(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for May 4-10, 2007

[Robert Lunsford]

May provides the peak of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower. This is the
strongest shower visible from the southern hemisphere but unfortunately this
year glare from the waning gibbous moon will obscure all but the brightest
meteors. The much weaker Eta Lyrids peak on May 9 under slightly better
conditions. Sporadic rates seen in the northern hemisphere are nearing the
nadir of their activity curve. The lowest rates are observed in June. On a
positive note, rates seen from the southern hemisphere are increasing toward
a July maximum.

During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Thursday May
10. The waning gibbous moon will be a major factor in trying to observe this
week. The sources of meteors listed below are active during this period but
will be difficult to observe this week due to the lunar glare. 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 one 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 eight for those viewing in the
Northern Hemisphere and twelve 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 radiant positions listed below are exact for Saturday night/Sunday
morning May 5/6. These positions do not change greatly day to day so the
listed coordinates may be used during this entire period. Most star atlases
(available at science stores and planetariums) will provide maps with grid
lines of the celestial coordinates so that you may find out exactly where
these positions are located in the sky. A planisphere or computer
planetarium program is also useful in showing the sky at any time of night
on any date of the year. Activity from each radiant is best seen when it is
positioned highest in the sky, either due north or south along the meridian,
depending on your latitude. It must be remembered that meteor activity is
rarely seen at the radiant position. Rather they shoot outwards from the
radiant so it is best to center your field of view so that the radiant lies
at the edge and not the center. Doing this will allow you to easily trace
the path of each meteor back to the radiant (if it is a shower member) or in
another direction if it is a sporadic. Meteor activity is not seen from
radiants that are located below the horizon. The positions below are listed
in a west to east manner in order of right ascension (celestial longitude).
The positions listed first are located further west therefore are accessible
earlier in the night while those listed further down the list rise later in
the night.

The full descriptions of each active meteor shower will continue next week
when the moon becomes less of a nuisance to observers.

Antihelion (ANT) - 15:52 (238)-20
Northern Hemisphere - 1   Southern Hemisphere - 2

Eta Lyrids (ELY)  18:56 (284) +44
Northern Hemisphere - >1   Southern Hemisphere - >1

Eta Aquarids (ETA)  22:32 (338) -01
Northern Hemisphere - 5   Southern Hemisphere - 7

*For a detailed explanation on the different classes of meteor showers and
other astronomical terms, please visit:
http://www.amsmeteors.org/showers.html#X2007

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society