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JORDAN - Scenic Places & Leonid Storm @ al- Azraq Desert Camp
ykchia Dec 21 1999 ( chiayk@singnet.com.sg)
Version 2.50  - feb29 2000
Part 3 of III - more sightseeing and afterthought
 
al-Azraq Desert Camp View
 Above : Listen to Meteor by "Forward Scattering Method " using FM radio.   Note Yagi Antenna on the left.  It  is tuned to FM station (200+ miles away) in Turkey. I remembered one long duration meteor 'reflection' resulting in a continuous playback of a song instead of the usual 'blips'.
 

We left the camp and headed back to our hotel in Amman. On the way we visited a nature reserve and two desert castles.
 
Tent visit
We were welcomed into a Bedouin  family.  Their tents were just outside  our camp.
 Dome of Qasr 'Amra - Lower Center is Sagittarius - Archer's  head turned towards the rear.
fresco on roof
Above Left : Frescos at Qasr 'Amra. ( UNESCO world heritage site)  Above Right : Attempting  to close the heavy Stone  Door at Qal'at al Azraq
The next day we visited the world lowest point on earth - the DEAD sea, my Casio triple sensor watch correctly detecting a MINUS 400 ( correction factor of 45)  meters below sea level.
 
dead sea shore
Above Left  : Another view of Dead Sea shore line Above Right :  Sun Set over Dead Sea - against the high mountain in Israel. 
mud bodies
DEAD SEA - MINUS 400 ( -45 calibration factor) meters below sea level according to my triple sensor watch. Temp is 31.6C Too much exposure to Leonid  Storm can be bad for the skin! [ mud from Dead Sea]
  Back in the Grand Palace hotel, some headed for the nearest Internet Cafe to find what others have seen and to upload results to IMO and others gathered newspapers and watched TV news of our 'Leonids Encounter ' in Al-Azreq desert camp. We were famous the world over! Sony camcorder owners gathered together and using my TRV99E as a master recorder we made copies of our tapes. (European models had their video in recording DISABLED!). Films were developed and the best include a 20 mm shots showing 70+ meteors. (The record still stay). We chat late into the night. Over the week end one by one leaves for home. I was one of the last and I left on Monday Nov 22 after spending an incredible 10 days in Jordan.

In summary I have exceeded all my personal objectives of this scientific conference / expedition - Witnessed the great Leonids Meteor storm, seen how radio meteors and intensifier imaging were conducted, met the scientists and researchers, experienced Jordan's fabulous rose stone Petra city, smoked ( just a few puff) of Arabic water pipe, visited the lowest spot on earth Dead Sea, recorded some meteors on both video/film. The most important is get to know others around the globe. Friendships were forged and I personally experienced the great hospitality shown by the host - JAS members from Jordan who ran 'an extra mile' to ensure we are comfortable and our needs attended to. The 1999 Jordanian Leonid Meteors Conference is a Complete SUCCESS!.
My boy's drawing of Jordan Flag and Greeting to all.

Recently ( Dec 14/15)99  as I was watching the Geminids low ZHR (due to LM 3.0 Sky) but impressive bright yellowish meteors in alone downstairs HDB poor sky,  I suddenly remembered our wonderful experience in Al-Azraq Camp sky. I am looking forwards to witness another Century  best Leonid STORM  2001 hopefully  with the same great teams.
 
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