Don't miss the meteor shower

Post by **PeteC** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:18 am

Don't miss the meteor shower
Published on November 3, 2009
The Nation

Sky will rain stars in two weeks as the Leonids blow in

A meteor shower will greet Thailand's stargazers during the early hours of November 18.

Anyone interested in seeing the sky raining stars is advised to prepare themselves just before midnight on the 17th.

"If the sky is clear, we will see more than 100 meteors streaming down as the clock ticks past midnight," National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand official Suparerk Karuhanont said yesterday.

The spectacular Leonid meteor shower will be visible to the naked eye, he added.

"The Leonids will be more clearly visible at locations with the least electric lighting," Suparerk said. "But for a closer look, bring along binoculars with 7x to10x magnifying power".

Beaches, mountains and other locations away from the light pollution of big cities will offer the best views.

"Stargazers should spend at least 15 minutes in the |darkness before the meteor shower comes," Suparerk advised.

He said clear skies would present a memorable scene. "In addition to the meteor shower, sky watchers will be able to see several star clusters including the Pleiades.

For more information on celestial treats, check out www.Narit.or.th.

Post by **PeteC** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:35 am

A question for the camera experts here. Can you photograph something like this at night with a digital, or do you really need some kind of a special film camera? Pete

Post by **hhfarang** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:42 am

I think you would have the same problems/results with either one. Must use a tripod and some kind of remote shutter release to keep the camera from moving and then use a long exposure setting to gather as much light and motion as possible.

Post by **Norseman** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:49 am

The shutter speed to a ordinary film camera needs to be at least between 3 to 4 minutes if you want to capture any trails from a comet.
If you use a digital camera however, the shutter speed can be set to 1 minute with an ISO setting of 800 and aperture fully open.
A tripod and a wide angle lens is a must of course.

To do this you need total darkness, no street lights etc.
You will find the constellation Leo, (seemingly where the Leonides comes from) in the east, between Saturn and Mars at 05:00 in the morning.
If you wait much longer than that the coming daylight will spoil it all.
Between 02:30 and 05:15 is your only chance to view it because Leo is not over the horizon in all it's glory before 02:30.

Don't expect to see anything without total darkness.

Post by **STEVE G** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:17 pm

If anyone is up in Issan, I've found the that out in the villages there is very little light pollution and you can get a spectacular view of night sky.
Every time I'm up there I keep thinking I should buy a telescope and take more interest in astronomy.

Spitfire · Post by **Spitfire** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:26 pm

Very true Steve, out in the villages would provide an excellent view and I've also seen some spectacular night skys at my Mrs's place, as Norseman pointed out your location will be key to seeing anything. An addition of a telescope would be a great idea too if you have a countryside house.

Post by **buksida** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:40 pm

Bangsaphan is very similar, great views and no light pollution on the beach there. Unfortunately you need to drive a fair few kilometers to escape Hua Hin's urban sprawl to get the same effect!

Will try and get a few shots anyway providing there is no cloud cover.

Post by **The understudy** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:46 pm

Hi there everyone

My Photography Teacher @ the University way inside Palm Hills Golf Course Ajarn Francrois told me to open the Shutter for two Min. @ the widest Angle duirn the last meteor shower a few years ago. I'll try to be @ the Stamford Campus which should be dark enough to see the Leonides comming don on us!.

Your's The undersudy!