(meteorobs) Geminids

Bruce McCurdy bmccurdy at shaw.ca
Sat Dec 13 13:31:58 EST 2014


Hoping for a Geminid session in central Alberta tonight. Forecast is for
clearing (for a change). I was clouded out of Orionids, Taurids, and Leonids
this year, so it will be a refreshing change. As of now, three of us
planning to head out in the later evening, hopefully get at least an hour
before moonrise & then another hour or two thereafter. 

Bruce
***** 

-----Original Message-----
From: meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org
[mailto:meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org] On Behalf Of jarnac
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2014 10:23 AM
To: meteorobs at meteorobs.org
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) GEminids

   Here in Arizona we alsochave rain today, but maybe tomorrow night the sky
will clear, or even tonioght.


And, best wishes top everyone on the list for a happy holiday and a 
happy and prosperous 2015.


David H. Levy
At 08:10 PM 12/12/2014, you wrote:
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>Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Fw: Embers from a Rock Comet: The 2014 Geminid Meteor     Shower
>       (Ed Majden)
>    2. Meteor Activity Outlook for December 13-19, 2014 (Robert Lunsford)
>    3. Re: Meteor Activity Outlook for December 13-19, 2014
>       (skywayinc at aol.com)
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Message: 1
>Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 14:53:31 -0800
>From: "Ed Majden" <epmajden at shaw.ca>
>Subject: (meteorobs) Fw: Embers from a Rock Comet: The 2014 Geminid
>         Meteor  Shower
>To: "Meteor science and meteor observing" <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
>Message-ID: <871E1C8AF6FF4343964EEE988A8C3B6D at adminrzh85okq1>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>Subject: Fw: Embers from a Rock Comet: The 2014 Geminid Meteor Shower
>
>
>My all-sky camera is too busy recording rain drops and not meteors! :-(
>Much of this area near our rivers is flooded.  We also have a boil 
>water advisory.  Merry Christmas to All, and Happy Holidays to the 
>ones that don't celibrate this Christian Holiday.  Each to his own, 
>as others should not be left out.
>Ed
>Courtenay B.C.
>Canada
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: NASA Science News
>To: NASA Science News
>Sent: Friday, December 12, 2014 1:48 PM
>Subject: Embers from a Rock Comet: The 2014 Geminid Meteor Shower
>
>
>NASA Science News for Dec. 12, 2014
>Earth is passing through a stream of debris from "rock comet" 3200 
>Phaethon, source of the annual Geminid meteor shower. Forecasters 
>expect as many as 120 meteors per hour when the shower peaks on Dec. 13-14.
>
>FULL STORY: 
>http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/12dec_embers/
>
>SCIENCECAST VIDEO: 
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT3D6t8VT-k&feature=youtu.be
>
>You are currently subscribed to snglist as: epmajden at shaw.ca
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>------------------------------
>
>Message: 2
>Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 15:17:40 -0800
>From: Robert Lunsford <lunro.imo.usa at cox.net>
>Subject: (meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for December 13-19, 2014
>To: Meteor science and meteor observing <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
>Message-ID: <20141212181740.ZEI7C.339860.imail at fed1rmwml208>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
>During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Sunday 
>December 14th. At this time the moon rises near midnight local 
>standard time (LST) and will remain in the sky the remainder of the 
>night. Viewing conditions improve with each passing night as the 
>moon wanes and rises later each morning. The estimated total hourly 
>meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 4 as seen from 
>the northern hemisphere (45N) and 3 as seen from southern tropical 
>latitudes (25S). For morning observers the estimated total hourly 
>rates should be near 65 as seen from the northern hemisphere and 30 
>as seen from below 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. 
>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 brightes
>  t meteors will be visible from such locations. Morning rates are 
> reduced during this period due to the bright moon.
>
>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 13/14. 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.
>
>These sources of meteoric activity are expected to be active this week.
>
>Now that the activity from particles produced by comet 2P/Encke has 
>ceased encountering the Earth, the Taurid showers for 2014 are over 
>and we resume reporting activity from the Anthelion (ANT) radiant. 
>This is not a true radiant but rather activity caused by the Earth's 
>motion through space. As the Earth revolves around the sun it 
>encounters particles orbiting in a prograde motion that are 
>approaching their perihelion point. They all appear to be radiating 
>from an area near the opposition point of the sun, hence the name 
>Anti-helion. These were once recorded as separate showers throughout 
>the year but it is now suggested to bin them into their category 
>separate from true showers and sporadics. This radiant is a very 
>large oval some thirty degrees wide by fifteen degrees high. 
>Activity from this radiant can appear from more than one 
>constellation. The position listed here is for the center of the 
>radiant which is currently located at 06:20 (095) +23. This position 
>lies in wes
>  tern Gemini, 5 degrees west of the third magnitude star known as 
> Mebsuta (Epsilon Geminorum). Anthelion activity may also appear 
> from eastern Taurus, northeastern Orion, or southern Auriga. This 
> radiant is best placed near midnight LST when it lies on the 
> meridian and is highest in the sky. Rates at this time should be 
> near 2 per hour as seen from the northern hemisphere and 1 per hour 
> from south of the equator. With an entry velocity of 30 km/sec., 
> the average Anthelion meteor would be of slow velocity.
>
>The Monocerotids (MON) are active from November 27th through 
>December 17th. Peak activity occurred on December 9th so current 
>rates should be near 1 per hour no matter your location. The radiant 
>is located at 07:00 (105) +07. This position lies in eastern 
>Monoceros, 10 degrees west of the zero magnitude star Procyon (Alpha 
>Canis Minoris).  The Monocerotids are best seen near 0100 LST when 
>the radiant lies highest above the horizon. At 41 km/sec. the 
>Monocerotids produce mostly meteors of medium velocity.
>
>The Geminids (GEM) will peak on Saturday evening/Sunday morning 
>December 13/14 from a radiant located at 07:37 (113.3) +32. This 
>position is located very close to the bright 2nd magnitude star 
>known as Castor (Alpha Geminorum). Expected maximum rates depend on 
>your location and sky transparency. The half-illuminated moon will 
>also compromise rates seen after midnight. Midnight rates should be 
>near 20 per hour for urban observers. Those viewing from suburbs 
>should see 30 Geminids per hour near midnight. Rural observers 
>should be treated to at least 50 Geminids per hour. These rates 
>should hold from midnight through 2am before falling as the radiant 
>sets and the moonlight intensifies.    Geminid activity can be seen 
>from the southern hemisphere but at much reduced rate. As seen from 
>south of the equator, Geminid activity could only be seen for a few 
>hours before and after 0200 LST. Rates will fall drastically with 
>each passing night no more will be seen after the 17th. At 34 km
>  /sec. the Geminids produce mostly meteors of medium velocity.
>
>The Sigma Hydrids (HYD) are active from November 24 through December 
>21, with maximum activity occurring on December 6. The radiant is 
>currently located at 08:40 (130) +01 , which places it in western 
>Hydra, 2 degrees south of the 4th magnitude star known as Sigma 
>Hydrae. These meteors are best seen near 0400 LST when the radiant 
>lies highest above the horizon. Current rates should be near 2 per 
>hour no matter your location. With an entry velocity of 61 km/sec., 
>most activity from this radiant would be of swift speed.
>
>The Eta Hydrids (EHY) were recently discovered by members of of the 
>Croatian Meteor Network. This radiant is active from December 10-18 
>with maximum activity occurring on December 12. The radiant is 
>currently located at 09:00 (135) +02 , which places it in western 
>Hydra, 2 degrees west of the 4th magnitude star known as Theta 
>Hydrae. This position is close to the Sigma Hydrids so care must be 
>taken to separate the two sources. These meteors are best seen near 
>0400 LST when the radiant lies highest above the horizon. Current 
>rates should be less than 1 per hour no matter your location. With 
>an entry velocity of 63 km/sec., most activity from this radiant 
>would be of swift speed.
>
>The December Leonis Minorids (DLM) are active from December 6th 
>through January 18th. The radiant is currently located at 10:25 
>(156) +33. This position lies in central Leo Minor, approximately 10 
>degrees northeast of the third magnitude star Zeta Leonis. These 
>meteors are best seen near 0500 LST when the radiant lies highest 
>above the horizon. This shower peaks on December 21st so current 
>rates would be near 2 per hour as seen from the northern hemisphere 
>and 1 per hour as seen from south of the equator. At 63 km/sec. the 
>December Leonis Minorids produce mostly swift meteors.
>
>The last of the Psi Ursa Majorids (PSU) will be seen this week from 
>a radiant located at 12:00 (180) +39. This position lies in a remote 
>area of southeastern Ursa Major, 15 degrees south of the 2nd 
>magnitude star known as Phecda (Gamma Ursae Majoris). This area of 
>the sky is best placed during the last hour before dawn, when it 
>lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. Current rates would 
>most likely be less than one per hour no matter your location. At 
>61km/sec., the average Psi Ursa Majorid meteor would be swift.
>
>The December Chi Virginids (XVI) were discovered by members of 
>SonotaCo based on video observations obtained in 2007 and 2008. This 
>radiant is active from December 8-24 with maximum activity occurring 
>on the 17th. The radiant is currently located at 12:43 (191) -10. 
>This area of the sky is located in southern Virgo, 10 degrees west 
>of the bright, 1st magnitude star known as Spica (Alpha Virginis). 
>Rates would most likely be less than 1 per hour no matter your 
>location. At 69km/sec., the average December Chi Virginid meteor 
>would be swift.
>
>The December Sigma Virginids (DSV) were discovered by John Greaves 
>using data from SonotoCo.  This radiant is active from December 6-31 
>with maximum occurring on the 24th. The current radiant location is 
>13:04 (196) +06, which places it in central Virgo, 5 degrees south 
>of the third magnitude star Vindemiatrix (Epsilon Virginis). These 
>meteors are best seen during the last dark hour before dawn, when 
>the radiant lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. At 68 
>km/sec. the December Sigma Virginids would produce mostly swift meteors.
>
>Activity from the Ursids (URS) should begin to appear during the 
>late-week period from a radiant located at 13:58 (210) +76. This 
>position lies in eastern Ursa Minor, fifteen degrees east of the 
>second magnitude star Kochab (Beta Ursa Minoris). It must be 
>remembered that the length of degrees are smaller in high 
>declinations so the radiant is actually closer to this star than 
>these figures imply. These meteors are best seen during the last 
>dark hour before dawn, when the radiant lies highest above the 
>horizon in a dark sky. This shower is not well seen from the 
>southern hemisphere. Maximum activity is not expected until Monday 
>December 22th, so current hourly rates this week would probably be 
>less than one. On the morning of maximum, hourly rates of between 
>5-10 Ursids may be seen. At 30 km/sec. the Ursids produce mostly 
>medium-slow meteors.
>
>As seen from the mid-northern hemisphere (45N) one would expect to 
>see approximately 8 sporadic meteors per hour during the last hour 
>before dawn as seen from rural observing sites. Evening rates would 
>be near 3 per hour. As seen from the tropical southern latitudes 
>(25S), morning rates would be near 5 per hour as seen from rural 
>observing sites and 2 per hour during the evening hours. Locations 
>between these two extremes would see activity between the listed 
>figures. Morning rates are reduced during this period due to moonlight.
>
>Anthelion (ANT) - 06:20 (095) +23  Velocity - 30km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.
>
>Monocerotids (MON) - 07:00 (105) +07  Velocity - 41km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.
>
>Geminids (GEM) - 07:37 (113) +32  Velocity - 34km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - 50 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 20 per hr.
>
>Sigma Hydrids (HYD) -08:40 (130) +01      Velocity - 61km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.
>
>Eta Hydrids (EHY) - 09:00 (135) +02  Velocity - 63km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr
>
>Dec. Leonis Minorids (DLM) - 10:25 (156) +33  Velocity - 63km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.
>
>Psi Ursa Majorids (PSU) - 12:00 (180) +39  Velocity - 61km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.
>
>Dec. Chi Virginids (XVI) - 12:43 (191) -10  Velocity - 69km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr
>
>Dec. Sigma Virginids (DSV) - 13:04 (196) +06 Velocity - 68km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr
>
>Ursids (URS) - 13:58 (210) +76  Velocity - 30km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr
>
>Clear Skies!
>Robert Lunsford
>American Meteor Society
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 3
>Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 22:10:17 -0500
>From: skywayinc at aol.com
>Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for December 13-19,
>         2014
>To: meteorobs at meteorobs.org
>Message-ID: <8D1E49974705FEF-2BC4-475BE at webmail-va101.sysops.aol.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>
>
>
>During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Sunday December 14th.
>Hmmmm . . . methinks you're about 90-degrees off on the moon's phase, Bob.
>
>-- joe rao
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Robert Lunsford <lunro.imo.usa at cox.net>
>To: Meteor science and meteor observing <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
>Sent: Fri, Dec 12, 2014 6:17 pm
>Subject: (meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for December 13-19, 2014
>
>
>During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Sunday 
>December 14th. At
>this time the moon rises near midnight local standard time (LST) and 
>will remain
>in the sky the remainder of the night. Viewing conditions improve with each
>passing night as the moon wanes and rises later each morning. The estimated
>total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 4 
>as seen from
>the northern hemisphere (45N) and 3 as seen from southern tropical
latitudes
>(25S). For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should 
>be near 65
>as seen from the northern hemisphere and 30 as seen from below 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. 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 brightes
>  t meteors will be visible from such locations. Morning rates are 
> reduced during
>this period due to the bright moon.
>
>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
>13/14. 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.
>
>These sources of meteoric activity are expected to be active this week.
>
>Now that the activity from particles produced by comet 2P/Encke has ceased
>encountering the Earth, the Taurid showers for 2014 are over and we resume
>reporting activity from the Anthelion (ANT) radiant. This is not a 
>true radiant
>but rather activity caused by the Earth's motion through space. As the
Earth
>revolves around the sun it encounters particles orbiting in a prograde
motion
>that are approaching their perihelion point. They all appear to be
radiating
>from an area near the opposition point of the sun, hence the name 
>Anti-helion.
>These were once recorded as separate showers throughout the year but 
>it is now
>suggested to bin them into their category separate from true showers and
>sporadics. This radiant is a very large oval some thirty degrees 
>wide by fifteen
>degrees high. Activity from this radiant can appear from more than one
>constellation. The position listed here is for the center of the 
>radiant which
>is currently located at 06:20 (095) +23. This position lies in wes
>  tern Gemini, 5 degrees west of the third magnitude star known as Mebsuta
>(Epsilon Geminorum). Anthelion activity may also appear from eastern
Taurus,
>northeastern Orion, or southern Auriga. This radiant is best placed near
>midnight LST when it lies on the meridian and is highest in the sky. Rates
at
>this time should be near 2 per hour as seen from the northern 
>hemisphere and 1
>per hour from south of the equator. With an entry velocity of 30 km/sec.,
the
>average Anthelion meteor would be of slow velocity.
>
>The Monocerotids (MON) are active from November 27th through 
>December 17th. Peak
>activity occurred on December 9th so current rates should be near 1 
>per hour no
>matter your location. The radiant is located at 07:00 (105) +07. 
>This position
>lies in eastern Monoceros, 10 degrees west of the zero magnitude star
Procyon
>(Alpha Canis Minoris).  The Monocerotids are best seen near 0100 LST when
the
>radiant lies highest above the horizon. At 41 km/sec. the 
>Monocerotids produce
>mostly meteors of medium velocity.
>
>The Geminids (GEM) will peak on Saturday evening/Sunday morning 
>December 13/14
>from a radiant located at 07:37 (113.3) +32. This position is 
>located very close
>to the bright 2nd magnitude star known as Castor (Alpha Geminorum).
Expected
>maximum rates depend on your location and sky transparency. The 
>half-illuminated
>moon will also compromise rates seen after midnight. Midnight rates should
be
>near 20 per hour for urban observers. Those viewing from suburbs 
>should see 30
>Geminids per hour near midnight. Rural observers should be treated 
>to at least
>50 Geminids per hour. These rates should hold from midnight through 
>2am before
>falling as the radiant sets and the moonlight 
>intensifies.    Geminid activity
>can be seen from the southern hemisphere but at much reduced rate. 
>As seen from
>south of the equator, Geminid activity could only be seen for a few 
>hours before
>and after 0200 LST. Rates will fall drastically with each passing 
>night no more
>will be seen after the 17th. At 34 km
>  /sec. the Geminids produce mostly meteors of medium velocity.
>
>The Sigma Hydrids (HYD) are active from November 24 through December 21,
with
>maximum activity occurring on December 6. The radiant is currently located
at
>08:40 (130) +01 , which places it in western Hydra, 2 degrees south 
>of the 4th
>magnitude star known as Sigma Hydrae. These meteors are best seen 
>near 0400 LST
>when the radiant lies highest above the horizon. Current rates 
>should be near 2
>per hour no matter your location. With an entry velocity of 61 km/sec.,
most
>activity from this radiant would be of swift speed.
>
>The Eta Hydrids (EHY) were recently discovered by members of of the
Croatian
>Meteor Network. This radiant is active from December 10-18 with 
>maximum activity
>occurring on December 12. The radiant is currently located at 09:00 
>(135) +02 ,
>which places it in western Hydra, 2 degrees west of the 4th 
>magnitude star known
>as Theta Hydrae. This position is close to the Sigma Hydrids so care must
be
>taken to separate the two sources. These meteors are best seen near 0400
LST
>when the radiant lies highest above the horizon. Current rates should be
less
>than 1 per hour no matter your location. With an entry velocity of 
>63 km/sec.,
>most activity from this radiant would be of swift speed.
>
>The December Leonis Minorids (DLM) are active from December 6th 
>through January
>18th. The radiant is currently located at 10:25 (156) +33. This 
>position lies in
>central Leo Minor, approximately 10 degrees northeast of the third
magnitude
>star Zeta Leonis. These meteors are best seen near 0500 LST when the
radiant
>lies highest above the horizon. This shower peaks on December 21st so
current
>rates would be near 2 per hour as seen from the northern hemisphere and 1
per
>hour as seen from south of the equator. At 63 km/sec. the December Leonis
>Minorids produce mostly swift meteors.
>
>The last of the Psi Ursa Majorids (PSU) will be seen this week from a
radiant
>located at 12:00 (180) +39. This position lies in a remote area of 
>southeastern
>Ursa Major, 15 degrees south of the 2nd magnitude star known as Phecda
(Gamma
>Ursae Majoris). This area of the sky is best placed during the last 
>hour before
>dawn, when it lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. Current 
>rates would
>most likely be less than one per hour no matter your location. At 
>61km/sec., the
>average Psi Ursa Majorid meteor would be swift.
>
>The December Chi Virginids (XVI) were discovered by members of 
>SonotaCo based on
>video observations obtained in 2007 and 2008. This radiant is active from
>December 8-24 with maximum activity occurring on the 17th. The radiant is
>currently located at 12:43 (191) -10. This area of the sky is located in
>southern Virgo, 10 degrees west of the bright, 1st magnitude star 
>known as Spica
>(Alpha Virginis). Rates would most likely be less than 1 per hour no 
>matter your
>location. At 69km/sec., the average December Chi Virginid meteor 
>would be swift.
>
>The December Sigma Virginids (DSV) were discovered by John Greaves using
data
>from SonotoCo.  This radiant is active from December 6-31 with 
>maximum occurring
>on the 24th. The current radiant location is 13:04 (196) +06, which 
>places it in
>central Virgo, 5 degrees south of the third magnitude star 
>Vindemiatrix (Epsilon
>Virginis). These meteors are best seen during the last dark hour before
dawn,
>when the radiant lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. At 68 
>km/sec. the
>December Sigma Virginids would produce mostly swift meteors.
>
>Activity from the Ursids (URS) should begin to appear during the late-week
>period from a radiant located at 13:58 (210) +76. This position lies 
>in eastern
>Ursa Minor, fifteen degrees east of the second magnitude star Kochab 
>(Beta Ursa
>Minoris). It must be remembered that the length of degrees are 
>smaller in high
>declinations so the radiant is actually closer to this star than 
>these figures
>imply. These meteors are best seen during the last dark hour before 
>dawn, when
>the radiant lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. This shower is
not
>well seen from the southern hemisphere. Maximum activity is not 
>expected until
>Monday December 22th, so current hourly rates this week would 
>probably be less
>than one. On the morning of maximum, hourly rates of between 5-10 
>Ursids may be
>seen. At 30 km/sec. the Ursids produce mostly medium-slow meteors.
>
>As seen from the mid-northern hemisphere (45N) one would expect to see
>approximately 8 sporadic meteors per hour during the last hour before dawn
as
>seen from rural observing sites. Evening rates would be near 3 per 
>hour. As seen
>from the tropical southern latitudes (25S), morning rates would be near 5
per
>hour as seen from rural observing sites and 2 per hour during the 
>evening hours.
>Locations between these two extremes would see activity between the listed
>figures. Morning rates are reduced during this period due to moonlight.
>
>Anthelion (ANT) - 06:20 (095) +23  Velocity - 30km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.
>
>Monocerotids (MON) - 07:00 (105) +07  Velocity - 41km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.
>
>Geminids (GEM) - 07:37 (113) +32  Velocity - 34km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - 50 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 20 per hr.
>
>Sigma Hydrids (HYD) -08:40 (130) +01      Velocity - 61km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.
>
>Eta Hydrids (EHY) - 09:00 (135) +02  Velocity - 63km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr
>
>Dec. Leonis Minorids (DLM) - 10:25 (156) +33  Velocity - 63km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - 2 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - 1 per hr.
>
>Psi Ursa Majorids (PSU) - 12:00 (180) +39  Velocity - 61km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.
>
>Dec. Chi Virginids (XVI) - 12:43 (191) -10  Velocity - 69km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr
>
>Dec. Sigma Virginids (DSV) - 13:04 (196) +06 Velocity - 68km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr
>
>Ursids (URS) - 13:58 (210) +76  Velocity - 30km/sec.
>Northern Hemisphere - <1 per hr.   Southern Hemisphere - <1 per hr
>
>Clear Skies!
>Robert Lunsford
>American Meteor Society
>
>
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>End of meteorobs Digest, Vol 43, Issue 12
>*****************************************


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