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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for December 29, 2000 - January 4, 2001



The moon reaches its first quarter phase on Tuesday January 2, 2001. At
this time it rises near noon and sets near midnight leaving the second
half of the night free for observing in ideal conditions. For the 
second week in a row we have a major meteor shower reaching maximum
activity. After the disappointment of low Ursids rates the Quadrantids
are ready to fill the morning sky with numerous meteors shortly after
the new year. The positions listed below (except for the Quadrantids)
are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning December 30/31. The
positions do not change greatly day to day so these positions may be
used during this entire period.

The Antihelion radiant is now located at  07:36 (114) +21. This area of
the sky is located in eastern Gemini 5 degrees east of the second
magnitude star Delta Geminorum. Being a diffuse radiant any slow 
meteor from this area or western Cancer 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. At this time expect to see perhaps 2 to 3 meteors 
per hour from this source. Those who share their observations with the
IMO should label these meteors Delta Cancrids (DCA).

Since Southern Hemisphere observers have been shut out of the recent
activity they can look forward to a number of meteor showers best seen
by them. The first of these is the Gamma Velids. This radiant is 
currently located at 8:08 (122) -46. This area of the sky is located in
extreme western Vela, just 2 degrees north of the bright star Gamma
Velorum. This area of the sky is best placed near 0100 local time. At
this time it may be possible for observers south of 30 N. to see an
occasional long meteor shoot upwards from the southern skies. Even from
far south locations rates are only 1-2 an hour at best. The Gamma Velids 
are of medium velocity which means that they would appear to move slowly
if seen near the radiant and only a bit faster if seen high in the sky
and far from the radiant.

The Northern Apex is now located at 12:36 (189) +12. This position lies
in northwestern Virgo some 5 degrees west  of the 3rd magnitude star
Epsilon Virginis. Since this radiant is also diffuse any meteors 
from eastern Leo, western Virgo, or Coma Berenices would be a good
candidate. As seen from the Northern Hemisphere this source should
produce 2-3 meteors per hour near dawn. Observers in the Southern
Hemisphere should see similar rates. These meteors should be reported as
Coma Berenicids (COM) by observers reporting to the IMO.

The Southern Apex source lies exactly 30 degrees south of its northern
counterpart at 12:36 (189) -18. This position lies in central Corvus
near the star Delta Corvi. Like the northern apex these meteors are best 
seen toward dawn when the radiant lies highest above the horizon in a
dark sky. Any meteor from Corvus or southwestern Virgo could possibly be
a good candidate from this source. As seen from the Northern 
Hemisphere this source should produce 1-2 meteors per hour near dawn.
Rates seen from the Southern Hemisphere could  be a bit better at 2-3
per hour.

The Quadrantids are active from January 1-5. They are named after the
obsolete constellation of Quadrans Muralis which use to occupy the
remote area near the intersections of Draco, Bootes, Hercules, 
and Ursa Majoris. This shower reaches a sharp maximum near 12:00
Universal Time on January 3, 2001. This time favors western North
America when perhaps 100 shower members could be seen each hour 
from remote rural observing sites. Maximum activity only lasts on the
order of 2 hours so most observers will witness lower rates. Those lucky
to have clear skies during the last two hours before dawn could 
experience a strong display in the area mentioned above. The Quadrantid
radiant is located at 15:20 (230) +49. This portion of the sky lies low
in the northwest for northern mid latitude observers at dusk. A few 
hours later it passes beneath the pole reaching it lowest elevation of
the night. South of latitude 41 N. it actually lies beneath the horizon
at this time. Near midnight it rises and is best placed high in the
northeast sky just before dawn. It is during this time that the best
rates will be seen for most observers. At this time I would suggest
facing anywhere from due north to due east to see the most activity. Be
sure to look upward at least halfway to the zenith so that the horizon
does not block any of your field of view. On the other hand there is no
need to look straight up as more activity is seen a bit lower in the sky
through the thicker portions of the atmosphere. The Quadrantids are of
medium velocity but will appear slow if seen near the radiant. Those
seen high in the sky and far from the radiant will appear to travel a
bit faster. The Quadrantids are often quoted as producing blue meteors
but I have rarely seen this color during this display. The brighter
Quadrantids usually appear yellow with an occasional orange or blue
meteor. Fireballs and persistent trains are scarce but I did witness a
-10 Quadrantid fireball back in 1981 which left a 4 minute train. So it
is possible! This is the best chance for North American observers to see
this shower until 2009 so don't miss this opportunity if you have clear
skies. Be sure and try your hand at meteor photography during this
display too! Use a 50mm or wider lens with at least a 5 minute time
exposure. The film should be ISO 400 or faster to pick up these faint
streaks in the sky. Aim your camera in the same direction in which you
are facing so that you can immediately close the shutter if a bright one
shoots through your field of view. 

The Sporadic rates for the Northern Hemisphere should still be strong.
One would expect to see perhaps 7-9 random meteors per hour during the
last hours before dawn from rural observing sites. During the 
evening hours perhaps 2-3 random meteors can be seen per hour. Rates
seen from the Southern Hemisphere would now to similar to those seen
from the north.

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator
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