(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for September 10-16, 2004

[Mikhail Maslov]

Hello, Robert.

Have you any information on the maximum time of Alpha Triangulids? If
not time, a day at least?

Best regards, Mikhail Maslov

RL> The Alpha Triangulids (ATR) may produce notable activity this year.
RL> According to comet and meteor researcher Gary W. Kronk, this shower seems to
RL> have a period of 5 or 6 years. The last period of good activity was recorded
RL> in 1998 and 1999. The other known years, when two or more experienced meteor
RL> observers saw good activity visually, were in 1934, 1940, 1951 and 1993. So,
RL> it is possible that enhanced activity might be seen this year. The radiant
RL> is currently located at  02:00 (030) +29, which places it in southern
RL> Triangulum, two degrees southeast of the third magnitude star Alpha
RL> Trianguli . The radiant is best placed near 0300 local daylight time, when
RL> it lies highest above the horizon. I would estimate the velocity near
RL> 45km/sec., which is slightly above average. There is also a possible
RL> sub-radiant located five degrees further south near the second magnitude
RL> star Hamal (Alpha Arietis). Your observations of this activity is very
RL> important, especially this year when the moon is also out of the way.