(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for May 29-June 4, 2010

[Robert Lunsford]

June is another slow month for meteor activity. There are no major showers active in June and only the Antihelion source can be 
counted on for continuous activity. Even the Antihelion is located so far south this time of year that rates rarely exceed two per 
hour as seen from the northern hemisphere. Sporadic rates reach their nadir in June as seen from the mid-northern hemisphere (45 N). 
Sporadic rates seen from the mid-southern hemisphere (45 S) continue to rise this month toward a maximum in July.

During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Friday June 4th. At this time the moon lies ninety degrees west of the 
the sun and rises near 0100 local daylight time (LDT). This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the evening hours and 
will remain in the sky the remainder of the night. Under such conditions meteor observing is difficult at best as the bright 
moonlight will obscure all but the brightest meteors. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is near two 
for northern observers and three for those viewing from south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates 
should be near four 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 during this period due to moonlight.

The radiant (the area of the sky where meteors appear to shoot from) positions and rates listed below are exact for Saturday 
night/Sunday morning May 29/30. 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.

Shower descriptions will be presented next week when the moonlight conditions have improved.

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) - 17:28 (262) -23   Velocity - 30km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 1 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#X2010

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society