(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for March 26- April 1, 2011

[lunro.imo.usa at cox.net]

During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Saturday March 26. At this time the half illuminated moon will be in the sky from roughly 0100 LDT (local daylight time) through the remainder of the morning. As the week progresses, the waning crescent moon will become less of a problem with each passing night. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is near two as seen from the northern hemisphere and three as seen from the southern hemisphere. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near seven from the northern hemisphere and ten as seen from south of the equator. 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 for the morning hours 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 March 26/27. 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 13:16 (199) -08. This area of the sky lies in central Virgo, three degrees northwest of the first magnitude star Spica (Alpha Virginis). This radiant is best placed near 0200 local daylight saving time (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 southern Bootes, northern Centaurus, Corvus, or Virgo could be a candidate for this shower. Rates at this time should be near two per hour no matter your location. With an entry velocity of 30 km/sec., the average Antihelion meteor would be of medium-slow speed.

Activity from the Zeta Cygnids (ZCY) has just begun. This activity is visible from March 27 through April 13 with maximum occurring on April 6. The current radiant position lies at 19:40 (295) +37. This position lies in western Cygnus, lying directly between the third magnitude stars Delta Cygni and Albireo (Beta Cygni). The radiant is best placed during the last dark hour before dawn, when it lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. Due to the northern declination of the radiant, this activity is not well seen from the southern hemisphere. No matter your location, rates at this time are expected to be less than one per hour. At 44km/sec. the Zeta Cygnids would produce meteors of average velocity.

As seen from the mid-northern hemisphere (45N) one would expect to see approximately five sporadic meteors per hour during the last hour before dawn as seen from rural observing sites. Evening rates would be near one per hour. As seen from the mid-southern hemisphere (45S), morning rates would be near eight 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 list below presents a condensed version of the expected activity this week. Rates and positions are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning.

Antihelion (ANT) 13:16 (199) -08    Velocity - 30km/sec
Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hour   Southern Hemisphere - 2 per hour

Zeta Cygnids (ZCY) 19:40 (295) +37    Velocity - 44km/sec
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hour   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hour	
	
Clear Skies!

Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society