(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for September 4-10, 2010
Robert Lunsford
lunro.imo.usa at cox.net
Thu Sep 2 17:19:37 EDT 2010
September offers longer nights in the northern hemisphere that tend to be less hazy than those experienced in mid-summer. In the
sky, no major showers are visible from either hemisphere but the northern hemisphere enjoys the advantage of higher sporadic rates.
Most of the shower activity this month is produced from the Perseus-Aurigid complex active this time of year. These showers rarely
produce more than five meteors per hour but still manage to produce most of the shower activity seen this month. Unfortunately the
Perseus-Aurigid complex lies too low in the northern sky for southern hemisphere observers to view very well. Video studies have
shown that the Southern Taurids are visible as early as September 7th therefore after this date the Antihelion radiant will no
longer be listed until the Taurid showers end in December. The Antihelion meteors are still active but their radiant is superimposed
upon that of the more numerous Taurids, therefore it is impossible to properly separate these meteors. Observers in the southern
hemisphere suffer from some of their lowest rates of the year this month. The Southern Taurid radiant is not too badly placed so
observers south can expect to see a little of this activity this month.
During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Wednesday September 8th. At this time the moon will be located near the sun and
will not be visible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the early morning hours but will not interfere
with meteor observing as long as you keep it out of your field of view. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this
week is near four from the northern hemisphere and three for observers south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated
total hourly rates should be near eighteen 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.
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 September 4/5. 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 wide Antihelion (ANT) radiant is now centered at 23:40 (355) -01. This area of the sky lies in western Pisces, seven degrees
south of the fourth magnitude star Iota Piscium. This radiant is best placed near 0200 LDT when it lies on the meridian and is
located highest in the sky. Due to the large size of this radiant, any meteor radiating from eastern Aquarius, southern Pegasus,
western Pisces, or western Cetus could be a candidate for this shower. Rates at this time should be near three per hour no matter
your location. With an entry velocity of 30 km/sec., the average Antihelion meteor would be of medium-slow speed.
Studies of the IMO's vast video database by Sirko Molau and Juergen Rendtel has revealed a radiant active in Cassiopeia this time of
year. The September Iota Cassiopeiids (SIC) are active from September 4th through the 13th with maximum activity occurring on the
11th. The radiant position is currently located at 02:32 (038) +59. This position lies in eastern Cassiopeia, five degrees southeast
of the third magnitude star Segin (Epsilon Cassiopeiae). The radiant is best placed near 0500 LDT, when it lies highest above the
horizon. Rates throughout the activity period are expected to remain less than one per hour. With an entry velocity of 50 km/sec.,
most activity from this radiant would be swift. Due to the high northern declination (celestial latitude) meteors from this shower
are not well seen from the southern hemisphere.
The September Epsilon Perseids (SPE) are active from September 5th through the 13th with maximum activity occurring on the 9th. The
radiant position is currently located at 02:56 (044) +41. This position lies in southwestern Perseus, only two degrees west of the
famous eclipsing variable star known as Algol (Beta Persei). The radiant is also best placed near 0500 LDT, when it lies highest
above the horizon. Rates are currently less than one per hour but will increase to 1-3 per hour at maximum. This shower experienced
an outburst in 2008 with ZHR's near 25 for a short time. Many bright meteors were produced during this outburst with the brightest
estimated at magnitude -8. With an entry velocity of 66 km/sec., most activity from this radiant would be swift. This activity is
visible from the tropical regions of the southern hemisphere.
Many radiants in the region of Eridanus have been suspected this time of year. Recent studies of the IMO's vast video database by
Sirko Molau and Juergen Rendtel has verified a radiant active in Eridanus from September 3rd through the 24th with maximum activity
occurring on the 6th. The Nu Eridanid (NUE) radiant is currently located at 04:24 (066) -01. This position lies in a remote region
of northeastern Eridanus. The nearest bright star is Rigel (Beta Orionis), which lies twelve degrees to the southeast. The radiant
is best placed near 0500 LDT, when it lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. Rates may be close to two per hour this weekend
and early next week. With an entry velocity of 68 km/sec., most activity from this radiant would be swift. With the radiant lying
close to the celestial equator, these meteors are seen equally well from both hemispheres.
As seen from the mid-northern hemisphere (45N) one would expect to see approximately thirteen sporadic meteors per hour during the
last hour before dawn as seen from rural observing sites. Evening rates would be near three per hour. As seen from the mid-southern
hemisphere (45S), morning rates would be near six 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.
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) - 23:40 (355) -01 Velocity - 30km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 3 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - 3 per hr.
September Iota Cassiopeiids (SIC) - 02:32 (038) +59 Velocity - 50km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.
September Epsilon Perseids (SPE) - 02:56 (044) +41 Velocity - 66km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr. Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr
Nu Eridanids (NUE) - 04:24 (066) -01 Velocity - 68km/sec.
Northern Hemisphere - 2 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
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