From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Pierre Martin <pmartin@...>
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2022 12:30:03 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: [OAFs] Observing the Geminids tonight in the east end is a GO!

Hello all!

I plan to be out to observe the Geminids meteor shower tonight, at a dark sky site east of Ottawa.

It has been a long while since we've done any group observing sessions, therefore I'm extending an invitation to join me if you are interested in having some company.

The location is on the side of a quiet country road. ?It is called Johnston Rd, and located just east of the town of Bourget, about 45 minutes east of Ottawa. ?This is a decently dark area with no lights, and has some excellent horizons. ?It has become my typical "winter go to" site for the east end, due to its quietness (traffic at night is very rare), the road wideness, and for being reliability plowed. ?Here's a link to the exact location on Google maps. ?It's a fairly easy drive. ?Note that my exact position along that road might not be exact. ?If it is very windy, I may relocate further down the road to gain the protection from a row of trees.



Tonight, the gibbous moon rises at 9:20pm, so meteor observing will be affected — with reduced numbers. ?However, the Geminids are well known for producing bright, colourful meteors especially near and shortly after the peak. ?It is arguably the year's best and most reliable meteor shower, and also my favourite so I feel that the effort to bundle up and head out in the cold is worth it. ?The exact peak time is tomorrow morning after sunrise, but the Geminids typically show near max rates for several hours.

The weather is expected to be clear all night, with the exception of some possible clouds between 8-10pm. ?Nevertherless, I plan to get there around 9pm to setup and stay until the morning. ?Due the bright moon, I'll likely observe mostly facing the north (and keep the moon's glare behind me). ?Expect temperature of -5C (will feel like -11) at around 9pm, and a low of -8C (will feel like -13) at around 4am.

If you are interested in coming to setup a scope, that's fine but we cannot block the road (traffic is unlikely but still possible). ?The best approach is setting up on the side of the road, along a single file. ?I will have reflective markers to warn any possible motorists. ?If you are interested in watching the Geminids, all you need is a lounge chair and a warm sleeping bag and lots of blankets. ?I also highly recommend air activated or battery "hand and feet warmers". ?Trust me, it's a lot easier to get cold when you're not moving much.?

If the weather is good tomorrow night (and so far it looks promising), I may return early in the evening to observe any post-maximum activity (possibly brighter meteors).

If interested, please let me know so that I get an idea who wants to join in. ?

Cheers!

- Pierre