(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for November 18-24, 2005

[Robert Lunsford]

The moon reaches its last quarter phase on Wednesday November 23. This
weekend and for the remainder of this period, the waning gibbous 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 twelve for those located in the
Northern Hemisphere and ten 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:

Delta Eridanids (ERI)   04:08 (062) -01
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere <1 - S. Hemisphere <1

Anthelion    04:52 (073) +22
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere 3 - S. Hemisphere 2

Alpha Monocerotids (AMO)   07:44 (116) +01
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere 1 - S. Hemisphere 1

Zeta Puppids (ZPU)   08:08 (122) -43
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere <1 - S. Hemisphere 1

Leonids (LEO)     10:12 (153) +21
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere 3 - S. Hemisphere 3

Don't forget to view the possible Alpha Monocerotid outburst on
November 21. Details were posted in last week's outlook.

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society