Abstract
Bright Meteor Photographed.—The Journal of the B.A.A. for January contains a reproduction of an interesting photograph of a bright meteor, obtained on Sept. 19, 1930, by E. H. Collinson at Ipswich. The meteor was observed visually by Mr. J. P. M. Prentice at Stowmarket. From a combination of the two, Mr. A. King has deduced the path of the meteor; the speed came out 24 m.p.s., which is 3 m.p.s. less than the parabolic speed. The luminous flight began at a height of 79 miles, and ended at one of 54 miles. The photograph indicates three explosions; after each of them the track on the plate suddenly widened, and then gradually grew narrow again; the calculated heights at the explosions are 68J, 61, and 58 miles respectively. The path produced ended in the sea, 16 miles south-east of Brightlingsea. The inclination of the path was 52°, and the perihelion distance 0-34 unit. The motion was inward. Most meteor photographs have been obtained accidentally on plates exposed for other purposes; but Mr. Collinson uses a specially constructed automatic camera for the purpose of securing them; he is to be congratulated on this fine result.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Our Astronomical Column. Nature 127, 286 (1931). https://doi.org/10.1038/127286b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/127286b0