(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for November 20-26, 2010

lunro.imo.usa at cox.net lunro.imo.usa at cox.net
Thu Nov 18 17:43:42 EST 2010


As seen from the northern hemisphere, meteor rates continue to be strong in November. While no major activity is expected this month, the two Taurid radiants plus the Leonids keep the skies active. The addition of strong sporadic rates make November one of the better months to view meteor activity from north of the equator. Skies are fairly quiet as seen from the southern hemisphere this month. Activity from the three showers mentioned above may be seen from south of the equator, but the sporadic rates are much lower than those seen in the northern hemisphere. 

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Sunday November 21st. At this time the moon lies opposite the sun and is above the horizon all night long from most locations. This is the worst time to attempt to view meteor activity as the bright moonlight will obscure all but the brightest meteors. As the week progresses the moon will wane and rise later in the evening. Toward the end of this period there will be a small window of dark skies between the end of evening twilight and moonrise. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is near two from the northern hemisphere and one for observers south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near ten 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. 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 November 13/14. 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 following showers are expected to be active this week. The detailed discriptions will be continued next week when the moonlight is not as intense. 

Andromedids (AND) - 01:40 (025) +39  Velocity - 19km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr

Northern Taurids (NTA) - 04:22 (066) +24   Velocity - 29km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.

November Orionids (NOO) - 05:40 (085) +15   Velocity - 44km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr

Alpha Monocerotids (AMO) - 07:48 (117) +01   Velocity - 65km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr

Leonids (LEO) - 10:24 (156) +21 Velocity - 71km/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#X2010 

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford 
American Meteor Society



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