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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for February 2-8, 2001
The moon is full on Thursday February 8. This means that the late
morning is available for observing this weekend. Tuesday would most
likely be the last morning without lunar interference as perhaps 1 hour
of dark skies can be obtained between moon set and the start of morning
twilight. On Wednesday the moon will be in the sky during the entire
night. 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 February 3/4. 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
06:28 (097) -54. This position lies just 1 degree southeast 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 08:24 (126) -49. This area of
the sky lies in western Vela 3 degrees southeast of 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 09:56 (149) +12. This area of
the sky is located in western Leo where the 4th magnitude star Nu Leonis
is located. This star lies only 3 degrees west of the bright star
Regulus (Alpha Leonis). Any slow to medium speed meteor from this area
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 Virginids
(VIR).
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 09:52 (148) -17. This area of the sky is located in
southwestern Hydra some 2 degrees south of the 4th magnitude star 39
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 11:16 (169) -52. This area of the sky is located in
extreme western Centaurus 2 degrees north of the 4th magnitude star Pi
Centauri. 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 13:20 (200) -37. This area of the sky is easily found as
it is marked my the 3rd magnitude star Iota 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 is the strongest of the Centaurid radiants.
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 13:44 (206) -58. This
position lies in southern Centaurus 3 degrees northwest of the brilliant
star Hadar (Beta Centauri). 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 14:56 (224) -01. This
position lies in northwest Libra 4 degrees north of the 4th magnitude
star 16 Librae. 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 southwestern Serpens Caput or northern Libra
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 14:56 (224) -31. This position lies in extreme northern
Centaurus near the borders of Hydra and Libra. 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, or southern 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 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-Corona Borealis-Serpens Caput? There have
been reports of activity in and around this area 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 through at least Tuesday before the moon becomes too
much of a hindrance. The two IMO radiants are located at 15:32 (233) +30
and 15:44 (236) +13. The northern radiant is located within the "crown"
close to the star Beta Coronae Borealis. The more southern radiant is
located near the "head" of Serpens 2 degrees south of Beta Serpentis.
Another area of possible activity would lie in eastern Bootes between
Arcturus and Xi Bootis. This area of the sky is too low until 0200 local
time. Since the moon will lie in the opposite direction observations may
be attempted while the moon still lies above the horizon. Any suspected
shower meteors would appear to move slowly if seen near the radiant or
near the horizon. Those seen high in the sky far away from the radiant
would appear to be swift. Meteors seen near the radiant would also be
short. If you are facing the radiants and see a long meteor close to the
radiant(s) then that meteor is sporadic or belongs to another shower.
Plotting, photographic, and video observations are of prime importance
to try to help us determine shower association. Your efforts in trying
to help us verify this activity and its exact radiant would be extremely
appreciated!
Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator
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