Review by Leo Enright, July 1986.
Observe Meteors: The Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers' Meteor Observer's
Guide by David H. Levy and Stephen J. Edberg. Pages: 55. 21.5cm. X 28cm. Astronomical
League Publication. 1986. Price: $10.00.
If you are an amateur astronomer and enjoy meteor observing, this is the book for
you. In fact, if you are interested in studying or generally reviewing what is known
about meteors, then you would surely be interested in the latest of the Astronomical
League's observing guides. It is called simply Observe Meteors and was written by two
individuals eminently qualified to tutor those who might be interested in observing the
streaks of light that flash through the sky any night of the year, but periodically
become much more abundant.
David Levy, our Centre's Vice-President, has observed meteors over several decades
and from many locations on this continent, dating back to the 1950s when he was a member
of the very active and dedicated group of meteor observers in the Montreal Centre of our
Society. More recently, he has been made the Recorder of the Meteor Section of the
Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, and is the editor of their newsletter
called Tails and Trails.
Stephen Edberg is also known for his observing projects over many years, for his
astrophotography, and professionally for his work in solar research. In recent years,
much of his attention has been given to Halley's Comet, since he was the Coordinator for
Amateur Observations for the International Halley Watch and editor of the Observer's
Manual that all serious amateurs used to study the comet. In fact, in the July issue of
Astronomy magazine, he was called "Mr. Comet".
The booklet begins with a brief historical note on meteor shower observing, a
thorough glossary of the terms associated with meteor studies, and tips on what to
record and how properly to prepare and make these observations, which are among the
easiest for beginners to do since there is no equipment to purchase or learn to use, and
no sophisticated techniques to master. There follows a chapter listing and describing
the major meteor showers seen throughout the year. The subsequent chapters explain how
to get the most from a meteor observing session by using proper planning and procedures,
how to observe in groups of five, ten, and fifteen, how to report the data collected,
and also how to photograph meteors. Two of the useful appendices are the ones giving an
extensive bibliography and the proper forms to be used in reporting visual, radio,
photographed, or telescopic meteors, as well as the fireball report form. A very
delightful section is the Appendix called "Shooting Stars and Falling Pebbles: Meteors
In The Classroom"; it deals with teaching children about these fascinating objects in
the sky and getting them involved in a meteor watch.
There are many sections that will be found useful even by the seasoned observer. The
sections on telescopic meteor observations, on re-entering satellites and on the
reduction of data gathered by a group of observers, as well as the ones dealing with
triangulation and meteor spectroscopy, are among the best examples. Throughout, the
wording is clear and the style is straightforward. Occasionally, a bit of dry humour is
detectable; in one sentence, about the importance of staying awake during an observing
session, it is more than noticeable: "Getting too comfortable, of course, increases the
risk of actually falling asleep, and it is the considered opinion of both authors that
this will decrease somewhat the total number of meteors you see."
Just as a year ago, I recommended the publication Observe Comets by the same authors
(RASC Kingston Centre, Regulus, May-June, 1985, page 5), so again I suggest that Observe Meteors will be a
most useful compendium for all who presently do, or plan to, observe those flashing
streaks of light that shoot across the night skies.