<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Visual meteor observations are a fun and interesting approach to astronomy and to scientific research in general. It can be used for laboratory or practical exercises in physics at high schools and universities. The students can personally collect and analyze the acquired data. The output consists of Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) values, spatial density and population index. In this paper, the so called counting method is described as it is the most suitable method for beginners. As a practical example, the ZHR curve of the Lyrid meteor shower was evaluated and the maximum and the duration of the shower were calculated.</p></abstract>

Visual meteor observations are a fun and interesting approach to astronomy and to scientific research in general. It can be used for laboratory or practical exercises in physics at high schools and universities. The students can personally collect and analyze the acquired data. The output consists of Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR) values, spatial density and population index. In this paper, the so called counting method is described as it is the most suitable method for beginners. As a practical example, the ZHR curve of the Lyrid meteor shower was evaluated and the maximum and the duration of the shower were calculated.

Visual Observations as Exercises in Physics

Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, Trenčín, Slovakia

Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia

Observatory and Planetarium in Hlohovec, Hlohovec, Slovakia

Faculty of Education, University of Prešov, Prešov, Slovakia

High School of Piarists, Trenčín, Slovakia

Acta Educationis Generalis

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Visual Observations as Exercises in Physics"}

Visual meteor observations are a fun and interesting approach to astronomy and to scientific research in general. It can be used for laboratory or practical...

Visual Observations as Exercises in Physics

Published Online: May 28, 2016

Page range: 78 - 89

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/atd-2016-0002

Keywords
meteors, practical exercises in physics, visual observations

© 2016 Jozef Drga et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Visual Observations as Exercises in Physics

Published Online: May 28, 2016

Page range: 78 - 89

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/atd-2016-0002

Keywordsmeteors, practical exercises in physics, visual observations

© 2016 Jozef Drga et al., published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
meteors, practical exercises in physics, visual observations