(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for March 10-16, 2006

[Robert Lunsford]

With the arrival of March, we reach the nadir of meteor activity for the
year. No matter your location, March has the lowest mean meteor rates of any
month of the year. The only reasonable activity is produced by the
Eclipticid radiant, now located in Virgo. Even this activity is only 2-3
shower members at best. At least this is one of the prime times for
fireballs. From February through April, fireballs are frequently reported
during the evening hours.

The moon reaches its full phase on Tuesday March 14. 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 two for
those in the Northern Hemisphere and three for those located in the Southern
Hemisphere. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be
near four for those located in the Northern Hemisphere and six 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.

The full listing will continue next week when the moon reaches its last
quarter phase and is not such a nuisance to observers.

See the list below for active radiants this week:

Eclipticid (ECL)    12:28 (187) -03   Class II
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere 2 - S. Hemisphere 2

Gamma Normids (GNO)   16:28 (247) -51   Class II
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere >1 - S. Hemisphere 2

For a detailed explanation on the different classes of meteor showers and
other astronomical terms, please visit:
http://www.amsmeteors.org/showers.html#X2006

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society