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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity for the Week December 17-23
The moon is becoming more of a problem now as it passes first quarter
and heads for its full phase. Only late morning observing is free of
moonlight and this window disappears by Tuesday the 21st as moonset and
morning twilight occur simultaneously.
The Geminids are now producing a very small fraction of their maximum
activity. It is down to just a few meteors per hour now and soon just a
few meteors per night. By next week Geminid activity will have ceased
altogether. Watch between moonset and dawn for any remnants left of this
shower. The radiant has moved a bit further east and now lies 5 degrees
east of the bright star Castor (Alpha Geminorum).
Although the IMO has the Chi Orionids ending by December 15, there
remains an active radiant moving eastward through central Gemini. It
would be confusing to call them the Geminids as December already has a
notable Geminid shower. Perhaps early Delta Cancrids or late Chi
Orionids? I prefer to keep the Chi Orionid name until the first of the
year when the Delta Cancrids take over. These meteors are near the
opposition point in the sky and are therefore in the sky all night long.
The meteors are of medium speed with low rates of 1-2 per hour.
The IMO also has the Puppid-Velids ending on December 15 but mentions
that sub-radiants continue until the end of January. Observers in the
Southern Hemisphere may wish to keep and eye out for any of this
continued activity.
The Coma Berenicids continue this week and reach a broad maximum on
Monday. The radiant is located near the "tail" of Leo some 10 degrees
north of the 2nd magnitude star Denebola. The radiant rises near 2300
local time and is positioned on the meridian high in the southern skies
at dawn. These meteors are very swift and appear much like the Leonids
seen last month. Brighter members tend to be blue in color and often
present persistent trains. Once the moon has set expect to see 3-5 COM's
per hour from rural sites without light pollution. Remember to keep the
radiant area in your field of view in order to see the most activity and
to help with shower association.
The Ursids become active this weekend and reach maximum activity on
Wednesday December 22. The predicted time of maximum activity is near
0000 UT on the 23rd which is 1900 (7pm EST) local time Wednesday evening
for the East Coast. The radiant is located near the bright orange star
Kochab in the bowl of the Little Dipper. At this time of night it lies
below Polaris and is not well placed in the northern sky. After 2100 it
begins to climb higher into the sky and is better placed for viewing
during the hours before dawn. Needless to say the full moon will hamper
viewing of this shower but it will still be possible to see activity if
your sky is dry and transparent. Under the best possible conditions with
a full moon one may expect to see 5 Ursids per hour on Wednesday
night/Thursday morning.
Be sure to share your observations of these showers with the rest of us
on Meteorobs!
Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
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