. See 70. AMS 1175, July 27, 339°.6,-15°.2; D. 263, 15, July 30, 340°,-18°; AMS 25, July 28, 337°.6,-15°.4.
68	1928,	July	27.63	341.0	−28.5	5	B	See 173. D. 262, 4, July 28, 338°,-28°; D. 262, 3, July 25–30, 343°-25°.
69	1927,	July	28.50	348.0	−58.5	4	B	D. 269, 1, July 22-Aug. 12, 350°,-62°.
70	1926,	July	28.65	340.0	−17.0	5	M	Delta Aquarids. See 67. AMS 1174, July 29, 339°.3,-15°; AMS 1175, July 27, 339°.6,-15°.2; D. 263, 6, July 27–31, 341°-13°.
71	1926,	July	28.65	341.2	−10.0	5	M	D. 263, 10, July 28, 341°,-1°; D. 263, 6, July 27–31, 341°,-13°; AMS 1178, July 28, 341°,-12°. See 72.
72	1925,	July	30.60	343.2	−12.5	9	M	See 71. AMS 198, July 31, 344°.2,-11°.
73	1925,	July	30.60	322.5	−40.0	6	M	See 66. BAA 180, July 26, 328°,-39°.
74	1927,	Aug.	5.71	40.0	−44.0	8	T
75	1925,	Aug.	14.48	339.2	−22.9	4	M	See 80. AMS 1170, Aug. 17, 338°,-19°; BAA, Aug. 29–30, 339°,-26°; AMS 1183, Aug. 13. 342°.2,-16°.2
76	1925,	Aug.	14.48	342.5	−8.5	4	M	D. 263, 17, Aug. 1–12, 345°,-7°; D. 263, 20, Aug. 10–12, 342°,-12°; BAA 902, Aug. 10–14, 340°,-5°.
77	1925,	Aug.	16.55	347.7	−26.5	4	M	See 80.
78	1925,	Aug.	16–17	352.5	−65.0	5	M	BAA 171, Aug. 29–30, 345°,-60°.
79	1925,	Aug.	18.56	46.7	−39.5	6	M
80	1927,	Aug.	20.57	345.0	−29.0	5	B	See 75 and 77. BAA, Aug. 25, 339°,-26°.
81	1927,	Aug.	20.57	42.5	−68.0	4	B
82	1927,	Aug.	20.57	19.5	−18.0	4	B
83	1921,	Aug.	25.48	345.0	−45.0	7	M	BAA 171, Aug. 29, 345°,-60° (?).

84	1927,	Aug.	28.43	6.0	−44.0	4	B
85	1927,	Aug.	28.43	1.5	−18.0	5	B	D. 4, 4, Sept. 15–17, 1°,-15° (?).
86	1928,	Sep.	18.67	36.3	−28.8	4	M	Sept. 18, 19, 20 combined. See 180. Comet 1763, Sept. 20, 44°.5,-24°.
87	1928,	Sep.	18.67	60.0	−17.5	5	M	See 181. Comet 1854, 4, Sept. 10, 53°,-16°; Comet 961, Sept. 26–27, 62°,-13°.
88	1928,	Sep.	18.67	92.5	−40.0	4	M
89	1928,	Sep.	18.67	92.9	−1.0	8	M	See 90. Parabolic orbit resembles
90	1928,	Sep.	19.67	94.5	−0.0	5	M	See 89. Comets 1874ii and 1827ii.
91	1928,	Sep.	22.65	76.0	−34.3	5	M
92	1928,	Sep.	22.65	100.0	−20.0	6	M
93	1927,	Sep.	25.48	1.0	−66.0	1	B	Stationary meteor.
94	1928,	Oct.	14.59	56.0	+11.1	5	M	See 98. AMS 699, Oct. 16, 54°,+12°; AMS, 251, Oct. 17, 55°.2,+9°.6; D. 49, 10, Oct. 8–12, 55°,+14°.
95	1928,	Oct.	15.65	84.0	+10.0	7	M	AMS 98, Oct. 18, 84°.2,+8°.6; AMS 104, Oct. 18, 84°.6,+11°.0; AMS 103, Oct. 18, 86°.8,+10°.8; D. 70, 6, Oct. 16–17, 86°,+8°.
96	1928,	Oct.	15.65	89.2	+14.2	15	M	Orionids. See 102, 108, 109, 112, 114. D. 77, 12, Oct. 15–16, 89°,+16°; AMS 92, Oct. 15, 89°.4,+14°.0. See 103.
97	1928,	Oct.	16.64	51.6	−1.4	6	M	AMS 248, Oct. 16, 50°.6,+1°.3; AMS 256, Oct. 19, 49°.5,-0°.8; D. 49, 11, Oct., 52°,+2°.
98	1928,	Oct.	16.64	56.0	+11.0	2	M	Confirms 94.
99	1928,	Oct.	16.64	56.8	+6.4	4	M	AMS 251, Oct. 17, 55°.2,+9°.6; D. 49, 13, 13, Oct. 29-, 54°,+6°; D. 49, 14, Oct. 31-, 54°,+7°.
100	1928,	Oct.	16.64	80.6	−13.2	6	M	D. 71, 3, Oct. 15–18, 84°,-11°.
101	1928,	Oct.	16.64	90.0	+15.0	9	M	Orionids. See 96, 108, 109, 112, 114. D. 77, 14, Oct. 16, 91°+15°; AMS 774, Oct. 16, 91°.0,+15°.5.
102	1928,	Oct.	16.64	93.5	−17.8	5	M	See 113. D. 78, 3, Oct. 12, 93°,-18°.
103	1928,	Oct.	16.66	89.0	+12.0	4	B	AMS 92, Oct. 15, 89°.4, +14°. See 96.
104	1927,	Oct.	18.44	34.5	−5.5	3	B	Including 1 stationary meteor. BAA, Oct. 10, 35°,-10°; BAA, Oct. 23–25, 32°,-9°; BAA, Oct. 27, 35°,-11°.
105	1927,	Oct.	18.44	89.0	+15.0	5	B	Orionids. Meteors too far from radiant for accuracy. AMS 378, Oct. 18, 89°,+14°.2; AMS 11, Oct 18, 88°.9,+12°.9. D. 77, 28, Oct. 18, 90°,+16°.
106	1927,	Oct.	18.44	345.0	−34.0	4	B
107	1927,	Oct.	18.47	71.5	+24.0	4	B	AMS 96, Oct. 16, 77°.4,+20°; ?D. 64, 13.
108	1928,	Oct.	18.65	91.6	+14.6	4	M	Orionids. Poor position. See 96, 101, 109, 112, 114. D. 77, 28, Oct. 18, 90°,+16°; D. 77, 31, Oct. 18–21, 94°,+15°; Olivier, Oct. 18, 91°0,+15°.0; AMS 105, Oct. 18, 91°.2,+14°.2; AMS 114, Oct. 18, 92°.0,+15°.5; Dole, Oct. 18, 91°.5,+14°.8.
109	1927,	Oct.	18.68	91.1	+15.3	4	M	Orionids. See 96, 101, 108, 112, 114. See comparisons for No. 108.
110	1927,	Oct.	19.56	34.5	−15.5	1	B	Stationary meteor.
111	1928,	Oct.	20.62	72.1	−13.0	5	M

112	1928,	Oct.	20.62	92.5	+14.2	12	M	Orionids. See 96, 101, 108, 109, 114. AMS Oct. 20, 92°.0+,14°.0; D. 77, 44, Oct. 20, 91°.5,+15°.0; Olivier, Oct. 20, 91°.5;-15°; D. 77, 43, Oct. 20, 93°,+15°; Dole, Oct. 20, 93°.4, +14°.8; Harvard Photo. Oct. 20, 94°.1,+15°.8.
113	1928,	Oct.	20.62	94.1	−18.8	6	M	See 102. D. 78, 3, Oct. 12, 93°,-18°.
114	1928,	Oct.	24.64	99.4	+13.7	9	M	Orionids (including one stationary meteor.) See 96, 101, 108, 109, 112. Dole, Oct. 24, 99°.1,+16°.6; Olivier Oct. 24, 97°.5,+13°.0; AMS 807, Oct. 24, 97°.4,+15°.0, etc.
115	1927,	Oct.	30.46	4.0	−18.0	4	B
116	1927,	Oct.	30.46	24.0	−37.5	3	B	Meteors close to radiant. BAA, Nov. 1–6, 30°,-35°.
117	1928,	Nov.	12.64	98.0	+9.5	5	M	AMS 165, Nov. 18, 95°.4,+10°.9; AMS 145, Nov. 14, 94°.4,+8°; AMS 399, Nov. 11, 103°,+8°.
118	1928,	Nov.	12.64	106.2	+6.6	5	M	AMS 285, Nov. 15, 107°.9,+7°.2; BAA, Nov. 6. 107°,+9°; AMS 399, Nov. 11, 103°,+8°; D. 91, 15, Nov. 10–13, 107°,+11°.
119	1928,	Nov.	12.64	126.8	+1.8	4	M	D. 96, 8, Nov. 7, 124°,+4°; D. 96, 7, Nov. 3–12, 125°,+5°; BAA 1140, Nov. 15, 124°,-1°; AMS 163, Nov. 16, 130°.7,-1°.2.
120	1928,	Dec.	10.62	68.7+11.2	5	M	D. 57, 9, Nov. 4, 63°,+10°; D. 57, 13, Nov. 17-Dec. 8, 64,+11°; D. 64, 20, Nov. 27–29, 70°,+15°.
121	1928,	Dec.	14.63	111.7	−23.2	3	M	Meteors close to radiant; also seen 1919 and 1920.
122	1928,	Dec.	15.59	97.4	−0.0	2	M	1 stationary meteor included. AMS 434, Dec. 11, 85°.5,+2°.
123	1928,	Dec.	15.59	110.0	−2.0	6	M	Diffuse.
124	1927,	Dec.	24–25	105.0	−42.5	4	B	See 203.
125	1927,	Dec.	24–25	132.0	−30.0	5	B
126	1927,	Dec.	25.45	122.0	−45.0	5	B
127	1927,	Dec.	25.45	140.0	−55.0	5	B

Table 3.
List of Uncertain Radiants.
Ref. No.	Date	G.M.T.d	R.A.	Dec.	No. of Obs. Meteors			Remarks.
128	1928,	Jan.	3–4	86.5	−38.0	2	M	D. 73, 3, Dec., 85°,-37°.
129	1927,	Jan.	10.27	155.0	−25.0	7	B
130	1928,	Jan.	19.53	132.5	−48.0	3	B
131	1927,	Feb.	3.46	139.3	−25.5	3	B
132	1927,	Feb.	3.46	137.5	−24.0		B	Very diffuse.
133	1927,	Feb.	3.46	150.0	−15.0		B	See D. 114.
134	1928,	Feb.	18.60	120.0	−27.0	2	M
135	1928,	Feb.	20.63	285.0	−66.5	3	M
136	1928	Feb.	25.57	274.0	−45.7	3	M
137	1927	Mar.	6.59	277.0	−39.0	3	B	Comet 1590, Mar. 8, 275°,-38°.
138	1927	Mar.	6.59	237.5	−17.0	7	B	D. 178, 2. Mar. 7, 233°,-18°.
Notes: References to catalogues: D is Denning's General Catalogue, BAA is British Astronomical Association's Memoirs, etc., AMS is the work of the American Meteor Society.

139	1927	Mar.	19.48	187.5	−40.0	3	M	See BAA 160; D. 133, 1.
140	1927,	Mar.	31.44	185.0	−69.0		B
141	1928,	Apr.	14.56	255.0	−52.5	2	B
142	1928,	Apr.	19.57	178.0	−61.0	2	B
143	1928	Apr.	19.57	241.5	−24.5	5	B	Diffuse. See 145.
144	1928,	Apr.	19.57	262.0	−32.0	4	B	Diffuse.
145	1928,	Apr.	21.66	242.0	−25.0	3	B	See 143.
146	1928,	Apr.	21.66	303.0	−56.0	7	B	Very diffuse.
147	1921,	May	3.55	1.7	−65.0	2	M
148	1921,	May	3.55	286.0	−56.5	4	M
149	1927,	May	10.68	136.2	−81.5	3	M
150	1927,	May	10.68	360.0	−72.5	3	M
151	1927,	May	11.67	246.2	−46.0	6	M	See 22.
152	1928,	May	30.67	285.0	−31.0	3	M	BAA, May 27, 282°,-24°; D. 210, 4, June 4, 278°,-35°.
153	1928,	May	30.67	315.5	−41.7	3	M
154	1928,	May	30.67	336.0	−39.0	2	M
155	1927,	June	2.49	243.5	−23.7	3	B	D. 190, 7, June 3, 248°,-20°; D. 190, 10, June 7, 249°,-21°.
156	1927,	June	2.49	277.0	−33.0	3	B	D. 210, 4, May 26-June 13, 278°,-35°.
157	1927,	June	3.49	319.0	−37.5	4	B
158	1927,	June	2.68	309.0	−62.5	3	M
159	1927,	June	4.68	342.0	−40.0	5	M
160	1927,	June	4.68	11.2	−63.5	3	M
161	1928,	June	13.64	347.0	−18.3	3	M
162	1928,	June	22.68	274.0	−41.5	2	M
163	1928,	June	22.68	352.5	−15.5	2	M
164	1927,	June	24–26	327.0	−33.0	4	B
165	1928,	July	14.62	330.5	−30.0	3	M	See 55.
166	1928,	July	15.76	12.5	+5.0	3	M	D. 11, 2, July, 18°,+0.
167	1928,	July	15.76	275.0	+2.0	2	M	D. 212, 7, July 15-Aug. 2, 272°,+4°; D. 211, 4, July 5–25, 279°,+1°; D. 211, 3, June 26-July 11, 273°,-2°.
168	1928,	July	16.69	327.2	−2.7	3	M	D. 249, 8, July 25–31, 324°,-6°; D. 249, 5, July 21, 320°,-4°; See D. 251.
169	1928,	July	16.69	342.2	−16.6	3	M	See 170, 67.
170	1925,	July	18–19	337.5	−10.0	3	M	BAA 943, July 22, 338°,-10°; D. 263, 4, July 23–31, 338°,-11°; D. 263, 5, July 25-Aug. 1, 337°,-12°; D. 263, 1, July 20–31, 340°,-8°; BAA, July 12–24, 339°,-13°.
171	1925,	July 18–19	331.0	−61.0	4			M
172	1927, July	28–29	28.0	−68.0	3			B
173	1927, July	31.47	342.0	−30.0	3		B	See 68. D. 262, 3, July 25–30, 343°, -25°; AMS 1195, July 28, 349.5°,-32°.
174	1925, Aug.	18.56	55.2—28.0	3			M	Comet 1558, Aug. 26, 65°,-22°.
175	1921, Aug.	25.48	300.0	−65.0	2		M
176	1925, Sep.	15–16	30.0	−44.0	3		M
177	1928, Sep.	18.67	82.2	−18.0	3		M
178	1928, Sep.	18.67	62.5	−52.0	2		M
179	1928, Sep.	18–19	41.0	+6.0	3	M		D. 38, 1, Sept. 18–26, 43°,+7°.
180	1928, Sep.	22.65	41.0	−32.0	2	M		See 86. Comet 1763, Sept. 20, 44°.5, -24°.
181	1928, Sep.	22.65	60.0	−20.0	2	M		See 87. Comet 961, Sept. 26, 62°,-13°.
182	1927, Sep.	26.7	90.5+15.7	2		M		Casually observed. D. 75, 5, Sept. 15–16, 88°,+17°.
183	1927, Oct. 16.42	52.5	−52.5	3		B
184	1927, Oct. 18.44	47.0+16.0	4			B
185	1927, Oct.	18.44	285.	−33.3	3	B
186	1928, Oct.	18.65	65.0	−17.0	3	M		Comet 1580, Oct. 16, 61°,-7°.
187	1927, Oct.	19.66	90.7+15.2	3		M		Orionids.
188	1928, Oct.	20.62	80.0 + 3.5	2		M		AMS 90, Oct. 15, 80.4°,-2°.7; AMS, Oct. 16, 79°0,+8°.4.

189	1928, Oct.	20.62	104.0+17.0	2		M		D. 90, 16, Oct. 27, 102°,+19°; D. 90, 9, Oct. 14–21, 105°,+22°; AMS 137, Oct. 26, 102°.4,+15°.3; AMS 817, Oct. 27, 102°,+15°.2.
190	1928, Oct.	23.64	93.5+14.9	3°		M		Orionids. Poor position.
191	1928, Oct.	23.64	63.0 + 6.0	2		M		D. 60, 6, Oct. 22, 62°,+6°; AMS 273, Oct. 27, 61°.1,+7°.
192	1928, Oct.	24.64	51.0 + 4.0	3		M		D. ·49, 11, Oct., 50°,+2°; D. 49, 13, Oct. 29, 54°,+6°; D. 49, 15, Oct.- Nov., 51°,+7°; D. 49, 16, Oct.-Nov., 50°,+6°.
193	1928, Oct.	24.64	72.0	−13.0	2		M	AMS, Oct. 25, 64.1°,-16°.3.
194	1927, Nov.	4.	60.0+13.5	2		B		Casually observed. See D. 53, 40, Nov. 6–8, 59°, + 15°; AMS 709, Nov. 6, 58°,+15°.6; etc.
195	1928, Nov.	12.64	83.0	−24.0	3	M		?D. 73, 1.
196	1928, Nov.	12.64	133.0	−18.0	3	M		BAA, Nov. 13, 130°,-20°.
197	1928, Nov.	13.63	76.5 - 0.0	3		M		D. 60, 8, Nov., 68°,+0°.
198	1920, Dec.	13.42	110.0+20.0	3		M		D. 90, 23, Dec. 10, 11°,+21 ½°; D. 90, 22, Dec. 9–13, 109°,+24°.
199	1920, Dec.	13.42	120.0	−35.0	4	M		See 202.
200	1928, Dec.	14.63	89.0 - 9.0	3		M		D. 71, 4, Dec. 10–12, 85°,-10°.
201	1928, Dec.	14.63	143.0	−16.0	3	M
202	1919, Dec.	14–16	110.0	−35.0	9	M		See 199.
203	1928, Dec.	15 59	105.0	−35.0	2	M		D. 85, Jan. 105°,-27°. See 124.
204	1928, Dec.	15.59	157.0	−24.0	3	M

Table 4.
Magnitudes of Meteors.
Observer		>1	1	2	3	4	5	6	Totals.
Bateson	1927	12	65	82	199	272	177	49	856
Bateson	1928	2	22	32	68	128	38	12	302
McIntosh	1925	14	55	39	29	27	1	0	165
McIntosh	1926	13	29	25	22	13	2	1	105
McIntosh	1927	25	30	28	30	14	6	1	134
McIntosh	1928	32	128	133	136	100	87	18	634
Thomsen	1927	3	9	17	19	11	7	6	72
Thomsen	1928	2	7	8	11	8	8	9	53
Totals:	103	345	364	514	573	326	96	2321
Percentages:	4.44	14.87	15.69	22.15	24.70	14.05	4.14		100.00

Table 5.
Colours of Meteors.
Observer		Red	Orange	Yellow	Green	Blue	White	Total
Bateson	1927	38	2	5	24	6	543	618
Bateson	1928	21	4	1	9	6	192	233
McIntosh	1925	11	2	2	0	5	98	118
McIntosh	1926	12	1	5	0	20	64	102
McIntosh	1927	13	2	3	0	8	101	127
McIntosh	1928	75	15	9	2	52	376	529
Thomsen	1927–8	11	9	12	0	0	64	96
Totals:		181	35	37	35	97	1438	1823
Percentages:		9.93	1.92	2.03	1.92	5.32	78.88	100.00

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Table 6.
Durations of Meteors.
	1927 Average Duration	1928 Average Duration	1927–28 Average Duration
Observer	< 1s.1 all mets.	< 1s.1 all mets.	< 1s.1 all mets.
Bateson	0.580 (759) 0.726 (867)	0.556 (252) 0.708 (287)	0.574 (1011) 0.722 (1154)
McIntosh	0.480 (108) 0.686 (128)	0.471 (563) 0.518 (586)	0.473 (671) 0.548 (714)
Totals:	0.568 (867) 0.721 (995)	0.486 (815) 0.580 (873)	0.534 (1682) 0.655 (1868)

Explanation of Tables.

Table 1.—Details of Observations.—This table contains details of all the watches performed by observers. The various columns are self-explanatory. The rate actually observed per hour (column six) is corrected by a factor (column seven) which makes some attempt to correct the rate by allowing for such hindrances to observing as cloud or moonlight. The eighth column then gives the corrected horary rate, or the number of meteors seen by one observer in one hour under perfect observing conditions. In this no allowance has been made for the time spent in recording meteors (about one minute each for an expert observer). The estimation of rates from observations of less than one hour has not been attempted, and a minimum period of two hours would have been preferable. Members are urged to watch for longer periods in future, as they yield more accurate rates.

There is some difference of opinion among meteor observers as to the use of corrected rates. The practice here has been to make very conservative allowances for hindrances, and in most cases the estimated rates for cloudy nights have agreed very satisfactorily with those of adjacent nights when there has been no need to apply a correction. If any do not care to use the corrected rates, the uncorrected rates will be found in the table.

An inspection of the table of rates is of interest as showing very plainly that meteor rates in this hemisphere do not coincide in maximum with those observed in the Northern Hemisphere. The data given in the table are not extensive enough nor uniformly accurate, nor do they cover sufficient days in each month to give a true indication of the frequency of meteors in these skies, yet it has been deemed sufficient to give a forecast of rates, which the present year (1929) has shown to be correct. The following table gives an indication of meteor rates observed in 1927–1928.

Meteor Rates In Southern Hemisphere.
Month	Nights Observed	Horary Rate	Month	Nights Observed	Horary Rate
Jan.	8	11	July	14	20
Feb.	8	11	Aug.	10	20
Mar.	12	14	Sept.	6	13
April	8	15	Oct.	14	19
May	8	19	Nov.	2	9
June	14	17	Dec.	5	15

In the Northern Hemisphere the maximum activity of meteors falls in the second half of the year, and this is not due to the activity of rich meteor showers in July and August. The explanation that has been advanced to account for this is that meteor showers are grouped closely around the meteoric apex, or the point in space toward which the earth's motion is directed, and when the ecliptic (and consequently the earth's apex) is highest most meteors can be seen. If this were so we could reasonably expect to see more meteors in this hemisphere from April to July, when the apex is highest in our skies, than in other months when it is at a comparatively low altitude. The above table appears to confirm this view, showing a marked maximum for the winter months. The rate for October in this table is based on observations made only at the Orionid epoch, and is therefore probably somewhat higher than a rate based on the whole month would be.

By the end of 1929 it is expected that sufficient data will have been secured to enable the publication of a more comprehensive paper on meteor rates.

Table 2.—List of Radiants.—The policy of the section has been to determine radiants from meteors observed within a few hours on one night, not less than four paths intersecting within a circle 2° in diameter, or three meteors on one night and two on the following night, intersecting as described above, or one stationary meteor, being required to form a radiant.

Table 2 contains 127 radiants deduced from the maps of the various observers, and the accuracy of these radiants can be relied upon. The date in each case is given in G.M.T., to hundredths of a day. The number of meteors forming each radiant is also given as affording some indication of the accuracy of the radiant. In the remarks column, comparisons with the work of other observers are given in full, thus obviating reference and showing the standard of accuracy attained by our members. In a good many cases, of course, the New Zealand radiants must be more accurate than those they are compared with, being based on a larger number of meteors and extending over a shorter time-interval.

It must not be overlooked that, apart from the Orionids and the two Aquarid showers, all radiants found were previously quite unknown to the observers, who were thus denied the very real

advantage of knowing what part of the sky to examine for meteors. The director has spent considerable time on the compilation of a catalogue of southern meteor radiants, and the publication of this will undoubtedly aid observers in future work.

In Table 2 no correction has been applied for zenith attraction. As most of the observations have been made after midnight and with the radiants at a fair altitude, the correction for zenith attraction is in general less than the probable error in the determination of the radiants.

Table 3.—Poorly Observed or Suspected Radiants.—In adhering strictly to the definition of a radiant as laid down above the director has felt that he was not justified in discarding altogether some other cases of radiation in which, for various reasons, the observers did not succeed in observing a sufficient number of meteors to entitle the radiants to inclusion in Table 2. These poorly observed or suspected radiants have been grouped together in Table 3. Of these 77 cases undoubtedly a fair percentage actually exists, and in some other cases radiants lie close to the positions given. The list should be useful to observers working on these dates in coming years. The arrangement of the table is similar to that of Table 2.

Table 4.—Magnitudes of Meteors.—This table gives details of the magnitudes of meteors seen by members. The falling off in numbers after the fourth magnitude is reached is probably due to the faintest meteors escaping recognition, rather than to any actual falling off in the numbers of meteors below that magnitude. It is important to note that more faint meteors are seen as an observer gains in experience, as shown to some extent in the table. It may also be mentioned that practically the whole of the observations were made in cities, with the consequent smoke and glare.

Table 5.—Colours of Meteors.—The colours observed in meteors are shown in this table for all meteors of magnitude four or brighter. Where no colour has been assigned by an observer the meteor has been treated as white. The meteors classed as blue by the director were generally no bluer than Sirius, and most of them should undoubtedly have been classified as white.

Only 16.6 per cent. of all meteors show a colour other than white. The table reveals some variations between observers. Bateson sees fewer coloured meteors than Thomsen and McIntosh.

Table 6.—Durations of Meteors.—This table gives an analysis of the durations of all meteors obtained by Bateson and McIntosh in the two years under review. The meteors with duration of 1.0 sec. or under have been treated separately, as any meteor having a duration greater than 1.0 sec. is certainly not a normal meteor. A comparison between the results of each observer reveals close agreement, although Bateson estimated his durations in quarter seconds while McIntosh made his estimations to tenths of a second.

In subsequent reports the statistical tables will be considerably extended and a number of new studies made, this being justified by the standard of accuracy attained by the individual observers.

Unusual Meteors.

During the years under review only one bright fireball was reported in the press. The director gathered observations of this object, a bright, detonating fireball which was visible over most of the Auckland Province on 1928, October 27d. 9h. 50m., G.M.T. A full treatment of this interesting meteor has been published in the Journ. Brit. Astr. Assoc., vol. 39, p. 108. The data obtained were only approximate owing to the rough nature of the observations, but the co-operation afforded by the general public proved that even in a young country like this sufficient observers can be found to make investigations of such fireballs profitable.

The October fireball began 30 miles N.N.E. of Great Barrier Island and ended 10 miles S.E. of Clevedon. Its height was 75 miles at commencement and 25 miles at the end-point. The velocity came out as 27 miles per second, and the radiant was at R.A. 6°, Dec. 24° N.

The fireball was sufficiently brilliant to attract attention in a sky lit by the full moon. The nucleus must have approached ½° in diameter. Several observers saw the fireball break into several smaller balls of fire which quickly died out, and a sound like an explosion was heard all over the Coromandel Peninsula, which lay almost directly under the fireball's path. At Port Charles an explosion was heard three minutes after the passage of the fireball, and this was undoubtedly due to the ballistic wave from the movement of the meteor through the atmosphere. The time interval (3 mins.) would indicate a height at that place of about 36 miles, and the calculated height was found to be 43 miles, which is a good agreement, considering the vague observations made by most observers.

A long-enduring meteor train was noticed by Bateson on 1928, October 16d. 15h. 34m., G.M.T. A meteor as bright as Sirius was observed, covering an arc of 10° in 10 seconds, a remarkably slow body. Its colour was green. The train which it emitted persisted for 85 seconds, during which time it drifted slowly eastwards. Unfortunately the amount of this drift was not recorded at the time.

It was originally hoped to compute parabolic orbits for all the radiants given in this report, but the task was too great to be attempted single-handed, and after spending several months on this task the director found that he could not keep pace with the observations made. Possibly, by the application of a graphical method devised by Rev. M. Davidson, arrears can be overtaken in this direction in a subsequent report.

The year 1929 has so far yielded results surpassing in importance those contained in this report, and the director extends to all inactive members of the Society a cordial invitation to join in this fascinating work and thereby help to place the section on a secure footing. Every assistance will be rendered to inexperienced observers who desire to contribute to the work being performed.

Private Observatory,
1 Melford Street,
Ponsonby, Auckland.
R. A. McIntosh, F.R.A.S.,
Director.