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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity for Dec. 5-10
At the present time the Chi Orionids are the most active shower. The
radiant for the Chi Orionids currently lies just north of Zeta Tauri
near the Taurus-Orion-Gemini border. This is also close to M1 or the
Crab Nebula. This shower is well placed for evening observers as it lies
opposite the sun. It rises near sunset and is in the sky all night. It
is best placed near the meridian high in the south at midnight. Hourly
rates can vary from 0 to 5 with the meteors being a bit on the slow
side, especially compared to last months Leonids.
Also active this week for southern observers are the Puppid-Velids. This
shower reaches a broad maximum centered on December 7. The radiant is
located in Puppis and lies east of the bright star Canopus. The "False
Cross also lies in this vicinity just south of the radiant.
Realistically, sites north of 40 degrees north latitude have little
chance of seeing any activity. Meteors from this shower are of medium
speed and the radiant reaches maximum altitude near 0300 local time.
Perhaps our more southerly observers may have a chance to see an
occasional PPV shoot up from the southern horizon!
The Monocerotids are also active heading for maximum on December 9. The
radiant for this shower is located 10 degrees east of the bright star
Betelgeuse in Orion. On occasion 3-5 medium speed meteors per hour can
be seen coming from this area. They are faster than the nearby Chi
Orionids and should be easily distinguishable from the XOR's by their
speed. This shower is best placed for watching in the southern sky at
0100 local time. Note that this shower is different than the Alpha
Monocerotids of November in the fact that they are slower and the
radiant is further to the west toward Orion.
The Sigma Hydrids are weakly active with a radiant lying between the
bright star Procyon and the "head" of Hydra. These meteors are swift and
should be easily distinguishable from the previously mentioned showers.
They are best seen a bit later in the morning as the radiant reaches the
meridian near 0300 local time.
Finally the Geminids will soon become active. Rates should currently be
at near 1 per hour but this will improve dramatically as the week
progresses. Currently the Geminid radiant is located 10 degrees west of
the bright star Castor. The radiant approaches this star at a rate of
one degree per day. The radiant lies nearly overhead near 0200 local
time. The Geminid meteors are of medium speed just a bit slower than the
Monocerotids.
Overall the best rates will occur between 0200 and 0400 when the
radiants mentioned are located highest in the sky. One should be able to
see at least 10 shower meteors and 10 sporadic meteor per hour this time
of night from dark sky sites. Urban skies with light pollution will
produce less than half these rates.
Hopefully your skies will be clear allowing you some viewing of the pre
Geminid activity. The moon is new on the 7th and will not interfere at
all. Don't be hesitant to post any questions you may have to the list.
Be sure and let us know what you see!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Coordinator
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