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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity for September 15-21, 2000

The moon is just past full and will not reach its last quarter phase
until Thursday September 21. This means that the only available dark sky
will be available during the evening hours between dusk and moonrise.
This amounts to 1-2 hours early in this period to 5-6 hours late in the
period. Unfortunately this is the time of lowest meteor activity since
we are facing meteors that have to catch up to the Earth. The Kappa
Aquarids and the Antihelion radiant will be available to view in dark
skies. For the remainder, just the radiant positions for Saturday
night/Sunday morning are given since the moon will be a major hindrance
in viewing these showers.

The Kappa Aquarids reach maximum activity on September 18. Even then
rates would be less than 1 per hour from the Northern Hemisphere due to
the low altitude of the radiant.  The radiant position for the 18th is 
22:36 (338) -05. This position is located in north central Aquarius near
the 5th magnitude star Chi Aquarii. The radiant rises a hour after
sunset but is best seen just before moonrise each night.

The Antihelion radiant is now located at 00:36 (009) +04. This position
is in central Pisces a few degrees southwest of the 4th magnitude star
Delta Piscium. Any meteor seen from Pisces, eastern Pegasus, or 
northern Cetus has a good chance of being associated with this source.
This radiant is also known as the Southern Piscids with the I.M.O.
designation "SPI". These meteors are slow and best seen near 0200, which 
unfortunately will be after moonrise this week. Some activity may still
be seen before moonrise later in the period. Rates are better than the
Kappa Aquarids with perhaps 1-2 meteors being seen per hour.

The remainder of the active radiant are greatly affected by moonlight.
Conditions will be much more favorable next week to view these sources
of activity. The listed positions are for Saturday night/Sunday morning 
September 16/17.

September Perseids    04:32 (068) +48  

Northern Apex         05:36 (084) +38

Southern Apex         05:36 (084) +08 

The Sporadic rates for the Northern Hemisphere are nearing their annual
maximum. Under dark moonless skies just after dusk I would expect one
would see 5 random meteors per hour from rural sites with little light 
pollution. The morning skies are filled with moonlight and sporadic
rates will vary between 5-10 per hour depending on the intensity of the
moonlight.


Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator
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