(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for October 6-12, 2006

[Robert Lunsford]

Meteor rates continue to be strong as seen from the northern hemisphere. The
antihelion radiant has now merged with the two Taurid radiants producing
slow meteors during the late evening and early morning hours. Meteors from
the Orionid radiant are visible most of the month. Strong sporadic rates
continue during the morning hours as long as the moon is below the horizon.
>From the southern hemisphere, sporadic rates have reached their nadir and
begin a slow recovery the second half of the month. Meteors from the Taurid
and Orionid radiants also help to fill the southern skies with more activity
than has been seen since July. A new moon during the peak of the Orionid
shower is a plus for all and should help inflate meteor totals that have
suffered since the Perseid maximum back in August.

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Saturday October 7.
The sources of meteors listed below are active during this period but will
be difficult to observe this week. If your sky is transparent and the
limiting magnitude exceeds +5.0, then you may be able to achieve some
success. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is
near three for those in the Northern Hemisphere and one for those located in
the Southern Hemisphere. For morning observers the estimated total hourly
rates should be near twelve for those viewing in the Northern Hemisphere and
eight 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 descriptions of each active meteor shower will continue next week
when the moon becomes less of a nuisance to observers.

Giacobinids (GIA) 17:28 (262) +54
Northern Hemisphere - <1   Southern Hemisphere - 0

Northern Taurid (NTA) 01:52 (028) +14
Northern Hemisphere - 1   Southern Hemisphere - 1

Southern Taurid (STA)  02:00 (030) +08
Northern Hemisphere - 2   Southern Hemisphere - 2

Orionids (ORI) 05:44 (086) +14
Northern Hemisphere - 2   Southern Hemisphere - 2

Delta Aurigids (DAU) 06:00 (090) +49
Northern Hemisphere - 1   Southern Hemisphere - <1

*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