(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for October 30-November 5, 2010

[Robert Lunsford]

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 wanes from its last quarter phase to nearly new at the end of the period. This weekend the half
illuminated last quarter moon will rise near 0100 LDT (Local Daylight Time) and will remain in the sky the remainder of the night.
While the moon at this phase is still bright, it is nowhere as bright as the full moon encountered the previous week. Successful
meteor observations can be undertaken by simply keeping the moon far from your field of view. The observing situation improves
further as the week progresses as the moon wanes and rises later and later during the morning hours. The estimated total hourly
rates for evening observers this week is near six from the northern hemisphere and three for observers south of the equator. For
morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near twenty from the northern hemisphere and twelve 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. Morning 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 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 following showers are expected to be active this week:

The center of the large Northern Taurid (NTA) radiant lies at 03:12 (048) +21. This area of the sky is located in eastern Aries, ten
degrees southwest of the famous naked eye open cluster known as the Pleiades. The radiant is best placed near 0200 local daylight
time (LDT), when it lies highest above the horizon. This shower peaks on November 13, so rates are slowly increasing. Current rates
would be near two per hour, no matter your location. Meteors from the Northern Taurids strike the atmosphere at 29km/sec., which
would produce meteors of slow velocity. This shower is also responsible for many of the fireball reports seen in November.

The center of the large Southern Taurid (STA) radiant lies at 03:16 (049) +12. This area of the sky is located in eastern Aries,
fifteen degrees southwest of the Pleiades. The radiant is also best placed near the meridian near 0200 LDT. We are now well past the
October 10 maximum for this shower but rates will still remain near two per hour, no matter your location. Striking the atmosphere
at 29 km/sec., the average Southern Taurid meteor travels slowly through the skies. This shower is also responsible for many of the
fireball reports seen in October.

Studies of the IMO video database by Sirko Molau and Juergen Rendtel has revealed a radiant located in Taurus this time of year. The
Eta Taurids (ETT) are active from October 25 through November 3, with maximum occurring on October 25th. The current radiant
position lies at 04:04 (061) +24, which lies in western Taurus, three degrees east of the Pleiades star cluster. The radiant is best
placed near 0300 LDT, when it lies highest above the horizon. Meteors from the Eta Taurids strike the atmosphere at 47km/sec., which
would produce meteors of average velocity. Expected rates would be less than one per hour, no matter your location.

The Orionids (ORI) reached maximum activity on October 22nd. Some activity may still be seen during the morning hours from a radiant
located at 06:48 (102) +16. This position lies in southwestern Gemini, close to the second magnitude star Alhena (Gamma Geminorum).
The radiant is best placed on the meridian near 0500 LDT. Current rates should be near three per hour no matter your location. At
67km/sec., the average Orionid is swift.

Another shower derived from the IMO video database is the Beta Cancrids (BCN). This shower is active from October 25-November 3 with
a peak on the 27th. This shower has been known from visual observations for some time. Video analysis have confirmed the activity
but from a slightly different portion of the sky. The radiant was suspected to be active from the Cancer/Gemini border when in fact
the position actually lies in the constellation of Monoceros, to the south. The radiant is located at 07:32 (113) -10, which is
fifteen degrees south of the brilliant zero magnitude star Procyon (Alpha Canis Minoris). The radiant is best placed during the last
dark hour before dawn when it lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. Rates should less than one per hour. With an entry
velocity of 65 km/sec., most activity from this radiant would be swift.

As seen from the mid-northern hemisphere (45N) one would expect to see approximately twelve sporadic meteors per hour during the
last hour before dawn as seen from rural observing sites. Evening rates would be near four per hour. As seen from the mid-southern
hemisphere (45S), morning rates would be near four per hour as seen from rural observing sites and two per hour during the evening
hours. Locations between these two extremes would see activity between the listed figures. Morning rates are reduced due to
moonlight.

The table below presents a condensed version of the expected activity this week. Rates and positions are exact for Saturday
night/Sunday morning.

Northern Taurids (NTA) - 02:28 (037) +18   Velocity - 29km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.

Southern Taurids (STA) - 01:20 (020) +06   Velocity - 29km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.

Eta Taurids (ETT) - 04:04 (061) +24   Velocity - 47km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.

Orionids (ORI) - 06:08 (092) +16   Velocity - 67km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 3 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 3 per hr.

Beta Cancrids (BCN) - 07:32 (113) -10   Velocity - 65km/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