(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for December 16-22, 2005

[Robert Lunsford]

The moon reached its full phase on Wednesday December 15. 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 ten 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.

Anthelion     06:16 (101) +23
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere 3 - S. Hemisphere 2

Coma Berenicids (COM)  11:20 (275) +25
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere 1 - S. Hemisphere <1

Ursids (URS)  14:28 (217) +75
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere <1 - S. Hemisphere 0

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society