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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for February 23-March 1, 2001
This is prime time for observing this month as the moon is new on Friday
February 23. The early morning hours,when the best activity occurs, are
totally free of moonlight. There will be a waxing crescent moon in the
evening sky this weekend but it will not become a nuisance until late in
the week. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this
week would be near 2 for those located in the Northern Hemisphere and 3
for those located in the Southern Hemisphere. For morning observers the
estimated total hourly rates would be near 8 for the Northern Hemisphere
and 12 for those located in the Southern Hemisphere. These rates assume
that you are watching from rural areas away from sources of light
pollution. The actual rates will also depend on factors such as personal
motion and light perception, local weather conditions, alertness and
experience in watching for meteor activity. The positions listed below
are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning February 24/25. The
positions do not change greatly day to day so these positions may be
used during this entire period.
The Delta Leonids reach maximum activity on February 24. This shower has
usually produced low rates so do not expect more than 1 meteor per hour
from this radiant. The radiant is located at 11:20 (170) +16. This area
of the sky is located in eastern Leo 2 degrees east of the 3rd magnitude
star Theta Leonis. Like the antihelion radiant this radiant is best
placed near 0100 local time. Meteors from this would also have similar
velocities to the antihelion radiant. One must be careful in separating
the two active areas close together in the sky.
The Antihelion radiant is now located at 11:20 (170) +04. This area of
the sky is located in southeastern Leo 2 degrees south of the 3rd
magnitude star Rho Leonis. Any slow to medium speed meteor from this
area or extreme western Virgo 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 reports with the IMO should label
these meteors as Virginids (VIR).
The Theta Centaurids is the only Centaurid radiant still active. This
shower reached a maximum ZHR of 4 on February 13. Activity this week is
likely to be less than 1 per hour now that we are past maximum. The
current radiant position is located at 14:52 (223) -46. This area of the
sky is located in central Lupus 2 degrees northeast of the 2nd magnitude
star Alpha Lupi. Meteors from this radiant would be best seen near 0400
local time. The Theta Centaurids produce the fast meteors at 60 km/sec.
This velocity is similar to the well known Perseids of August.
The Gamma Normids reach a ZHR of 1 on February 24. This is another far
southern radiant best seen south of the equator. Shower members can be
occasionally glimpsed from low northern latitudes near dawn when the
radiant lies highest above the southern horizon. The current location of
the radiant is at 15:20 (230) -53. This area of the sky lies in
southeastern Lupus 2 degrees southeast of the 3rd magnitude star Xi
Lupi. Hourly rates will be very low this week but will gradually climb
as we approach the March 13 maximum. These meteors are normally quite
swift except when seen near the radiant or near the horizon.
The Northern Apex radiant is now located at 16:20 (245) -06. This
position lies in extreme western Ophiuchus midway between the bright
stars Delta and Xi Ophiuchi. This area of the sky is best placed for
viewing during the last dark hour before dawn. Since this radiant is
diffuse any meteors from western Ophiuchus, Serpens Caput or
northeastern Libra would be a good candidate. As seen from the Northern
Hemisphere this source should produce 1-2 meteors per hour near dawn.
Similar rates would be also seen from the Southern Hemisphere.
The Southern Apex source lies exactly 30 degrees south of its northern
counterpart at 16:20 (245) -36. This position lies in west central
Scorpius 10 degrees south of the brilliant orange star Antares. 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 northern
Lupus or west central Scorpius could possibly be a good candidate from
this source. As seen from the Northern Hemisphere this source should
produce at least 1 meteor per hour near dawn. Rates seen from the
Southern Hemisphere should be better at perhaps 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 5-6 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 some 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 7-8 random meteors being seen per hour
during the late morning hours.
Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator
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