mn90403 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Hello Meteorite Hunters:Last year I participated in a meteorite hunt at Franconia which was the 10 year anniversary of the field. I found gold and a good meteorite over a 4 day period. This year I want to go back but also watch a meteor shower and a comet.I have looked at a time for an outing on a weekend and it seems that December 13th and 14th are the best for 2013-14 season for a couple of reasons. 1. Comet ISOM http://earthsky.org/space/big-sun-diving-comet-ison-might-be-spectacular-in-2013 The crescendo of the apparition will likely occur between December 10th and 14th, when the comet will be best seen just before dawn after the moon sets. Although little or perhaps nothing of the head will remain, the huge tail will loom in the northeastern sky. Almost evenly illuminated over its length, this rapidly fading appendage could [span] almost a quarter of the heavens as seen under good, dark observing conditions. 2. The Geminids http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earthskys-meteor-shower-guide#geminids In 2013, a bright waxing gibbous moon will interfere with the Geminids throughout most of the peak night. Your best bet is to watch on the mornings of December 13 and 14, from moonset until dawn. The moon will be setting about 4 AM if I read it correctly so there would be about 2 hours of darkness before the sun gets in the way. During the day we can hunt for meteorites in a well known and defined field. Another date of note would be January 3, 2014 which is the peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower and this will be a dark sky! The comet will be mostly gone however. Camping is available on BLM land south of the freeway and I think a few 'experts' would show up to help us out with the sky. I'm planning to go. Who will meet me and your friends there? Mitchel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twink Monrad Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I plan to be there and am sure my hunting partner Don Morin would like to go. Either date would work for me.Twink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saginaw72 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Hi Mitchel.Sounds like an interesting schedule. I'll be there. Weather permitting, camping sounds like a perfect option.Never been to Franconia. Liked the stories I heard from you and Karl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfarris Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Mitchel,Sounds good to me...it's on my calendar.Karl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikestang Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 If I have the time free around the holidays I'd love to head out, but my calendar is always tight that time of year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DolanDave Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Mitchel, If nothing gets in the way I should be able to attend a day or 2.Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepyjim Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 As a newby if allowed, I'll be there, camping sounds like a perfect way to go.Never been to Franconia. Liked the stories I heard and read here. Heck even if I find zip, I get to meet you all and that is great!Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted July 26, 2013 Author Share Posted July 26, 2013 Jim,Franconia is an open place with big sky and no trees. There are few mountains to obstruct the view. Camping spots are 'easy' as there are many level places. Fires are allowed but we need to bring our own wood. The main camping area is about 3 miles south of Interstate 40 at the Franconia Road exit. There are two truck stops with showers and facilities 2 miles from Franconia Road.Hunting for meteorites and gold can be frustrating. Meteor watching can be spectacular. We just need a dark sky to see the comet. This was an opportunity to plan a date for hunting and watching at the same time.I certainly am not an expert nor have I been hunting in the deserts for very long but I enjoy it. I encourage everyone to come out and watch, learn and hunt with some of the original hunters of the field. They know who they are and I hope they bring back some of their better finds to show us all.Twink, Dave and Mike have great collections, pictures and stories and I'm glad they will try to make it out. Mitchel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepyjim Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Excellent! I have my cal marked and am trying to get a newly given MH up and running for the event, but if not I will tent it!Thanks,JIm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nugget Shooter Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I will also try to make this one! Sounds like a great outing and I will pin this thread... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Bill,I hope the skies are clear and I plan to attend the Gold Basin outing. The comet may be showing then and I'm sure you will have some people out there going for gold and meteorites. One additional reason for Franconia is that your Gold Basin outing will have been just a few weeks before.Mitchel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peakbager Posted August 2, 2013 Share Posted August 2, 2013 Sounds like fun and plan on being there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saginaw72 Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 Hi Mitchell. Seems like the comet may not live up to the hype...http://www.space.com...redictions.html Too bad if true, I was looking forward to it. But, it maybe, will fool everyone and be spectacular. Saginaw -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted August 17, 2013 Author Share Posted August 17, 2013 Saginaw,Well ... we'll still have the meteor shower and of course there are the meteorites we will be hunting. We can only hope that the predawn will have some sight of the comet.Mitchel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted September 16, 2013 Author Share Posted September 16, 2013 Comet ISOM update:http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-09-13/news/ct-met-comet-ison-20130913_1_international-scientific-optical-network-comet-ison-brightest-cometBottom line ... it might be bright and it might not. Keep reading as the time gets closer to Thanksgiving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I cant get up at 4 am , but maybe I can go meteorite & gold hunting. I will consider going to this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desert hound Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 Absolutely, count me in. I am new to this prospecting game and I need all the help I can get. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share Posted October 22, 2013 Hound,You'll meet up with a few people who have hunted this area for years and give you an idea about what is still left to find and what has already been found. I have been many trips without finding anything but just like most of the desert, it is beautiful out there!Mitchel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edheinrich Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 We are not going to make gold basin so we will hopefully make this one.Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 Here is a picture of the Comet Ison and the latest news.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/01/comet-ison-photo-space-rock-sun_n_4192057.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertsunburn Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Hi all!Wendy and I plan on being there. Pulling the trailer this time and bringing the quad. I seem to have a good record of getting flats on the quad within 30 seconds of being on the ground! I have 2 gallons of that green stuff in the tires this time. Maybe that will help until I find some 8 or 10 ply tires.Will be arriving mid morning on Friday to set up at camp, then it's off to hunt.Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desertsunburn Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Oh...and I am bringing my moonshine too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted November 15, 2013 Author Share Posted November 15, 2013 Jim,I am very pleased to know you and Wendy are coming. We will all benefit from your knowledge of the area.Last night I was in Gold Basin in my Trooper and I was watching the Leonid meteor shower after the moon had set about 4 AM. I think in a month the conditions in the sky at Franconia will be similar.I don't know how many people will want to get up and watch but I'll be around.Mitchel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share Posted November 18, 2013 It looks like you can see the Ison now with and without help:http://www.universetoday.com/106465/whoa-take-a-look-at-comet-ison-now/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mn90403 Posted November 19, 2013 Author Share Posted November 19, 2013 Saturday December 7th at 10 PM there will be a special on Ison on The Science Channel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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