(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for August 12-18, 2005

[Robert Lunsford]

The moon reaches its full phase on Friday August 19. This weekend and for
the remainder of this period, the moon will be present in the sky most of
the night, limiting the meteor activity to be seen. The sources of meteors
listed below are active during this period but will be difficult to observe.
If your sky is transparent and the limiting magnitude exceeds +5.0, then you
may be able to achieve some success at observing during this period. The
estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is near three
for those in the Northern Hemisphere and two for those located in the
Southern Hemisphere. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates
should be near eight for those located in the Northern Hemisphere and five
for those in the Southern Hemisphere. These rates assume that you are
watching from rural areas away from all sources of light pollution. The
actual rates will also depend on factors such as personal light and motion
perception, local weather conditions, alertness and experience in
watching meteor activity.  Rates are reduced this week due to intense
moonlight.

These are the showers active this week:

Kappa Cygnids (KCG)   19:04 (286) +59
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere 1 - S. Hemisphere >1

Northern Iota Aquarids (NIA)   21:48 (327) -06
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere >1 - S. Hemisphere >1

Anthelion    22:52 (343) -09
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere 1 - S. Hemisphere 1

Northern Delta Aquarids (NDA)   22:56 (344) -02
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere >1 - S. Hemisphere >1

Southern Delta Aquarids (SDA)   23:48 (357) -11
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere >1 - S. Hemisphere >1

Perseids (PER)   03:52 (058) +59
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere 1 - S. Hemisphere 0

The detailed descriptions of each shower will return next week when
moonlight becomes less of a factor.

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society