Errors in visual meteor observations
Abstract
Simultaneous visual and radar observations of Perseid, minor-shower, and sporadic meteors obtained at Onsala Observatory at selected times during 1958-1975 are compiled and investigated statistically in terms of magnitude and plotting errors in the visual observations. The data and results are presented in tables and graphs, and it is found that the magnitude scales of experienced observers deviate by less than + or - 0.20 mag, while the visual magnitudes of multiply observed meteors have a standard deviation of + or 0.58 mag, and the plotting error varies from + or - 5.5 deg elevation for fast meteors to + or - 4.3 deg elevation for slow meteors. The magnitude error is shown to vary with the angular distance from the center of the field but not with the meteor angular velocity.
- Publication:
-
Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors
- Pub Date:
- 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983acm..proc..451L
- Keywords:
-
- Magnitude;
- Meteoroid Showers;
- Meteoroids;
- Position Errors;
- Radar Tracking;
- Visual Observation;
- Angular Velocity;
- Perseid Meteoroids;
- Astronomy