Meteor Club Chair:

Scott Kranz
106 N Darrowby Drive
Raymore, MO 64083-9181
(816) 331-5796
E-mail: s.kranz1@comcast.net

Introduction.

Meteor observing is both fun and scientifically useful.  It does not require expenseive equipment, only your two eyes.  Becoming a member of the Meteor Club only requires that you are willing to allocate some of your time to looking for nature's fireworks.  In addition, your observations can contribute to research on meteors and meteor streams by the Assocation of Lunar and Planetary Observers (A.L.P.O.).

To share your data with the A.L.P.O., mail the report forms in a timely manner to the A.L.P.O. Meteors Section, 1828 Cobblecreek Street, Chula Vista, CA 91913, within 30 days of observation. Your report will then be added with other observers across North America and published in A.L.P.O.'s quarterly journal The Strolling Astronomer. The Section Recorder will archive a copy and send a copy to Europe for analysis by the International Meteor Organization.

Another organization interested in meteors and meteor observing is the American Meteor Society.  You can get more information on them by clicking here.

More information on meteor observing:

What are meteors and why do they glow?

How do I go about observing meteors for fun and science?

How to report your observations.

The American Meteor Society's list of major meteor showers.

The Meteor Club.

The Astronomical League offers special recognition in the form of a Meteor Club Certificate for those that have dedicated a substantial amount of time to observing meteors in an organized way. To qualify you must either be a Member-at-Large or be a member of an astronomical society which is affiliated with the League. To obtain an award you must observe the following rules:

Rule 1:

Observe meteors for at least 6 hours. You must observe at least one hour each session. Your notes must show all the information on the meteor observing form:

a. Date of observation;
b. Time of observation (beginning and end);
c. Location of observation (Place name, Latitude, Longitude, and Elevation);
c. Observer's name;
d. Percent cloudy at each hour during the observing period;
e. Direction faced and altitude observed and time of any changes;
f. Sky conditions at each hour during the observing period;
g. Beginning and ending time of any breaks;
h. Coments on the observations;
f. Time, magnitude, shower membership, color, speed, train (if any), and     comments for each meteor observed.

Rule 2:

Send a copy of your observations to:

Scott Kranz
106 N Darrowby Drive
Raymore, MO 64083-9181
(816) 331-5796
E-mail: s.kranz1@comcast.net

Be sure you keep a copy of all your observations, as there is always the possibility that they could be lost in the mail. A Certificate of Membership in the Meteor Club and award pin will be forwarded to your or your Society for presentation at a meeting.

Rule 3:

When you have observed for 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 hours, send in your additional observations to Mr. Kranz, indicating that you have completed the observations for an additional six-hour certificate. When you have reached 36 hours, you will receive an Honorary membership certificate. Be sure to indicate the return address. After 36 hours, it is no longer necessary to send your observations to the Astronomical League, but be sure to continue sending them to A.L.P.O.

 

Enjoy your observing!