(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for January 10-16, 2009

[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 full phase on Sunday January 11. At
this time the moon will rise near sundown and will remain in the sky all
night long. As the week progresses the moon will rise later in the evening
giving a growing window of darkness just after evening twilight. The more
active morning hours will still suffer from the intense moonlight. The
estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is near one no
matter your location. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates
should be near six for those located in the mid-northern hemisphere (45 N)
and four for those viewing from the mid-southern hemisphere (45 S). 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 and rates listed below are exact for Saturday
night/Sunday morning January 10/11. 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) - 08:12 (123) +19   Velocity - 30km/sec.
Hourly Rates: Northern Hemisphere - 2   Southern Hemisphere - 1

Coma Berenicids (COM)  12:08 (182) +22   Velocity - 64km/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