Let's Try to record Geminids - Dec. 1

     The Geminid meteors are expected to peak around December 13th, with 

possibly larger objects predominating after the peak.  Although not of 

storm caliber like the recent Leonids, the Geminids do have a 

respectible rate and include many large meteors.  The lunar geometry is 

quite favorable this year with the Moon being a waxing crescent.  So 

wherever you are, I recommend trying to record the dark side of the Moon 

as much as possible both the evenings of December 13th and 14th, local 

dates.  In eastern North America, the Moon will be 30% sunlit on the 

13th and 39% sunlit on the 14th.  We will place predictions for some 

occultations during these nights for at least North American locations 

on IOTA's Web site at http://www.lunar-occultations.com/iota

     As noted earlier, those using Schmidt-Cassegrain and other long 

focal-length telescopes can both enlargen their field of view and 

increase sensitivity by using focal-reducing lenses.  Wayne Warren 

searched different sources for these and found the lowest cost, around 

$120, from Adorama.

David Dunham, IOTA, 1999 December 1