Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand [electronic resource]

Observation of Meteors for the Years 1932–34 in New Zealand

By R. A. McIntosh, F.R.A.S.
[Communicated by C. E. Adams.]

[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, September 25th, 1935; received by the Editor, September 2, 1935; issued separately, June, 1936.]

This report, covering the work performed in the three years 1932–34, is the third published by the Meteor Section of the New Zealand Astronomical Society, Inc., the earlier reports appearing in Transactions of the New Zealand Institute, vol. 60, p. 448 (1927–28) and vol. 63, p. 443 (1929–31), and reprinted as Bulletins 5 and 21 of the New Zealand Astronomical Society, Inc. The present paper is on the same general lines as the preceding reports, to the explanatory portions of which reference should be made.

Practically no meteoric research has been undertaken in the Southern Hemisphere beyond the work done in this country. The section therefore has had an unexplored field in which to work, and the primary objectives necessarily have been to determine the various centres of meteoric radiation south of the celestial equator and to ascertain the rate of meteoric activity and its variation. At the same time no opportunity has been neglected to carry on special studies as far as the limited personnel would permit. While handicapped by little foreknowledge of rates and radiants, the section has benefited from the experience of contemporary bodies in the Northern Hemisphere, and has been able to avoid some of the pitfalls which have retarded northern meteor observers.

The following table summarises the work performed by the various observers during the period covered by the report:—

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

Observer.	Symbol.	h. m.	Mets.	h. m.	Mets	h. m.	Mets.	h. m.	Mets.
			1932.		1933.		1934.		Total.
Bateson, F.	(Ba)	13 15	168	1 35	32	—	—	14 50	200
Butterton, M.	(Bu)	36 56	503	5 21	40	—	—	42 17	543
Geddes, M.	(G)	65 52	1131	35 13	726	12 6	266	113 11	2123
McIntosh, R.	(Mc)	36 50	642	8 2	175	14 24	209	59 16	1026
^*Alchin, R.	(Al)	2 30	5	5 15	32	—	—	7 45	37
*Bryce, A.	(By)	1 25	9	4 40	24	—	—	6 5	33
*Morshead, F	(Mo)	8 45	0	—	—	—	—	8 45	0
		——	——	——	——	——	——	——	——
	Totals	165 33	2458	60 10	1029	26 30	475	252 9	3962

Observers assisting only on special occasions.

The low totals for 1934 were occasioned mainly by unfavourable weather.

It will be seen from the above table that an average of 15 meteors an hour was observed under all types of observing conditions.

[Footnote] * Observers assisting only on special occasions. The low totals for 1934 were occasioned mainly by unfavourable weather.

Reports of 55 telescopic meteors also were received from members of the New Zealand Astronomical Society during the three years as follows:—

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	1932	1933	1934	Total.
Bateson. F.	–	6	–	6
Butterton, M.	2	–	–	2
Bryce, A.	–	2	2	4
Geddes, M.	–	9	5	14
McIntosh, R.	1	–	–	1
Morshead, F	3	4	6	13
Thomsen, I.	1	2	0	3
Smith, G.	0	3	8	11
Wilkinson, D.	1	–	–	1
	—	—	—	—
Total	8	26	21	55

The services of various persons not members of the Meteor Section who volunteered for special campaigns are acknowledged as follows:—Auckland: L. D. Neil (1932 Leonids), Mrs R. A. McIntosh (1932 Leonids and Peltier-Whipple meteors). Hamilton: A. Bryce and R. Alchin, assisted by various members of the Hamilton Astronomical Society (1932 Leonids, 1933 Aquarids, Byrd Expedition observations, 1934). New Plymouth: F. J. Morshead (Leonids, Byrd), D. Wilkinson (Leonids, Byrd), Dr Home (Leonids). Eltham: F. Gawith (Byrd). Dunedin: G. S. Smith (Leonids).

The section's work is performed on similar lines to those of the American Meteor Society. The observers record the paths of meteors on special gnomonic maps, at the same time noting details of physical appearance, the whole record requiring less than a minute per meteor for an experienced observer. While every encouragement is given to observers to learn how to reduce their own observations, thereby gaining a lasting interest in meteoric astronomy, all observations are examined by the director, who alone is responsible for the deductions made. The observations are standardised and the reductions uniform. Acknowledgment is due to Dr C. P. Olivier, president of the American Meteor Society, to whom the director is indebted for personal guidance in the past and through whose kindness the recording maps and blanks are supplied to our members.

An important feature of the section's activities lies in the collection of data concerning meteorites and fireballs in this country. This aspect of our work brings the section frequently before the notice of the general public and creates an interest in meteors which it is hoped ultimately will provide additions to the ranks of our regular observers. To facilitate the collection of fireball data from the general public and the prompt notification of any particularly interesting objects, agencies have been established in eleven centres well scattered over the two islands, the majority of agents being persons with experience of meteor-observing. All reports collected are forwarded to the director for examination and publication. In the period covered by this report data of eight fireballs have been collected from 187 observers, while an additional 84 isolated reports of bright meteors have been received.

When the late Dr Malzev, of Tashkent Observatory, found that the newly-discovered comet Peltier-Whipple was likely to provide a southern meteor shower in September, 1932, the information was cabled to the director and a special watch was made in this country by all members of the section. Clouds and moonlight, however, effectively combined to prevent any shower being observed.

The section also co-operated with Byrd's Second Antarctic Expedition, 1934, in the plan for the world-wide observation of meteor rates. Four standard reticles were used in this country, and observations were secured on most of the selected dates. Bad weather, however, frustrated the attempt to secure heights of meteors, for never did more than one station secure clear skies on a selected date.

Elaborate preparations were made to observe the 1932 return of the Leonids, a number of persons not regularly observing being enlisted for the purpose. Moon and clouds once again combined to nullify our efforts, although the director was able to determine a Leonid radiant on November 16. At Hamilton on the night of the expected shower a party of eight observers was on watch. In all £300 worth of cameras and telescopes were employed, but the sky remained clouded throughout.

A list of the most prominent meteor-showers, as revealed by the observations of the section, was published in the second report (Bulletin 21). Below are given notes of further radiants detected in the present period, additional to those previously published:—

Alpha Virginids.—Mean centre of radiation, 206°—10°; observed on April 16. A prominent shower.

Beta Piscid Australids.—335°–35°. July 17 to August 1, five radiants.

Eta Capricornids.—315°–20°. July 23–August 1, four radiants.

Iota Aquarids.—330°–14°. July 26–August 6, six radiants.

Nu Puppids.—100°–44.5° December 5–7 A rich shower.

In a number of instances observed radiants have been found to lie close to the predicted positions of cometary meteor showers. Such cases are tabulated below:—

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No.	Date.	Radiant.	Remarks.
		° °
	—Jan. 6	187—22	Comet 1860iv
608	1932 Jan. 13	182.5—20.3
	—Feb. 5	201.4—33.6	Comet 1887iii.
614	1932 Feb. 3	203.5—37.5
	—June 26	19.2—11.5	Comet 1874ii.
706	1934 June 22	11.7—11.3
	—July 10	19.5—41.5	Comet 1886iii.
725	1933 July 22	19.0—46.0
	—Sept. 10	53.0—16.0	Comet 1854iv.
837	1032 Sept. 30	53.0—18.5

The results of observations throughout New Zealand during 1932–1934 are given in the following tables:—

Table I. Details of Observations.
Date.	Began. h. m.	Ended. h. m.	Tl. m.	Meteors.	Rate.	Factor.	Corrected Rate.	Ob.	Stn.	Sky.
		N.Z.M.T.
1932.
Jan. 4	21 27	23 30	123	16	12	1.0	12	G	NP	Clouds last 40m.
" 6–7	21 48	01 00	198	32	10	1.0	10	G	NP	Clear.
" 12–13	22 24	01 56	212	46	13	1.0	13	G	NP	Clear.
" 14	02 42	03 01	19	6	15	0.7	21	Mc	Ak	Misty and very cloudy.
" 17	21 47	23 32	105	12	7	0.8	8	G	NP	Clear; moon 8d.
Feb. 3–4	22 44	01 00	136	30	13	0.9	15	G	Ot	Slight haze.
" 13	22 50	23 28	38	5	8	1.0	8	Ba	Wn	Clear.
Mar. 6–7	22 11	01 20	189	27	8	1.0	8	G	Ot	50% clouds 1st hour.
" 7–8	22 20	00 20	120	26	13	0.8	16	G	Ot	Clear.
" 11–12	22 52	01 52	180	30	10	09	11	G	Ot	Passing clouds.
" 17	02 26	03 42	76	9	7	1.0	7	Mc	Ak	Clear.
Apl. 6–7	22 16	02 00	224	49	13	0.8	16	G	Ot	Clouds at times.
" 11	02 38	04 40	122	29	14	0.9	16	Mc	Ak	Some cloud 1st hour.
" 12	02 40	04 25	105	21	11	0.8	14	Mc	Ak	Some cloud; misty.
" 25	18 45	20 45	120	11	5	1.0	5	Bu	Wn	Clear.
May 3	00 55	04 20	205	58	16	1.0	16	G	Ot	Clear.
" 4	02 55	04 50	115	39	20	1.0	20	Mc	Ak	Clear.
" 4	20 15	21 45	90	2	1	0.8	1	Bu	Wn	Passing clouds.
" 5	01 05	05 07	242	100	25	1.0	25	G	Ot	Clear.
" 5	02 55	04 20	85	33	23	0.9	26	Mc	Ak	Some cloud.
" 5	21 45	22 55	70	8	7	1.0	7	Bu	Wn	Clear.
" 6	01 27	02 02	35	6	10	1.0	10	G	Ot	Clear.
" 6	02 30	05 30	180	63	21	1.0	21	Bu	Wn	Clear.
" 6	02 37	06 02	205	92	27	1.0	27	G	Ot	Clear.
" 6–7 23	18 01	40	142	19	8	1.0	8	Ba	Wn	Clear.
" 7	01 00	01 50	50	10	12	09	13	Bu	Wn	Some cloud.
" 7	02 25	05 58	213	78	22	0.7	31	G	Ot	Frequent cloud.
" 7	02 20	03 00	40	9	13	0.9	15	Bu	Wn	Some cloud.
" 8	21 22	23 52	150	26	10	1.0	10	Bu	Wn	Slight haze.
" 9	02 10	05 31	201	63	19	0.6	31	G	Ot	Passing clouds.
" 9	02 35	04 19	91	22	15	10	15	Mc	Ak	Clear; 13m clouded.
" 13	03 37	04 30	83	24	17	0.9	19	Mc	Ak	Clouds at times.
" 14	02 48	05 30	162	48	18	1.0	18	Mc	Ak	Clear.
" 17	03 00	04 50	110	36	20	1.0	20	Mc	Ak	Clear.
" 27	21 58	22 35	37	7	13	1.0	13	G	Ot Clear.
" 28	22 11	23 11	60	8	8	1.0	8	Bu	Wn	Clear.
June 2	02 55	04 15	80	17	13	1.0	13	Mc	Ak	Clear; mist at end.
" 6–7	23 10	01 10	120	31	15	1.0	15	Bu	Wn	Clear.
" 10	02 45	04 45	120	30	16	1.0	15	Mc	Ak	Clear.
" 11	12 23	15 01	13	118	25	12	0.9	13	G	Ot	Moon 8d.
" 13	02 58	04 40	94	20	13	1.0	13	Mc	Ak	Clear; mist at end.
" 14	02 43	05 00	137	38	16	0.9	18	Mc	Ak	Mist until 3½h.
" 22	18 35	19 35	60	4	4	1.0	4	Bu	Wn	Clouds at end.
" 30–1	23 17	00 25	68	18	16	0.8	20	G	Ot	Much cloud and haze.

1932.
July 2	00 45	02 20	95	21	14	0.8	17	Ba	Wn	Clear lh., then cloudy.
" 15	05 15	06 15	60	18	18	1.0	18	Bu	Wn	Clear.
" 28	00 00	02 00	120	44	22	1.0	22	Bu	Wn	Clear.
" 29	00 18	01 20	62	16	16	0.5	32	Ba	Wn	Passing cloud.
" 29	02 32	04 32	120	64	32	0.8	40	Mc	Ak	Clear; moon after 3½h.
" 29	20 05	21 50	105	13	7	0.5	15	G	Ot	Clear lh., then cloudy.
" 29–30	22 05	01 10	185	67	22	1.0	22	Ba	Wn	Clear.
" 30	02 05	03 30	85	49	34	1.0	34	Ba	Wn	Clear.
" 30	02 33	04 33	120	58	29	1.0	29	Bu	Wn	Clear.
" 30	02 40	04 30	110	50	27	1.0	27	Mc	Ak	Clear.
" 30–31	22 24	00 45	141	57	24	0.9	27	G	Ot	Hazy.
" 31	01 08	01 22	14	6	26	0.9	29	G	Ot	Hazy.
" 31–1	23 10	01 10	120	62	31	1.0	31	Bu	Wn	Clear.
" 31–1	23 15	01 45	150	61	24	0.8	30	G	Ot	Passing cloud; -haze.
Aug. 1	02 35	04 35	120	44	22	1.0	22	Mc	Ak	Clear.
" 1–2	23 40	01 40	120	57	28	1.0	28	Bu	Wn	Clear.
" 2	00 10	03 43	213	127	36	1.0	36	G	Ot	Clear.
" 3	00 08	00 58	50	25	30	1.0	30	G	Ot	Clear.
" 3–4	22 40	01 10	150	39	16	0.5	32	G	Ot	Passing cloud; haze.
" 6–7	22 52	23 52	60	17	17	0.9	19	G	Ot	Haze last ½h.
" 7	00 52	02 00	62	21	21	0.9	23	G	Ot	Haze last ½h.
Sept. 1–2	23 00	01 00	120	30	15	1.0	15	Bu	Wn	Clear.
" 6	00 25	01 25	60	10	10	1.0	10	G	Ot	Clear.
" 6–7	23 34	00 40	66	11	10	0.9	11	G	Ot	Moon 5d. 1st hour.
" 7	02 55	03 40	45	12	16	1.0	16	Mc	Ak Some cloud.
" 10	03 54	04 40	46	12	16	1.0	16	Mc	Ak	Clear.
" 20	21 57	23 07	70	6	6	1.0	6	G	Ot	Slight haze at end.
" 25	23 35	00 35	60	6	6	1.0	6	Bu	Wn	Slight haze.
Oct. 1	00 15	04 15	240	42	10	1.0	10	Bu	Wn	Clear.
" 3	02 50	03 50	60	8	8	1.0	8	Mc	Ak	Clear.
Nov. 4	02 38	03 39	61	13	13	1.0	13	Mc	Ak	Clear.
" 15	02 15	03 40	30	0	–	–	–	Bu	Wn	Clear; full moon.
" 15	02 20	03 35	75	4	–	–	–	Ba	Wn	Clear; full moon.
" 15	02 40	03 40	60	2–	–	–	Mc	Ak	Clear; full moon.
" 15	03 15	04 45	90	0	–	–	–	Mo	NP	Clear; full moon.
" 16	02 00	04 30	–	0	–	–	–	Mo	NP	Occasional cloud gaps.
" 16	02 51	04 00	69	6	–	–	–	Mc	Ak	Clouds; bright moon.
" 16	03 00	04 25	85	9	–	–	–	By	Hn	Clear bright moon.
" 16	03 00	04 30	90	5	–	–	–	Al	Hn	Clear; bright moon.
" 17	01 47	03 50	113	1	–	–	–	Ba	Wn	Clear at intervals; moon.
" 17	02 00	04 10	130	4	–	–	–	Bu	Wn	Passing cloud; moon.
" 18	02 00	04 10	130	4	–	–	–	Bu	Wu	Bright moon.
" 18	02 40	04 00	80	7	–	–	–	Mc	Ak	Passing Clouds; moon.
" 18	02 45	03 45	60	0	–	–	–	Al	Hn	Some cloud; moon.
Dec. 31	23 20	23 46	26	3	–	–	–	Bu	Wn	Clear.
1933.
Jan. 3–4	23 57	00 44	47
	01 10	01 23	13	13	13	0.5	26	G	NP	Passing cloud.
" 24–25	23 04	01 30	146	40	16	1.0	16	G	NP	Clear.
" 21	21 15	21 54	39	3	–	–	–	Bu	Wn	Clear.
" 22	23 25	23 55	30	4	8	1.0	8	G	Ot	Clear at first.
Mar. 2	00 10	01 19	69	14	12	1.0	12	G	Ot	Clear.
" 3	22 35	23 37	62	10	10	1.0	10	Bu	Wu	Clear.
Apl. 5	23 00	23 30	30	4	8	1.0	8	Bu	Wn	Clear; moon setting.
" 16	22 10	23 15	65	7	7	1.0	7	Bu	Wn	Clear.

1933.
May 1	00 52	01 00	8	1	–	–	–	G	Ot	Clouds.
" 4	01 11	03 11	120	22	11	0.5	22	G	Ot	Haze; passing clouds.
" 4	03 08	05 10	101	38	23	0.8	29	Mc	Ak	Misty; passing clouds.
" 6	01	29	03	15	106	25	15	0.7	21	G	Ot	Cloudy at end.
" 7	02 19	04 19	120	28	14	0.7	20	G	Ot	Moon; passing cloud.
" 24–25	22 59	00 55	116	31	16	1.0	16	G	Ot	Clear.
June 29	22 21	23 47	86	27	19	0.8	24	G	Ot	Passing haze.
July 2	00 29	02 24	115	34	18	0.9	20	G	Ot	Clear; moon 1st ½h.
" 18	21 52	23 00	68	11	10	0.4	25	G	Ot	Almost totally clouded.
" 21	01 45	04 20	155	56	21	1.0	21	G	Ot Clear.
" 23	01 48	05 45	237	109	28	0.9	31	G	Ot	Fog and cloud.
" 23–24	22 07	00 30	143	46	19	0.6	31	G	Ot	Passing cloud.
" 26–27	23 30	03 27	237	138	34	1.0	34	G	Ot	Clear.
" 27	02 50	04 40	110	31	17	1.0	17	Mc	Ak	Clear.
" 27	03 00	05 50	170	48	17	1.0	17	By	Hn	Clear.
" 28	03 00	06 00	180	25	8	1.0	8	Al	Hn	Clear.
" 29	00 13	03 54	221	103	28	0.7	40	G	Ot	Thick haze.
" 29	00 55	02 30	95	51	32	1.0	32	Ba	Wn	Clear.
" 29	02 55	05 45	170	74	26	1.0	26	Mc	Ak	Cleat.
Aug. 1	00 54	02 10	76	28	22	0.5	44	G	Ot	Moon 8d. haze.
" 1	04 30	04 35	5	3	–	–	–	By Hn	Fog.
" 2	03 00	04 45	105	13	7	0.7	10	By	Hn	Showery; moon.
" 2	03 00	05 15	135	7	–	–	–	Al	Hn	Cloudy with rain.
Oct. 16	02 26 03	10	44	8	11	0.8	14	Mc	Ak	Passing clouds.
" 24	02 30	03 27	57	14	14	1.0	14	Mc Ak Clear.
Nov. 14	03	15	03	45	30	3	–	–	–	Bu	Wu	Cloud and haze.
" 16	02 40	03 50	70	7	6	1.0	6	Bu	Wn	Clear.
" 17	03 15	03 40	25	3	–	–	–	Bu	Wn
1934.
Mar. 26	02 55	04 20	85	13	9	1.0	9	Mc	Ak	Clear.
Apl. 16	00 03	01 03	60	15	15	1.0	15	G	Ot	Clear.
May 15	02 53	04 00	21	4	12	0.8	15	Mc	Ak	Passing cloud.
" 25	02 50	04 00	70	15	13	0.8	15	Mc	Ak	Very misty.
June 11	02 45	03 20	35	2	–	–	–	Mc	Ak	Misty clouds.
" 14	02 45	04 45	120	22	11	1.0	11	Mc	Ak	Clear.
" 15	00 02	02 08	126	50	25	0.9	28	G	Ot	Passing clouds.
" 16	02 47	03 50	63	24	23	1.0	23	Mc	Ak	Clear.
" 23	03 10	04 30	65	23	21	0.9	23	Mc	Ak	Passing clouds.
July 12–13	23 27	00 28	61	14	14	0.6	23	G	Ot	50% Passing cloud.
" 18	02 45	03 30	45	14	19	1.0	19	Mc	Ak	Clear.
" 19	02 55	04 00	62	19	19	1.0	19	Mc	Ak	Clear.
Aug. 1–2	23 43	00 57	74	30	24	0.8	30	G	Ot	Hazy.
" 6–7	22 30	00 56	146	56	23	1.0	23	G	Ot	Clear.
" 7	03 45	04 45	60	17	17	1.0	17	Mc	Ak	Slight mist.
" 8–9	22 45	03 04	259	100	23	1.0	23	G	Ot	Clear.
" 11	03 03	04 35	92	23	15	1.0	15	Mc	Ak	Clear.
Sept. 7	02 45	04 00	75	15	12	1.0	12	Mc	Ak	Clear.
Dec. 6	02 26	02 57	31	9	18	0.9	20	Mc	Ak	Clear; dawn.
" 7	02 23	03 03	40	9	13	0.8	16	Mc	Ak	Clear; dawn.

The abbreviations in the column “Station” are as follows:—Ak Auckland, Hn Hamilton, NP New Plymouth, Wn Wellington, Ot Otekura.

Table II. List of Radiant Points Observed.
No.	Date.	G.M.T.	R.A.	Dec.	Mets.	Wt.	Obs.	L.	Remarks.
			Radiant
		d.	°	°				°
604	1932—Jan.	6.50	115.0	−14.8	⅘	F	G	194.9
605	1932—Jan.	6.50	168.0	−59.0	⅚	G	G	"	NZ 3.
606	1932—Jan.	12.53	180.0	−15.6	5	G	G	201.0	NZ 209, 608.
607	1932—Jan.	12.53	184.0	−64.0	3/6	F	G	"
608	1932—Jan.	13.64	182.5	−20.3	4	G	Mc	202.1	Inc. I statu. 209 606.
609	1933—Jan.	24.55	141.0	−0.5	4	F	G	213.8
610	1933—Jan.	24.55	149.5	−24.5	5/7	G	G	"
611	1933—Jan.	24.55	188.0	−38.5	⅘	G	G	"
612	1933—Jan.	24.55	198.0	−23.5	6	G	G	"
613	1932—Feb.	3.52	189.0	−48.5	¾	F	G	223.0
614	1932—Feb.	3.52	203.5	−37.5	5	F	G	"
615	1932—Feb.	3.52	209.0	−31.0	4	G	G
616	1932—Mar.	6.52	185.9	−69.0	4	G	G	254.9
617	1932—Mar.	6.52	242.7	−54.7	6	G	G	"	? NZ 622.
618	1932—Mar.	7.49	162.0	−15.6	⅘	G	G	255.9
619	1932—Mar.	7.49	205.0	−34.0	¾	G	G	"	D. 156, 3.
620	1932—Mar.	7.49	263.0	−78.8	1	G	G	"	1 stationary.
621	1932—Mar.	11.53	210.0	−80.0	4	F	G	260.0
622	1932—Mar.	1153	240.0	−52.0	5	G	G	"	? NZ 617.
623	1934—Mar.	25.67	272.5	−27.5	4	G	Mc	273.4
624	1932—Apl.	6.53	222.5	−11.5	4/6	G	G	285.6	NZ 241.
625	1932—Apl.	6.53	2247	−380	¾	F	G	"
626	1932—Apl.	10.67	256.0	−56.5	1	G	Mc	289.6	1 statn. NZ 290.
627	1932—Apl.	10.67	275.0	−28.0	⅘	G	Mc
628	1932—Apl.	11.67	240.5	−26.0	4	G	Mc	290.6	NZ 143, 145.
629	1932—Apl.	10–11e	286.5	−21.0	⅘	G	Mc	290.1
630	1934—Apl.	15.48	107.2	−66.9	1	G	G	293.9	1 stationary.
631	1933—Apl.	16.43	206.0	−10.0	4	G	Bu	295.1	Vir.
632	1932—May	2.62	258.0	−20.0	⅘	F	G	311.1	D. 190, 2.
633	1932—May	2.62	285.0	−25.0	¾	F	G	"	NZ 687.
634	1932—May	2.62	295.0	−40.0	4	G	G	"	NZ 644.
635	1932—May	2.62	318.0	−36.0	5	F	G	"	Diffuse.
636	1932—May	2.62	335.5	−2.5	5	F	G	"	Diffuse. Aqr.
637	1933—May	3.60	299.5	−7.5	¾	F	G	311.9	NZ 645
638	1933—May	3.60	336.3	−0.8	8	G	G	"	Aqi.
639	1932—May	3.68	26.0	14.0	2	G	Mc	312.2	Inc. 1 statn. D. 200, 7.
640	1932—May	3.68	335.0	−1.0	16	G	Mc	"	Aqr.
641	193—May	3.69	335.0	−1.5	12	G	Mc	312.0	Aqr.
642	1932—May	4.65	277.0	−24.0	4	F	G	313.1	Lambda Sgr.
643	1932—May	4.65	284.0	−16.0	4	F	G	"	NZ 655, 670.
644	1932—May	4.65	294.5	−45.5	6	G	G	"	? NZ 634.
645	1932—May	4.65	296.7	−5.0	5	F	G	"	NZ 637.
646	1932—May	4.65	320.0	−19.0	4	G	G	"	Delta Cap.
647	1932—May	4.65	320.0	−34.0	¾	P	G	"	Iota PsA.
648	1932—May	4.65	337.5	−2.0	34	G	G	"	Diffuse. Eta Aqr.
649	1932—May	4.67	276.5	−26.0	5/7	G	Me	313.1	Diffuse. Lambda Sgr.
650	1932—May	4.67	285.0	−50.0	4	G	Mc	"
651	1932—May	4.67	336.5	−1.0	7	F	Mc	"	Diffuse. Eta Aqr.
652	1933—May	5.60	281.0	−30.5	⅗	P	G	313.8	NZ 654, 678.
653	1933—May	5.00	337	5	−0.5	6	G	313.8	Eta Aqr.

654	1932–May	5.67	281.0	−36.0	5	F	G	314.1	NZ 652, 678.
655	1932–May	5.67	285.0	−15.0	⅘	F	G	"	NZ 643, 670.
656	1932–May	5.67	293.5	10.0	7	G	G	"	Gamma Aql.
657	1932–May	5.67	308.0	15.0	4	G	G	"	Beta Del.
658	1932–May	5.67	321.0	−18.0	6	F	G	"	Delta Cap.
659	1932–May	5.67	337.5	−0.8	23	G	G	"	Diffuse. Eta Aqr.
660	1932–May	5.67	346.0	−40.7	5	G	G	"
661	1932–May	4–5c	296.0	−33.5	5	F	Bu	313.6
662	1932–May	4–5c	325.0	−15.0	6	F	Bu	"	Delta Cap.
663	1932–May	4–5c	336.0	−28.0	6/8	F	Bu	"	Diffuse.
664	1932–May	4–5c	337.0	−2.0	13	F	Bu	"	Diffuse. Eta Aqr.
665	1932–May	6.54	235.5	−24.5	¾	G	Ba	315.1
666	1933–May	6.66	310.0	−32.0	4	G	G	314.8
667	1933–May	6.66	337.5	0.0	5	P	G	"	Eta Aqr.
668	1932–May	6.69	267.3	−36.0	4	F	G	315.2
669	1932–May	6.69	338.6	−0.6	29	G	G	"	Eta Aqr.
670	1932–May	7.60	282.0	−19.0	5	F	Bu	316.1	NZ 643, 655.
671	1932–May	8.66	340.0	0.0	6	G	Mc	317.0	Eta Aqr.
672	1932–May	8.68	270.7	−8.6	4/6	G	G	317.0
673	1932–May	8.68	303.8	−16.8	⅗	G	G	"	Beta Cap.
674	1932–May	8.68	309.2	14.2	4	G	G	"	Beta Del.
675	1932–May	8.68	318.0	−57.0	4	G	G	"
676	1932–May	8.68	323.0	−34.0	6	G	G	"	Iota PsA.
677	1932–May	8.68	339.3	1.0	13	G	G	"	Eta Aqr.
678	1932–May	12.68	284.5	−340	7	G	Mc	321.0	NZ 652.
679	1932–May	12.68	285.0	−5.0	⅗	F	Mc	"
680	1932–May	12.68	309.0	14.0	4	G	Mc	"	Beta Del.
681	1932–May	12.68	330.0	−20.0	4	F	Mc	"
682	1932–May	12.68	334.0	−34.0	4/6	G	Mc	"	Iota PsA.
683	1932–May	12.68	343.7	2.5	13	G	Mc	"	Eta Aqr.
684	1932–May	16.68	244.0	−33.0	4	P	Mc	324.9	Diffuse. NZ 376.
685	1932–May	16.68	264.0	−17.0	4	G	Mc	"
686	1932–May	16.68	279.0	9.5	4	P	Mc	"	? D. 212.
687	1932–May	16.68	286.5	−27.5	⅚	G	Mc	"	NZ 633.
688	1933–May	24.50	246.0	−39.0	⅗	G	G	332.2
689	1933–May	24.50	267.5	−30.5	⅘	F	G
690	1932–May	31.42	217.7	−172	1	G	G	339.2	1 statn.
691	1932–June	1.67	282.0	−34.0	¾	G	Mc	340.3	NZ 385, 36.
692	1932–June	6.53	296.0	−12.0	4	G	Bu	345.3	NZ 704, AMS 1066.
693	1932–June	9.68	276.0	−30.0	⅚	F	Mc	348.4	Diffuse. 388, 391, 304.
694	1932–June	11.56	283.0	−27.5	⅚	F	G	350.3	NZ 34, AMS 1054. 702.
695	1934–June	13.68	307.5	−18.0	5	G	Mc	351.6
696	1934–June	13.68	326.5	−29.0	5	G	Mc	"
697	1932–June	12–13c	9.5	−27.5	⅘	F	Mc	351.5
698	1932–June	12–13c	277.5	−20.5	5	F	Mc	"	Diffuse.
699	1932–June	12–13c	337.5	−33.0	5	G	Mc	"	Iota PsA.
700	1932–June	12–13c	351.0	−14.0	⅘	F	Mc	"
701	1934–June	14.57	268.0	−19.0	8	G	G	352.5	AMS 1005, D. 204, 1.
702	1934–June	14.57	277.0	−35.0	¾	F	G	"	NZ 388, 693.
703	1934–June	14.57	343.5	−45.5	4	G	G	"	NZ 37, 159. [1066.]
704	1934–June	15.66	290.0	−14.5	6	G	Mc	353.6	NZ 400, 403, 707, AMS
705	1934–June	15.66	333.5	−7.5	1	G	Mc	"	1 stats. AMS 1150.
706	1934–June	22.68	11.7	−11.3	1	G	Mc	0.4	1 statn. meteor.
707	1934–June	22.68	296.0	−11.0	6	G	Mc	"	400, 403, 704.
708	1933–June	28.48	261.0	−33.0	3/6	F	G	6.2
709	1932–June	30.52	301.0	−15.5	5	F	G	8.4	? 44.
710	1932–July	1.58	329.0	−45.0	4	F	Ba	9.4
711	1933–July	1.58	324.8	−14.6	⅘	G	G	9.2	Iota Cap.
712	1933–July	1.58	331.4	−12.8	⅘	G	G	9.2
713	1933–July	1.58	336.7	−48.0	4	G	G	"
714	1933–July	1.58	342.0	−28.0	⅗	F	G

715	1932–July	14.76	48.0	−82.0	6	G	Bu	219
716	1934–July	17–18c	14.0	−20.5	⅚	G	Mc	25.4	Beta Cet.
717	1934–July	17–18c	334.0	−37.5	¾	F	Mc	"	Beta PsA.
718	1933–July	18.47	316.8	−17.8	2	G	G	25.6	Inc. 1 statn.
719	1933–July	20.64	10.5	−21.0	5	G	G	27.7	Beta Cet.
720	1933–July	20.0	20.0	−43.5	⅚	G	G	"	59.
721	1933–July	20.64	324.5	−17.0	⅘	G	G	"	Iota Cap.
722	1933–July	20.64	334.7	−35.5	5	G	G	"	Beta PsA.
723	1933–July	20.64	348.0	−32.0	5/7		G	"	Alpha PsA.
724	1933–July	22.64	17.5	−53.0	¾	F	G	29.6
725	1933–July	22.64	19.0	−46.0	6/9	G	G	"	751.
726	1933–July	22.64	37.5	−1.0	⅚	G	G	"
727	1933–July	22.64	51.5	−32.5	8/9	G	G	"
728	1933–July	22.64	57.5	4.5	4	G	G	"
729	1933–July	22.64	325.5	−15.2	5/7	G	G	"	Iota Cap.
730	1933–July	22.64	339.0	−33.0	6	G	G	"	Beta PsA.
731	1933–July	22.64	339.6	−19.0	6/7	G	G	"	Delta Aqr.
732	1933–July	23.47	314.0	−200	⅚	G	G	30.5	Eta Cap.
733	1933–July	23.47	315.0	−42.0	4	G	G	"	AMS 1473.
734	1933–July	23.47	340.0	−20.0	5	G	G	"	Delta Aqr.
735	1933–July	26.58	4.5	−2.5	2/4	P	G	33.4	AMS 543.
736	1933–July	26.58	17.4	4.5	7	G	G	"	D. 11, 4.
737	1933–July	26.58	30.5	−34.3	4	G	G	"	? 458.
738	1933–July	26.68	31.7	−17.0	4	G	G	"	464.
739	1933–July	26.58	313.5	−19.0	15	G	G	"	Eta Cap.
740	1933–July	26.58	319.5	−30.0	7/9	G	G	"
741	1933–July	26.58	322.5	−41.5	4	G	G	"	66, 73.
742	1933–July	26.58	327.5	−15.0	5	P	G	"	Iota Cap.
743	1933–July	26.58	330.0	−14.0	4/6	G	G	"	Iota Aqr.
744	1933–July	28.58	340.0	−29.0	11/17	G	G	"	Alpha PsA.
745	1933–July	26.58	341.7	−17.4	9	G	G	"	Delta Aqr.
746	1933–July	26.58	351.3	−18.7	6	G	G	"	57, 823, ? 762.
747	1933–July	26.68	4.0	−22.5	¾	G	Mc	33.5	Beta Cet.
748	1933–July	26.68	68.0	−54.	4	G	Mc	"
749	1933–July	26.68	342.0	−17.5	6	G	Mc	"	Delta Aqr.
750	1933–July	26.69	5.0	−12.0	4	F	By	33.5	D. 4, 1; 4, 2; NZ 507.
751	1933–July	26.69	15.5	−42.5	5	G	By	"	725.
752	1933–July	26.69	314.0	−30.0	⅞	F	By	"	Diffuse.
753	1933–July	26.69	315.0	−22.0	6	F	By	"	Diffuse. Eta Cap.
754	1933–July	26.69	341.0	−30.5	4	F	By	"	Alpha PsA.
755	1933–July	26.69	339.5	−20.0	4	F	By	"	Delta Aqr.
756	1932–July	27.50	337.0	−18.0	12	P	Bu	"	Diffuse. Delta Aqr.
757	1933–July	27.56	339.0	−250	7	F	Bu	"	75, 551. D. 262.
758	1932–July	28.55	340.0	−17.5	8	G	Ba	35.6	Delta Aqr.
759	1933–July	28.59	333.0	−33.5	6	F	Ba	"	Beta PsA.
760	1933–July	28.59	341.0	−17.0	5/11	G	Ba	"	Diffuse. Delta Aqr.
761	1933–July	28.59	350.7	−130.5	G	Ba	"	823, ? 746.
762	1933–July	28.60	325.0	−14.0	⅘	G	G	35.7	Iota Cap.
763	1933–July	28.60	337.0	−12.0	6	G	G	"	Iota Aqr.
764	1933–July	28.60	341.0	−31.5	6/8	G	G	35.7	Alpha PsA.
765	1933–July	28.60	342.3	−17.5	27	G	G	"	Delta Aqr.
766	1933–July	28.60	342.7	−17.2	1	G	G	"	1 statn. Delta Aqr.
767	1932–July	28.67	11.5	−11.0	⅘	F	Mc	35.5	65, 793.
768	1932–July	28.67	320.0	−14.0	4/6	G	Mc	"	? Iota Cap.
769	1932–July	28.67	340.0	−27.5	4	F	Mc	"	Alpha PsA.
770	1932–July	28.67	341.0	−16.5	17	G	Mc	"	Delta Aqr.
771	1933–July	28.70	40.0	4.0	4	F	Mc	35.5
772	1933–July	28.70	342.0	−18.0	10	G	Mc	"	Delta Aqr.
773	1933–July	28.70	349.5	−3.0	10	G	Mc	"	AMS 8, 1530; D. 263, 208.
774	1933–July	20.28c	25.0	−55.5	6	G	Mc	34.5

775	1932–July	29.40	339.0	−17.8	5	F	G	36.4	Delta Aqr.
776	1932–July	29.51	340.0	−17.5	8	G	Ba	36.5	Delta Aqr.
777	1932–July	29.55	341.0	−17.5	22	G	Ba	"	Delta Aqr.
778	1932–July	29.55	345.0	−18.0	1	G	Ba	"	1 statn.
779	1932–July	29.58	335.0	−16.0	8	G	Ba	"	Iota Aqr.
780	1932–July	29.54	327.0	−21.0	19	G	Ba	"	? Iota Cap.
781	1932–July	29.61	337.5	−9.5	7	G	Ba	"	AMS 1173.
782	1932–July	29.63	336.0	2.5	4	G	Ba	"	D. 260, 7.
783	1932–July	29.67	342.0	−16.0	14	P	Bu	"	Diffuse. Delta Aqr.
784	1932–July	29.67	325.0	−13.0	¾	F	Mc	"	Iota Cap.
785	1932–July	29.67	336.0	−0.5	5	G	Mc	"	Zeta Aqr.
786	1932–July	29.67	338.0	−25.0	¾	P	Mc	"	Alpha PsA.
787	1932–July	29.67	342.0	−17.0	14	G	Mc	"	Delta Aqr.
788	1932–July	30.50	320.0	−13.5	⅚	F	G	37.5	Iota Cap.
789	1932–July	30.50	331.5	−14.5	9	G	G	"	Iota Aqr.
790	1932–July	30.50	334.5	−1.0	3	F	G	"	Zeta Aqr.
791	1932–July	30.50	343.0	−17.0	14	G	G	"	Delta Aqr.
792	1932–July	30.50	345.0	−22.0	4	G	G	"	? Alpha PsA.
793	1932–July	30.67	19.0	−11.0	⅗	F	Mc	"	65, 768, AMS 1236.
794	1932–July	30.67	101.0	5.0	4	P	Mc	"
795	1932–July	30.67	343.0	−16.5	14	G	Mc	"	Delta Aqr.
796	1932–July	30.67	345.5	−27.5	4	G	Mc	"	Alpha PsA.
797	1932–July	31.53	329.0	9.0	8/9	F	Bu	38.5	AMS 1127, 1484, D. 252.
798	1932–July	31.53	343.0	−15.0	19	F	Bu	"	Diffuse. Delta Aqr.
799	1932–July	31.54	333.0	−14.0	⅘	G	G	"	Iota Aqr.
800	1932–July	31.54	343.5	−16.0	12/13	G	G	"	Delta Aqr.
801	1932–July	31.54	348.5	−29.0	5	F	G	"	Alpha PsA.
802	1933–July	31.58	344.0	−16.0	14	G	G	38.4	Delta Aqr.
803	1933–Jly.	31–Ag. lc	341.0	−30.5	4	F	By	39.0	Alpha PsA.
804	1934–Aug.	1.54	343.5	−17.0	9	G	G	38.2	Delta Aqr.
805	1932–Aug.	1.55	340.0	−25.0	7/9	P	Bu	39.5	? Alpha PsA.
806	1932–Aug.	1.55	345.0	−14.5	12	G	Bu	"	Delta Aqr.
807	1932–Aug.	1.60	11.0	−18.5	8/11	G	G	39.5	Beta Cet.
808	1932–Aug.	1.60	29.0	−10.5	3/6	G	G	"	446.
809	1932–Aug.	1.60	39.0	−3.5	5/7	G	G	"	472.
810	1932–Aug.	1.60	333.0	−17.5	6	G	G	"	AMS 1507.
811	1932–Aug.	1.60	335.0	−35.0	8	G	G	"	Beta PsA.
812	1932–Aug.	1.60	340.0	−30.0	8/11	G	G	"	Alpha PsA Diffuse.
813	1932–Aug.	1.60	344.0	−16.0	22	G	G	"	Diffuse. Delta Aqr.
814	1932–Aug.	1.60	354.0	−20.5	9/12	G	G	"	d¹ Aqr.
815	1932–Aug.	2.54	343.5	−15.5	6/7	G	G	40.4	Delta Aqr.
816	1932–Aug.	2–3c	345.0	−15.0	6	F	G	40.9	Delta Aqr.
817	1932–Aug.	3–6c	18.5	−45	¾	F	G	43.8	? D. 11, 5. [1497.
818	1932–Aug.	3–6c	334.0	−27.5	4/6	G	G	"	75, 551; D. 262, AMS 1157.
819	1932–Aug.	3–6c	346.0	−13.0	⅚	G	G	"	Delta Aqr.
820	1934–Aug.	6.61	324.0	−62.0	⅘	G	G	43.9
821	1934–Aug.	6.61	333.5	−13.0	5	G	G	"	Iota Aqr.
822	1934–Aug.	6.61	345.5	−150	6/7	P	G	"	Delta Aqr.
823	1934–Aug.	6.61	354.5	−10.0	5	F	G	"	746, 762.
324	1934–Aug.	6.70	347.5	−11.5	¾	G	Mc	44.0	Delta Aqr.
825	1934–Aug.	8.56	15.0	22.0	9/13	G	G	45.9
826	1934–Aug.	8.56	58.5	−19.5	1	G	G	"	1 statu. ? 479.
827	1934–Aug.	8.56	97.5	−56.5	2	G	G	"	Inc. 1 statn.
828	1934–Aug.	8.56	340.5	−41.0	5/9	G	G	"
829	1934–Aug.	8.56	340.5	−27.5	12	G	G	"	Alpha PsA.
830	1934–Aug.	8.56	345.0	−15.5	11	F	G	"	Delta Aqr.
831	1932–Sept.	1.48	21.5	−11.5	8	G	Bu	69.6	? 543.
832	1932–Sept.	1.53	31.0	0.0	1	G	Bu	"	1 statn.
833	1932–Sept.	6.66	67.0	2.5	⅘	G	Mc	74.7	D. 60, 3.
834	1934–Sept.	6.66	19.0	−5.5	¾	G	Mc	74.2	D. 14, 5.
835	1934–Sept.	6.66	30.0	19.0	¾	G	Mc	"	D. 27, 8; 27, 9.

836	1932–Sept.	30.61	47.5	−52.5	6	G	Bu	98.2
837	1932–Sept.	30.61	53.0	−18.5	6	F	Bu	"
838	1932–Sept.	30.61	75.0	−18.0	4	P	Bu	"	T.C. 220 ?.
839	1934–Oct.	23.64	60.0	3.7	¾	G	Mc	120.4	D. 60, 6.
840	1934–Oct.	23.64	94.0	15.5	¾	F	Mc	"	Orionids.
841	1932–Oct.	30.49	87.0	−9.0	5	G	Bu	127.7
842	1932–Nov.	15.66	147.5	25.5	5	G	Mc	143.8	Leonids.
843	1933–Nov.	22.54	0.0	−76.5	1	G	G	150.4	1 statn telesc.
844	1934–Dec.	5–6c	64.0	−49.5	2/4	F	Mc	163.8
845	1934–Dec.	6.63	100.0	−44.5	7	G	Mc	164.3	124, 594.

In the “Remarks” column D refers to Denning's General Catalogue of Meteor Radiants, the first figures to the group, the final ones to the radiant number; AMS refers to the various lists of the American Meteor Society; BAA to the radiants of the British Astronomical Association; numbers without initial letters, or in some cases with NZ prefixed, refer to the radiants published by the Meteor Section of the New Zealand Astronomical Society, Inc. TC to Circulars of the Tashkent Observatory.

Explanation of Tables

Table I.—Details of Observations. This table gives details of the watches performed by the various observers, and is similar in form to those in the previous reports. The rate actually observed per hour (column 6) is corrected by a factor (column 7) which attempts to make allowance for hindrances to observation, such as clouds or moonlight the corrected rate being given in column 8. The estimation of rates has not been attempted for very short watches or in cases where the hindrance to observation was too great for any certainty to be attached to the factor.

Table II.—List of Radiants. This follows the form in the preceding report, being arranged in order of date. At least four meteors observed on one night and intersecting in a circle 2° in diameter, or at least five on adjacent nights, or one stationary meteor being required to form these radiants.

The numerous statistical tables published in previous reports will not be included in future. The collection of the statistics is being continued, however, and eventually will be made the subject of a special paper.

Conclusion.

The need for additional meteor observers in the Southern Hemisphere, and especially in this country, remains acute. Although the section has contributed considerable data to our knowledge, or lack of knowledge, of the southern meteor showers, the need for a larger annual output is revealed by the work remaining to be done. In the past ten years, for example, there were 150 dates in the year on which no observations were secured, while on a further 109 days observations have been secured only once in the period. On only 106 days of the year have observations been secured more than once. The months from March to August have been fairly satisfactorily covered by observers, but for the months September to February inclusive, the most comfortable observing period of the year, observations are very few in number, although there are indications that some fairly high rates of meteoric activity can be secured in the period.

Private Observatory, 23 Hollywood Avenue, Epsom, Auckland, S.E.3. August 14, 1935.