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(meteorobs) NAMN Campaign: 1998 Quadrantids
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NAMN Call for Observations: 1998 Quadrantids
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We open 1998 with a shower whose name originates from a constellation that
no longer exists --- Quadrans Muralis. The Quadrantid radiant today lies in
the constellation of Bootes, and conditions for the peak on January 3rd will
be good this year for Northern Hemisphere observers. The radiant doesn't
reach its highest point above the horizon until early in the morning, so the
crescent moon will have set when most observers are planning to observe.
Therefore, it will be best to observe after local midnight, so prepare in
advance for a change in your sleep patterns...
The maximum below was computed by the International Meteor Organization
(IMO) and favors sites from the extreme western areas such as Alaska and
Hawaii, over to the region of China and Japan. However, meteor showers can
provide surprises, so observers all over North America are needed. Also note
that the peak is short-lived, a matter of only a few hours, and can thus be
easily missed. For these reasons, all observers fortunate enough to have
clear skies are urged to participate in our watch.
Quadrantids (QUA):
Active: January 1 - 5
Maximum: January 3, 17h UT
ZHR = 120 (can vary around 60-200)
Radiant: 15h 20m (RA) +49 degrees (DEC)
Radius: 5 degrees
Velocity: 41 km/s
(NOTE: the above shower characteristics courtesy of IMO.)
For those needing report forms, instructions, or help making a first
observation, please feel free to contact me.
Clear skies!
Mark Davis, MeteorObs@charlestondot net
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, USA
Coordinator, North American Meteor Network
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NAMN home page:
http://medicine.wustldot edu/~kronkg/namn.html
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