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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for February 25 - March 2, 2000



I realize that this is a bit early but I am out of town for the
remainder of the week. Better early than not at all!

The moon is now totally out of the way during the evening hours allowing
dark sky observing during the pre-midnight hours. There are now two
radiants active during this time. The Delta Leonids have already reached
a maximum activity of near 2 per hour on February 24th but activity near
these levels will continue for several days. On Saturday night/Sunday
morning the 26th/27th The radiant will be located at  11:16 +16  which
is very close to the star Theta Leonis in eastern Leo. The radiant drift
for the Delta Leonids is 3.6 minutes east and 0.3 degrees south each
night observed after the 26th/27th. Any member of the Delta Leonid would
be very slow as its geocentric velocity is only 19 km/sec. The radiant
rises at sunset and is best placed high in the south near midnight.

The Virginid activity continues from a radiant (on the 26th/27th)
located at  11:48 +4 near the star Beta Virginis in western Virgo. This
is close to the Delta Leonid radiant so care should be taken when
identifying shower members from this area of the sky. Virginid rates are
similar to the Delta Leonids but they should appear a bit faster since
their geocentric velocity is 30 km/sec. Radiant drift for the Virginids
is 2.0 minutes eastward and 0.3 degrees southward each night after the
26th/27th.

Observers in the Southern Hemisphere and the tropics can also watch out
for the Theta Centaurids now located near 14:26 -43 and the Gamma
Normids from  15:32 -52. Both of these radiant produce swift meteors 
with geocentric velocities of 60 and 56 km/sec. Both of these radiants
are best seen just before dawn but unfortunately a waning crescent moon
will hamper observations during this time.

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Coordinator
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