(meteorobs) FW: Re: Alpha Monocerotids (AMO)

[meteors at comcast.net]

-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: meteoreye at comcast.net
To: meteors at comcast.net
Subject: Re: Alpha Monocerotids (AMO)
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:14:33 +0000
> I'd like to reinforce part of that. As the IMO said “The brevity of all past 
> outbursts means breaks under clear skies should be kept to an absolute minimum 
> near the predicted peak.”
> Some of them have only lasted 5 minutes, so try and be sure you will be in 
> observing position for as long as you can centered on the possible outburst 
> time. It would be a bad time to have to take a break of even a few minutes.
> 
> Just for reference that 0925 UT is 4:25 AM EST, 3:25 AM CST, 2:25 AM MST, and 
> 1:25 AM PST.
> 
> Wayne
> -------------- Original message -------------- 
> From: meteors at comcast.net 
> 
> > This week there is an opportunity to observe a pretty interesting meteor 
> > shower known as the Alpha Monocerotids. Activity from this shower can be 
> > seen from around November 15 to 25 with the peak of activity expected to 
> > occur on November 21, 2008 at approximately 0925 hours UT (Source: IMO). 
> > Here are the particulars on this shower: 
> > 
> > Radiant at maximum = 118 +01; 07h 48m RA +01 DEC 
> > Velocity = 65 km/s 
> > ZHR = 5 
> > 
> > What makes this shower interesting is that it produces variable rates. 
> > The 5 listed above is what it normally produces, but it can go into 
> > overdrive and give observers a chance to see hundreds per hour as it did 
> > in 1995. That year the enhanced rates lasted less than an hour, so you 
> > have to be in the right spot at the right time. The IMO believes this 
> > year year the Americas are well-placed for any extra activity. But of 
> > course, you will have to deal with the moon, which rises around 1 am. I 
> > personally do not like to observe under moonlit conditions, but if you 
> > take a look at the recent observations we have received, you’ll find it 
> > is still possible. 
> > 
> > As always, please take the time to let me know how you do so I can 
> > update the archive and web pages. 
> > 
> > Good luck! 
> > 
> > -- 
> > Mark Davis, South Carolina, USA 
> > meteors at comcast.net 
> > namn at namnmeteors.org 
> > 
> > North American Meteor Network 
> > http://www.namnmeteors.org 
>