(meteorobs) Meteor Activity from Comet ISON?

[Robert Lunsford]

There have been several articles published about the possibility of meteor activity from Comet C/2012 S1 ISON. During the inbound portion of the comet’s orbit, the comet passed approximately 2 million miles from the Earth’s orbit. The Earth arrives at this point on January 15, 2014. Normally, this distance is too great to produce meteor activity on Earth. Comet ISON was producing a large amount of dust prior to its disintegration. Some feel that despite the distance that some of this dust may still reach the Earth. Now whether it is in the form of meteors or noctilucent clouds is unknown. The individual dust particles are calculated to be only a few microns in size, too small to produce meteors bright enough to be visible to the naked eye. Yet meteor observers are encouraged to view any possible display of meteor activity despite the full moon. While the probability of meteor activity is remote, it is not 100% out of the question. The calculated radiant would lie just east of the 4th magnitude star known as Al Jabhah (Eta Leonis) in the constellation of Leo the lion. This region of the sky rises during the early evening hours and is best situated highest in the sky near 0200 local standard time. These meteors, if any, would strike the atmosphere at a speed of 51km/sec., which is a medium-fast meteor with an average duration of less than 1 second.

If you attempt any observations during the time, be certain to share your data (whether positive or negative) with us!

Robert Lunsford



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