(meteorobs) Re: Geminids

Robert Lunsford lunro.imo.usa at cox.net
Wed Nov 24 18:05:28 EST 2004


Paulo,

Here is what the IMO has to say about the 2004 Geminids:

"One of the finest annual showers presently observable. This year, new Moon 
on December 12 gives perfect observing conditions across the expected 
maximum on December 13/14. The Geminid radiant culminates around 2h local 
time. Well north of the equator, the radiant rises around sunset, and is at 
a usable elevation from the local evening hours onwards. In the southern 
hemisphere, the radiant appears only around local midnight or so. Even here, 
this is a splendid shower of often bright, medium-speed meteors, a rewarding 
sight for all watchers. The peak has shown slight signs of variability in 
its maximum rates and peak timing in recent years, with the six most 
reliably observed maxima over the past 15 years having all occurred within 
2h 20m of the time above. The main predicted timing (Dec. 13, 22:20 UT) 
favours European and North African locations eastwards to central Russian 
and Chinese longitudes. An earlier or later timing would extend this 
best-visible zone some way eastwards or westwards respectively. Some 
mass-sorting within the stream means the fainter telescopic meteors should 
be most abundant almost 1° of solar longitude (about one day) ahead of the 
visual maximum, with telescopic results indicating these meteors radiate 
from an elongated region, perhaps with three sub-centers. Further results on 
this topic would be useful, but all methods can be employed to observe the 
shower."

Clear Skies!

Robert Lunsford


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paulo Heleno" <meteoro at sapo.pt>
To: <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 1:12 PM
Subject: (meteorobs) Geminids


> Hi all:
>
> Does someone know the predictions for the peak of this year Geminids? Moon 
> will favour observations, so we can expect some strikes in the sky
>
> Clear Skies
>
> Paulo Heleno
> Webmaster Astroescuta
> http://astroescuta.home.sapo.pt



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