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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for March 23-29, 2001
The moon is new on Saturday March 24. This is the best time to watch for
meteor activity this month. Early next week the waxing crescent moon
will enter the evening sky but should not pose a problem during this
period. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week
should 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 7 for the Northern Hemisphere
and 12 for those located in the Southern Hemisphere. These morning 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
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 24/25. 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 13:12 (198) -07. This area of
the sky is located in central Virgo directly between the 4th magnitude
star Theta Virginis and the bright first magnitude star Spica (Alpha
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 Northern Apex radiant is now located at 18:12 (273) -08. This
position lies in Serpens Cauda some 3 degrees northeast 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, Serpens Cauda, or Scutum
could be a good candidate. As seen from the Northern Hemisphere this
source should produce 1 meteor per hour during the last few hours before
dawn. Rates seen from the Southern Hemisphere should be better with
perhaps 2 of these meteor being seen per hour.
The Southern Apex source lies exactly 30 degrees south of its northern
counterpart at 18:12 (273) -38. This position lies in northwestern
Corona Australis, just 2 degrees south of the 3nd magnitude star Eta
Sagittarii. 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, Corona Australis, or southern Sagittarius
could possibly be a candidate from this source. As seen from the
Northern Hemisphere this source now lies so low in the southeastern sky
that chances are no activity will be seen. With the radiant being
situated much higher in the sky, rates seen from the Southern Hemisphere
should be better with perhaps 2-3 of these meteor being seen 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 close to 1 per hour. The current radiant
position lies at 20:08 (302) -62. This area of the sky is located in
eastern Pavo 5 degrees southwest of the 2nd magnitude star Peacock
(Alpha Pavonis). 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 5 random meteors
per hour 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 slightly better
than those seen in the Northern Hemisphere with perhaps 6 random meteors
being seen per hour during the late morning hours and 3 per hour during
the evening.
Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator
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