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Re: (meteorobs) Don't forget the Ursids!!
The Ursids are definitely in need of some serious studying. Although one
astronomer predicted an outburst was likely last year (which failed to
appear), the truth is that the three most significant outbursts have
occurred six years after the parent comet Tuttle passed perihelion. The
comet's last perihelion passage was in 1994, so we might have to wait until
2000 before we get a major outburst again. Nevertheless, the Ursids seem to
show some variability and a study of the activity levels during the next
few years might help shed some light on the probable "cloud" of material
orbiting six years behind Tuttle!
Gary W. Kronk