(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for January 30-February 5, 2010

[Robert Lunsford]

February offers the meteor observer in the northern hemisphere a couple of weak showers plus falling sporadic rates. This may not 
seem too exiting but you never know when surprises are in store. An errant earthgrazer from the Centaurid complex may shoot 
northward. Better yet, a bright fireball may light up the sky. February is the start of the fireball season, when an abundance of 
fireballs seem to occur. This lasts well into April and seems to occur mostly during the early evening hours.

Observers in the southern hemisphere are treated to the Alpha Centaurid peak on the 8th plus the entire Centaurid complex of 
radiants is active all month long. Sporadic rates are slightly less than those seen in January, but still stronger than those 
witnessed north of the equator.

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Saturday January 30th. At this time the moon will be in the sky all night long 
making meteor observing difficult at best. As the week progresses the moon will rise later and later in the evening offering a few 
hours of dark sky between the end of evening twilight and moonrise. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week 
is near one for those in the northern hemisphere and two for those south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total 
hourly rates should be near eight from the northern hemisphere and ten 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. Meteor rates this week are reduced by strong moonlight.

The radiant positions and rates listed below are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning January 30/31. 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.

Antihelion (ANT)) - 09:36 (144) +13    Velocity - 30km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.

December Leonis Minorids (DLM) - 13:12 (198) +12   Velocity - 64km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.

Alpha Centaurids (ACE) - 13:20 (200) -57   Velocity - 56km/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