(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for April 11-17, 2009

[Robert Lunsford]

Meteor activity picks up a bit during April as two major showers are active
during the month. The first of these, the Lyrids, are active from the 16th
through the 27th, with a pronounced maximum on the 22nd and 23rd. The Eta
Aquariids start appearing near the 27th and reach maximum activity during
the first week in May. Sporadic rates are low but steady as seen from the
mid-northern hemisphere (45 N). Sporadic rates seen from the mid-southern
hemisphere (45 S) rise this month toward a maximum in July.

During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Friday April
17th. At this time the moon lies ninety degrees west of the sun and rises
near 0100 local daylight time (LDT) The moon remains above the horizon the
remainder of the night. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise
during the early evening hours, spoiling the view the remainder of the
night. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is
near two as seen from the northern hemisphere and three for those situated
south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates
should be near five for those located in the mid-northern hemisphere (45 N)
and seven for those viewing from the mid-southern hemisphere (45 S).
Locations between these two extremes would see activity between the listed
figures. 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. Meteor rates are
reduced this week due to the bright moonlight.

The radiant positions and rates listed below are exact for Saturday
night/Sunday morning April 11/12. 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. Viewing there 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) - 14:20 (215) -13   Velocity - 30km/sec.
Hourly Rates - 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#X2009

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society