(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for September 28-October 4, 2007

[Robert Lunsford]

September offers longer nights and cooler temperatures in the northern
hemisphere. In the sky no major showers are visible from either hemisphere
but the northern hemisphere enjoys the advantage of higher sporadic rates.
The two recognized minor showers active in early September have high
northern declinations (celestial latitude) therefore are much better suited
to be viewed from locations north of the equator. Toward the end of the
month the antihelion radiant becomes entangled with the two Taurid radiants
and is impossible to separate. Therefore the antihelion radiant will be
excluded from the list until the end of the Taurid activity period late in
November. Observers in the southern hemisphere suffer from some of their
lowest rates of the year this month. The Taurid radiants are not too badly
placed so observers south of the equator can expect to see a little of this
activity toward the end of the month.

During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Wednesday
October 3. 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 three 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 September 29/30. 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) 01:28 (022) +12
Northern Hemisphere - 1   Southern Hemisphere - 1

Southern Taurid (STA)  01:40 (025) +07
Northern Hemisphere - 1   Southern Hemisphere - 1

Delta Aurigids (DAU)  05:08 (077) +42
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