(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for October 3-9, 2009

[Robert Lunsford]

Meteor activity in general increases in October when compared to September.
A major shower (the Orionids) is active most of the month along with several
minor showers. Both branches of the Taurids become more active as the month
progresses, providing slow, graceful meteors to the nighttime scene. The
Orionids are the big story of the month reaching maximum activity on the
22nd. This display can be seen equally well from both hemispheres which
definitely helps out observers located in the sporadic-poor southern
hemisphere this time of year.

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Sunday October 4th. At
this time the moon lies in the sky all night long and severely hampers
meteor observations. A small window of dark skies opens later in the week as
the waning gibbous moon rises later in the evening allowing a couple of
hours of dark sky between the end of evening twilight and moonrise. The
estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is near three
as seen from the northern hemisphere and two from the southern hemisphere.
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near seven
from the northern hemisphere and four 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. All rates are severely reduced by bright
moonlight.

The radiant positions and rates listed below are exact for Saturday
night/Sunday morning October 3/4. 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 list below presents a condensed version of the expected activity this
week. Rates and positions are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning or the
night of maximum activity for showers of short duration.

Draconids (GIA)  - 17:28 (262) +56   Velocity - 19km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.

October Epsilon Piscids (OPC)  - 00:05 (002) +14   Velocity - 19km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.

Southern Taurids (STA)  - 01:46 (026) +08   Velocity - 29km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.

Orionids (ORI) - 05:28 (082) +16   Velocity - 67km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.

October Camelopardalids (OCT)  - 11:13 (110) +79   Velocity - 45km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 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