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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for January 5-11, 2001



The moon is full on Wednesday January 9. Some late morning observations
can be undertaken in that dark window between moonset and morning
twilight this weekend. Now that the Quadrantids are over we enter the
off season for meteors. Rates will be unimpressive until the arrival of
the Lyrids in April. Southern hemisphere observers can enjoy several
minor radiants throughout January and February but nothing exceptional.
There are several suspected radiants that need verification during the
winter so your observing data is more valuable than ever during this
time. The positions listed below are exact for Saturday night/Sunday
morning January 6/7. 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  08:04 (121) +20. This area of
the sky is located in western Cancer some 7 degrees west of the famous
naked eye "Beehive" star cluster. Being a diffuse radiant any slow
meteor from this area or eastern Gemini 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 1 to 2 
meteors per hour from this source. Those who share their observations
with the IMO should label these meteors Delta Cancrids (DCA).

The Gamma Velid radiant is currently located at 8:24 (126) -47. This
area of the sky is located in western Vela, just 2 degrees east 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 Alpha Hydrids is an obscure winter shower listed among the radiants
of the Dutch Meteor Society. Maximum activity is reported to occur on
January 13 with a maximum zenith hourly rate of only 2. The current
radiant is located at 08:36 (129) -09. This area of the sky is located
in western Hydra some 10 degrees south of the head of Hydra. It reaches
the meridian near 0100. At this time it is located highest in the sky
and best placed for viewing.  Any shower members would have medium
velocities meaning that meteors seen near the radiant or the horizon
would be slow and those seen high in the sky away from the radiant would
be of average speed.

The Alpha Crucids is another obscure southern radiant producing little
activity. Australian observers report a maximum zenith hourly rate of
only 3. Maximum activity occurs on January 14 so visual rates this 
week would most likely be less than 1 per hour. The Alpha Crucid radiant
is located at 12:12 (183) -60. This area of the sky is located in
western Crux just 2 degrees south of Delta Crucis, the westernmost star 
in the Southern Cross. This area of the sky is not visible north of 30
degrees north latitude and is best seen from far southern locations just
before dawn. These meteors are of medium velocity comparable to the
better known Lyrids of April.

The Northern Apex is now located at 13:04 (196) +09. This position lies
in northwestern Virgo only 2 degrees southeast  of the 3rd magnitude
star Epsilon Virginis. Since this radiant is also diffuse any meteors 
from northern Virgo, Coma Berenices, or southern Bootes 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 13:04 (196) -21. This position lies near the
intersections of Virgo, Hydra, and Corvus. The nearest bright star is
Gamma Hydrae which lies 2 degrees southeast from the center of the
radiant. 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 southern Virgo, or extreme eastern Hydra 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 Sporadic rates for the Northern Hemisphere are now in decline and
will do so until June. One would expect to see perhaps 7-8 random
meteors per hour during the last hours before dawn from rural observing
sites. During the evening hours perhaps 1-2 random meteors can be seen
per hour with intense interference from the moon. Rates seen from the
Southern Hemisphere would now be a bit better than those seen in the
Northern Hemisphere with perhaps 8-10 random meteors being seen per hour
during the late morning hours.

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator
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