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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for March 16-22, 2001
The moon reaches its last quarter phase on Friday March 16. Observers
this weekend will have some interference from the waning crescent moon
during the last third of the night. The situation will improve each day
as the moon approaches its new phase. Evening observers have no lunar
interference this week but have to contend with low rates. 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 6 for the Northern Hemisphere and 8 for those
located in the Southern Hemisphere. These morning rates assume that you
are watching from rural areas away from sources of light pollution
except the moon. The actual rates will also depend on factors such as
personal light and motion perception, local weather conditions,
alertness and experience in watching for meteor activity. The positions
listed below are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning March 17/18.
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 12:44 (191) -04. This area of
the sky is located in central Virgo 3 degrees southeast of the famous
3rd magnitude double star Porimma (Gamma Virginis). 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 1 to 2 meteors per hour
from this source. Those who share reports with the IMO should label
these meteors as Virginids (VIR).
The Gamma Normids 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 16:52 (253) -50. This
area of the sky lies in western Ara 3 degrees north of the 3rd magnitude
star Epsilon 1 Arae. Being past maximum hourly rates should be only 1 or
2 per hour this week from far southern observing sites. These meteors
are normally quite swift except when seen near the radiant or near the
horizon.
The Northern Apex radiant is now located at 17:44 (266) -08. This
position lies in eastern Ophiuchus some 4 degrees northwest of the 3rd
magnitude star Nu 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 eastern Ophiuchus or southern Serpens Cauda
would be a good candidate. As seen from the Northern Hemisphere this
source should produce 1-2 meteors per hour near dawn. Rates seen from
the Southern Hemisphere may be slightly better at 2-3 per hour.
The Southern Apex source lies exactly 30 degrees south of its northern
counterpart at 17:44 (266) -38. This position lies in eastern Scorpius,
in the tail on the scorpion, just 1 degree northeast of the 2nd
magnitude star Kappa Scorpii. 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 eastern Scorpius, northwestern Corona
Australis, or southwestern Sagittarius 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 would be better at perhaps 3-4 per hour.
The Delta Pavonids is a far southern shower listed among the radiants of
the Dutch Meteor Society. It does not reach maximum activity until March
29 so current rates are less than 1 per hour. The current radiant
position lies at 19:20 (290) -61. This area of the sky is located in
northern Pavo 2 degrees southeast of the globular cluster NGC 6752. I
would not expect any activity from this radiant to be visible north of
30 degrees north latitude. This radiant is better seen from a location
far south of the equator during the last hour before morning twilight.
These meteors have a geocentric velocity of 35 km/sec. which means they
would appear to move slowly if seen near the radiant or near the
horizon. If seen far from the radiant and high in the sky then they
would travel with medium speeds much like the Geminids of December.
The Sporadic rates for the Northern Hemisphere are now in decline and
will do so until June. One would expect to see perhaps 3-4 random
meteors per hour with lunar interference during the last hours before
dawn from rural observing sites. During the evening hours perhaps 2
random meteors can be seen per hour. Rates seen from the Southern
Hemisphere would now be better than those seen in the Northern
Hemisphere with perhaps 5-6 random meteors being seen per hour during
the late morning hours and 2-3 per hour during the evening.
Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator
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