(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for October 23-29, 2010

[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 usually the big story of the month but this year the Orionid
peak coincides with the full moon, which will severely reduce the number of
meteors seen. Orionid activity can be seen before and after maximum when the
moon is not so troublesome. Unfortunately on these nights the Orionid rates
will be low, most likely less than five per hour.

During this period the moon is full on the 23rd and wanes toward last
quarter, which is reached on the 30th. The bright moon will make observing
meteors difficult as only the brightest ones can be seen in the lunar glare.
Those viewing under transparent skies will have better success as the
moonlight will be less scattered. The estimated total hourly rates for
evening observers this week is near four from the northern hemisphere and
two for observers south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated
total hourly rates should be near twelve from the northern hemisphere and
nine 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 this week due to lunar interference.

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
October 23/24. 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
descriptions will be continued next week when the moonlight is not as
intense.

October Ursa Minorids (OUI) - 18:12 (273) +74   Velocity - 28km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.

Northern Taurids (NTA) - 02:52 (043) +20   Velocity - 29km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.

Southern Taurids (STA) - 02:32 (044) +11   Velocity - 29km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.

Eta Taurids (ETT) - 04:00 (060) +24   Velocity - 47km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr

Orionids (ORI)  - 06:32 (098) +16   Velocity - 67km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 5 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - 5 per hr

Epsilon Geminids (EGE)  - 07:04 (106) +27   Velocity - 70km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr

Beta Cancrids (BCN)  - 07:12 (108) -03    Velocity - 65km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr

Leonis Minorids (LMI)  - 10:48 (162) +36   Velocity - 60km/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