Finding the Sky's Limiting Magnitude

While gazing and waiting, you'll have plenty of time to find the limiting magnitude in the part of the sky you're watching. One way is to check the visibility of stars in and around the Little Dipper (if you live at a northerly latitude). Use the chart to find the visual magnitude of the faintest star you can see with the naked eye. Check again at least once an hour to track subtle changes in sky conditions, always noting the time. Even a small change in sky clarity has a big effect on the number of meteors you see.

Most observers like to take a break once an hour to get up, move around, and have a cup of coffee. Note the beginning and end times of each break. If you're writing, also record how much time you spend looking down at your clipboard to record a meteor if this amounts to more than a few percent of the total. Count how many seconds your note-taking requires per meteor; you may be surprised at how much time it adds up to.

Even if you observe without a break, separate your records with a time annotation at least once an hour. A watch that beeps on the hour will help remind you. Also note the part of the sky where you spend most of the time looking.

For simple meteor observing and counting, that's about it. If you want to go to the next level check out our Advanced Meteor Observing section on this Web site.