(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for January 2-8, 2010

[Robert Lunsford]

January sees a peak of sporadic activity for the southern hemisphere while rates seen north of the equator begin a steady downward
turn that continues throughout the first half of the year. The sporadic activity is good for both hemispheres, but not as good as it
was for northern observers in December. Once the Quadrantids have passed the shower activity for January is very quiet.

During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Thursday January 7th. On that date the moon lies ninety degrees west
of the sun and rises near midnight local standard time (LST). This weekend the waning gibbous moon is in the sky most of the night
making meteor observations difficult at best. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is near two no matter
your location. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near ten from the northern hemisphere and eight as
seen from the southern hemisphere. 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 the bright moonlight.

The radiant positions and rates listed below are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning January 2/3. 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.

The table below presents a condensed version of the expected activity this week. Rates and positions are exact for Saturday
night/Sunday morning.

Antihelion (ANT)) - 07:40 (115) +20   Velocity - 30km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.

Alpha Hydrids (AHY) - 08:31 (128) -08    Velocity - 45km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.

January Leonids (JLE) - 09:50 (148) +24     Velocity - 54km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.

December Leonis Minorids (DLM) - 11:34 (174) +24   Velocity - 64km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.

Quadrantids (QUA) - 15:18 (230) +50   Velocity - 42km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 10 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.

*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