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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for November 24-30, 2000
The moon is new on Saturday November 25 and totally out of the way for
meteor observers. Early next week it will enter the evening sky but will
be a thin crescent not posing much interference. The positions listed
below are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning November 25/26. The
positions do not change greatly day to day so these positions may be
used during this entire period.
The Delta Eridanids are almost over and little activity is expected to
be seen. If any shower members are present they would come from a
radiant located at 04:32 (068) +01. This position is located on the
Eridanus/Taurus border some 12 degrees northwest of the brilliant star
Rigel (Beta Orionis). This area of the sky is well placed for observing
near midnight local time. Any possible shower members would appear to
travel slower than your average meteor.
The Antihelion radiant is now centered at 5:16 (079) +23. This position
lies in eastern Taurus just 5 degrees northwest of the famous Crab
Nebula. Any slow meteor from Taurus, southern Auriga, or northern Orion
is a good candidate for this shower. This area of the sky is best placed
near 0100 local time when it lies on the meridian. Those observers
reporting to the IMO should now classify these antihelion meteors as Chi
Orionids. The antihelion source was quite evident during the Leonid
display and should remain an easy target for some time to come.
The Monocerotids become active this week. This is not the same
Monocerotid shower that was active last week. This shower is active from
late November through the middle of December with maximum activity
occurring on December 8. Currently the radiant is located at 06:00 (90)
+09. This location lies in northeastern Orion just 2 degrees northeast
of the brilliant orange star Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis). This area of
the sky is best placed high in the sky near 0200 local time. Rates this
week should be low for this shower, perhaps 1 per hour as seen from
rural sites. The Monocerotids are of medium speed which means they will
appear to move slowly if seen near the radiant or near the horizon.
Those seen far from the radiant and high in the sky will appear to
travel faster, but much slower than swift showers such as the Leonids.
The Zeta Puppids may be active from a radiant located at 08:24 (126)
-45. This position lies in a rich star field in western Vela some 3
degrees northeast of the bright star Gamma Velorum. Activity from this
radiant would be difficult to detect from the Northern Hemisphere. Those
situated south of the equator have a much better chance of seeing any of
this activity. This radiant is highest in the sky near 0400 local time.
Shower members would appear to travel slowly if seen near the radiant or
low in the sky. Those appearing far from the radiant and high in the sky
would be of medium velocity.
The Northern Apex is now located at 10:16 (154) +25. This position lies
in northern Leo 5 degrees north of the famous double star Algeiba (Gamma
Leonis). Since this radiant is diffuse any meteors from western Leo
or Leo Minor would be a good candidate. As seen from the Northern
Hemisphere this source should still be quite active producing 3-4
meteors per hour near dawn. From the Southern Hemisphere this source
would be much lower in the sky and only producing 1-2 meteors per hour.
The Southern Apex source lies exactly 30 degrees south of its northern
counterpart at 10:16 (154) -05. This position lies in a rather blank
area of the sky in the constellation of Sextans. Like the northern apex
these meteors are best seen toward dawn when the radiant lies highest
above the horizon in a dark sky. As seen from the Northern Hemisphere
this source should produce 2-3 meteors per hour near dawn. Similar rates
would be seen from the Southern Hemisphere.
The Sporadic rates for the Northern Hemisphere should still be quite
strong. One would expect to see perhaps 8-10 random meteors per hour
during the last hours before dawn from rural observing sites. During
the dark evening hours perhaps 3-4 random meteors can be seen per hour.
Rates seen from the Southern Hemisphere are on the upswing but still
only 75% of the northern rates.
Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator
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