(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for January 22-28, 2011

[lunro.imo.usa at cox.net]

During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Wednesday January 26th. At that time the moon lies ninety degrees west of the sun and rises near midnight local standard time. Meteor observing can be undertaken at this time as long as the moon is not in your field of view. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the late evening hours and will remain in the sky the remainder of the night. It will be difficult to view under these circumstances unless you have extremely transparent skies. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is near three no matter your location. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near six no matter your location. 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 by moonlight during this period. 

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 January 22/23. 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. 

            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) - 08:32 (134) +16   Velocity 30km/sec
Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hour

December Leonis Minorids (DLM) 12:43 (191) +16   Velocity 64km/sec
Northern Hemisphere - 1 per hr Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hour

Gamma Ursa Minorids (GUM) 15:16 (229) +67   Velocity 42km/sec
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hour

*For a detailed explanation on the different classes of meteor showers and other
astronomical terms, please visit:
http://www.amsmeteors.org/2010/12/2011-meteor-shower-list/

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society