(meteorobs) 2008 Quadrantids

[Bruce McCurdy]

   Ken wrote:

> Tom, Here's a guy ranting about Quadrant meteors. Did you know that the 
> meteors of a specific shower radiate from the constellation they are named 
> after??? That's the (apparent) spot where the earth encounters the dust 
> trail of the comet or asteroid that feeds the shower. When multiple 
> showers occur, the meteor's source can be distinguished by the radiant 
> orientation... k

    Ken, you no doubt accidentally forwarded Mark's "rant" back to the list. 
(I'd be more inclined to call it a "rave" myself. :) The Quadrantids are 
actually the exception to the naming rule, being named for the _obsolete_ 
constellation of Quadrans Muralis, with the radiant near the junction of 
Hercules, Boötes, and Draco, ~15:20 RA, +49 dec.

    In response to Mark's and Peter's appeal for observers, Alister and I 
will be out with bells on on the 4th if the weather is at all appropriate. 
We're a little west of the ideal longitude, but fortunately (from a "cold 
logic" point of view) we're far enough north that the radiant is comfortably 
circumpolar, and by the peak very close to local midnight will have achieved 
an altitude of 20-25 degrees.

    Bruce
    *****