(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for November 23-29, 2007

[Robert Lunsford]

As seen from the northern hemisphere, meteor rates continue to be strong in
November. While no major showers are active this month, the two Taurid
radiants plus the Leonids keep the skies active. The addition of strong
sporadic rates make November one of the better months to view meteor
activity from north of the equator. Skies are fairly quiet as seen from the
southern hemisphere this month. Activity from the three showers mentioned
above may be seen but the sporadic rates are much lower than those seen in
the northern hemisphere.

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Saturday November 24.
The moon will remain a major factor during this entire period obscuring all
but the brightest meteors. 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 two from the northern
hemisphere and one from south of the equator. For morning observers the
estimated total hourly rates should be near seven from the northern
hemisphere and four from 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 November 24/25. 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. Taking this advice 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.


Northern Taurid (NTA)  04:40 (070) +24
Northern Hemisphere - 2   Southern Hemisphere - 1

Southern Taurid (STA)  04:48 (072) +17
Northern Hemisphere - 1   Southern Hemisphere - <1

Lambda Orionids (LOR)  05:28 (082) +15
Northern Hemisphere - <1   Southern Hemisphere - <1

Alpha Monocerotids (AMO)  08:00 (120) 00
Northern Hemisphere - <1   Southern Hemisphere - <1

Leonids (LEO)  10:12 (156) +19
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#2007

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society