(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for December 14-20, 2013

[Robert Lunsford]

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Tuesday December 17th. At this time the moon will lie opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long as seen from the northern hemisphere. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set shortly before dawn allowing a short window of opportunity to view meteor activity in dark skies. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 5 for observers located in the northern hemisphere and 3 for those viewing south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 25 for observers in the northern hemisphere and 10 for observers situated south of the equator. Rates are reduced during this period due to the intense moonlight. 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. Note that the hourly rates listed below are estimates as viewed from dark sky sites away from urban light sources. Observers viewing from urban areas will see less activity as only the brightest meteors will be visible from such locations.

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 December 14/15. 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 sources of meteoric activity are expected to be active this week. Details of each source will resume next week when the situation with moonlight improves. The table below presents a list of radiants that are expected to be active this week. Rates and positions are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning.
 
Anthelions (ANT) - 06:24 (096) +23  Velocity - 29km/sec. 
Northern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr 
 
Monocerotids (MON) - 06:56 (104) +07  Velocity - 41km/sec. 
Northern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr 
 
Geminids (GEM) - 07:36 (114) +32  Velocity - 35km/sec. 
Northern Hemisphere - 15 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 5 per hr 
 
Sigma Hydrids (HYD) - 08:44 (131) +01   Velocity - 62km/sec. 
Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr 
 
Dec. Leonis Minorids (DLM) - 10:28 (157) +33   Velocity - 64km/sec. 
Northern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr 
 
Dec.  Chi Virginids (XVI) - 12:44 (191) -09	Velocity - 70km/sec. 
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr 

Dec.  Sigma Virginids (DSV) - 13:28 (202) +06	Velocity - 69km/sec. 
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr 

Ursids (URS) - 13:40 (205) +76  Velocity -33km/sec. 
Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr 
 
Clear Skies! 
Robert Lunsford 	 
American Meteor Society