(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for March 17-23, 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 last quarter phase on Wednesday March 22. 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 moonlight

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

See the list below for active radiants this week:

Eclipticid (ECL)    12:44 (191) -03   Class II
Hourly Rate = N. Hemisphere 2 - S. Hemisphere 2

Gamma Normids (GNO)   17:00 (255) -50   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