I ventured out to Bootland Farm on the morning of September 9, to observe near the peak of the minor September epsilon Perseids shower. On arrival, I was disappointed to find a completely overcast sky. Luckily, it cleared up after several minutes and I was able to get in a couple of hours of observing until dawn. The transparency was a solid 4/5 quality. It was very humid with some minor ground fog, but it didn¡¯t seem to affect the sky too much. Owls and coyotes were heard in the distance most of the time.
Between 2:45am and 4:47am local time, I saw 22 meteors (including 6 September epsilon Perseids, 3 nu Eridanids, one September Lyncid and 12 sporadics). The September epsilon Perseids had rapid, short paths and seemed to radiate from a point located a few degrees further to the south than the published position.
The highlight of the night was at 07:47 UT (3:47am EDT) with an exceptionally SLOW moving and vividly blue +1 sporadic! It was shaped like a tear drop and it crawled for several seconds below Gemini, persisting for a few more seconds, before fading away. It was about the speed of a fast moving satellite! A beautiful meteor!
September 8/9 2021, 06:45-08:47 UT (02:45-04:47 EDT)
Location: Bootland Farm, Ontario, Canada
(Long: -76 deg 29¡¯ West; Lat: 45 deg 23' North)
IMO session:
Observed showers:
zeta Draconids (AUD) - 15:36 (234) +56
Anthelion (ANT) - 23:40 (355) -02
August beta Piscids (NDA) - 00:18 (005) +10
September epsilon Perseids (SPE) - 02:52 (064) +39
nu Eridanids (NUE) - 04:16 (043) -01
eta Eridanids (ERI) - 04:25 (066) -05
September Lyncids (SLY) - 06:36 (099) +55
06:45-07:45 UT (02:45-03:45 EDT); 4/5 trans; F 1.00; LM 6.48; facing SSE50 deg; teff 1.00 hr
SPE: three: +2; +4(2)
NUE: two: +3; +4
Sporadics: six: +2(2); +3; +4(2); +5
Total meteors: Eleven
07:45-08:47 UT (03:45-04:47 EDT); 4/5 trans; F 1.00; LM 6.45; facing SSE50 deg; teff 1.00 hr
SPE: three: +2; +4(2)
NUE: one: +5
SLY: one: +4
Sporadics: six: +1; +4; +5(3); +6
Total meteors: Eleven
Total meteors for this session: 22
Clear skies,
Pierre Martin
Ottawa, Ontario
