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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for January 26 - February 1, 2001
The moon reaches its first quarter phase on Thursday February 1. On that
date it will rise near noon and set near midnight. Evening observers
will encounter slight interference from the waxing crescent moon this
week but the prime early morning hours will be completely free of
interfering moonlight. The list of active southern radiants below may
appear impressive but only the Alpha Centaurids produce any notable
activity. The remainder are weak showers that have actually been removed
from the IMO radiant list. They are listed here to encourage observers
to continue monitoring these areas of the sky just in case any unusual
activity should occur. The positions listed below are exact for Saturday
night/Sunday morning January 27/28. The positions do not change greatly
day to day so these positions may be used during this entire period.
The Alpha Carinids are listed among the active radiants in the Dutch
Meteor Society. Maximum activity is predicted for January 30 with a ZHR
of only 2. Unless you live in the tropics or the Southern Hemisphere
don't expect to see any of this activity. The radiant is located at
06:16 (094) -54. This position lies just 1 degree southwest of the
brilliant star Canopus (Alpha Carinae). Meteors from this radiant would
be best seen near 10pm (2200) local time. With an entry velocity of only
25 km/sec. shower members would be on the slow side no matter where they
appear in the sky.
The Delta Velids is another southern radiant listed by the Dutch Meteor
Society. Maximum activity is predicted to occur on February 13 with a
ZHR of only 1. At this early date the odds of seeing any activity is
remote. The current radiant position is 08:16 (124) -47. This area of
the sky lies in western Vela very close to the bright star Gamma
Velorum. Meteors from this radiant would be best seen near midnight
local time. 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 Antihelion radiant is now located at 09:28 (142) +14. This area of
the sky is located in western Leo some 10 degrees west of the bright
star Regulus (Alpha Leonis). Any slow to medium speed meteor from this
area or eastern 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 reports with the IMO should label
these meteors as Delta Cancrids (DCA).
The Alpha Hydrids is another 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 09:32 (143) -15. This area of the sky is located in
southwestern Hydra some 5 degrees south of the bright orange star
Alphard (Alpha Hydrae). It also reaches the meridian near 0100. At this
time it is located highest in the sky and best placed for viewing. Any
shower members would also have medium velocities.
The Omicron Centaurids is one of three radiants now active in this
region of the sky. It is also the weakest by only producing a ZHR of 2
when it reaches maximum activity on February 13. The current radiant
position lies at 10:52 (163) -51. This area of the sky is actually
located in extreme eastern Vela near the bright star Mu Velorum. Meteors
from this radiant would be best seen near 0200 local time. With an entry
velocity of 51 km/sec. shower members would appear medium fast if seen
far from the radiant and high in the sky. If seen close to the radiant
or close to the horizon they would appear to travel quite slowly.
The Theta Centaurids is the only radiant of the trio that can reliably
be seen from north temperate latitudes. This shower reaches a maximum
ZHR of 4 on February 13. Activity this week is likely to be less than 1
per hour north of the equator and perhaps up to 2 shower members per
hour from far southern locations. The current radiant position is
located at 12:48 (192) -35. This area of the sky lies in northwestern
Centaurus near the 4th magnitude star Rho Centauri. Meteors from this
radiant would be best seen near 0400 local time. The Theta Centaurids
produce the fastest meteors of the trio at 60 km/sec. This velocity is
similar to the well known Perseids of August.
The Alpha Centaurids reach ZHR's of 1 on January 27. Activity slowly
climbs to a peak ZHR of 7 on February 7. At maximum this shower provides
more activity than all of the other current southern radiants combined.
The current radiant position is 13:08 (197) -56. This position lies in
southern Centaurus just 5 degrees northeast from the center of Crux, the
Southern Cross. Meteors from this radiant would also be best seen near
0400 local time. With an entry velocity of 56 km/sec. these meteors
would appear to travel slowly if seen near the radiant or near the
horizon. If seen well away from the radiant and high in the sky then
they would appear to move quite swiftly.
The Northern Apex radiant is now located at 14:28 (217) +01. This
position lies in a remote area of eastern Virgo. This area of the sky is
best placed for viewing during the last dark hour before dawn. Since
this radiant is also diffuse any meteors from eastern Virgo 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.
The Southern Apex source lies exactly 30 degrees south of its northern
counterpart at 14:28 (217) -29. This position lies in extreme eastern
Hydra close to the Centaurus border. 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 extreme eastern Hydra,
northern Centaurus, southeastern Virgo, or southwestern Libra 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 should be a bit better at
perhaps 3-4 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 2-3 random meteors can be seen
per hour with slight lunar interference. 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.
Possible activity in Bootes? There have been reports of activity in and
around the constellation Bootes in late January an early February.
George Gliba was the first to notice this activity during the mid 90's.
Intensified video studies by the IMO last year revealed two radiants;
one in Serpens Caput and another located in Corona Borealis during the
first week of February. With a full moon occurring on February 8
observers are advised to keep a look out for this activity now before
the moon becomes too much of a hindrance. A more detailed description
will follow next week.
Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator
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