American Meteor Society

Lore & Background

The society was founded in 1911 by Charles P. Olivier of the Leander McCormick Observatory, with an initial enrollment of fifteen members recruited by Olivier by letter. The first paper based on member observations appeared in the Astronomical Journal in 1912, describing the η Aquarid meteor shower. In 1926, Olivier began publishing meteor notes from the society on a nearly monthly basis in Popular Astronomy magazine under the title 'Monthly Notes', which continued until his editor, Curvin H. Gingrich, died.

Some time before 1932, Olivier appointed regional directors to facilitate data collection. A director was appointed to the Pacific Northwest region in 1932, initially covering Washington state and Oregon, later including western Canadian provinces plus Idaho and Montana. In 1938, the Canadian provinces were withdrawn from the society, while California was added; this western division was headquartered at the University of Oregon in Eugene.

In 1960, Olivier published the first catalogue of hourly meteor rates based on data collected by society members from 1901 to 1958, with a second catalogue published in 1965 including data up to 1963. During the late 1970s, David Meisel became Executive Director, and the headquarters were relocated to Geneseo, New York. Society research expanded to include radio meteor studies, then spectroscopy of meteors.

Reader's Guide

The American Meteor Society's significance lies in its long-standing role as a central organization for coordinating meteor observations by both amateur and professional astronomers. Founded in 1911, it has maintained a continuous record of meteor data, as evidenced by the publication of hourly meteor rate catalogues covering data from 1901 to 1963. The society's structure of regional directors, established before 1932, allowed systematic data collection across North America, with the Pacific Northwest region expanding and contracting over time. Its relocation to Geneseo, New York, in the late 1970s under Executive Director David Meisel marked a period of research expansion into radio meteor studies and spectroscopy. The society publishes quarterly observations and interpretations in Meteor Trails, awards an annual research prize, and provides a grant to a SUNY-Geneseo student, reflecting its commitment to fostering meteor research. Its legacy includes a century of organized data collection and the promotion of meteor astronomy among amateurs and professionals alike.

Did You Know?

• The first paper based on member observations described the η Aquarid meteor shower in 1912.
• Olivier published monthly meteor notes in Popular Astronomy magazine from 1926 until his editor died.
• The society's research expanded to include radio meteor studies and spectroscopy during the late 1970s.