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Re: i need help on leonids?

Hello John,

>  hello list
>   this is the first time IM writing the list
>   IM just getting into meteors and what not
>   my location is Ocala, Florida 60 miles NE of Tampa 

Ocala, um, I know where that is.

>   i would like some help...
>   where do i look for the showers?(i know nothing about longitude and 
> latitude 
>  just north south east west)

Look to the east around the constellation Leo (hence the name "Leonids").  
You don't have to know longitude or latitude or even right ascention or 
declination.  Just scan that area of the sky.

>   i have a 500 mm telephoto lens on a tripod with a Minolta 35 mm camera
>   i would like to take some pictures

Uh, negative on the 500mm lens.  Too narrow of a visual field.  IMHO a wide 
angle lens or even a plain old 50mm lens would be better.  You are more 
likely to capture something with a longer trail.

>   i have used 3600, 3200, and 400 speed film and concerts but would like 
any 
>  info on       picture taking of the shower 

Man, that's some speed!!!
I would opt for hte 400 at first.  Most 3600 and 3200 speed films are too 
grainy.
Just set the camera on "bulb" (if you have that setting) and leave the 
shutter open for a few minutes.  Use a cable release if you have one.  The 
stars will trail but I think this makes for rather interesting looking photos 
with the long streaks amid the apparently slow moving star trails.  However, 
the nice thing about 35mm photography is the ability to experiment.  Change 
the shutter speed, lens, open the shutter for a few minutes then place 
something over the lens, then remove for a few minutes, etc.  Thats part of 
the fun! 

>   i would like any responses ASAP as my wife is out of town i thinks IM a 
nut 
>   for trying this
>   she returns Thursday the 18th
>   this is Tuesday the 16th
>   PLEASE DONT TELL ME I MISSED IT......PLEASE

The peak is supposed to be tomorrow but meteor showers have a way of peaking 
slightly earlier or later than predicted.  Get some practice tonight for the 
"real thing" tomorrow.

-Walter

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