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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for March 30-April 5, 2001
The moon reaches its first quarter phase on Sunday April 1. This means
that it will rise near local noon and set near midnight on this
particular day. The moon will be a nuisance for those observing prior to
midnight but will have set for morning observers. The estimated total
hourly rates for evening observers this week should be near 1 for those
located in the Northern Hemisphere and 2 for those located in the
Southern Hemisphere. Rates are reduced due to moonlight. 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 31/April 1. 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 13:40 (205) -10. This area of
the sky is located in central Virgo just 5 degrees east of the bright
first magnitude star Spica (Alpha Virginis). Any slow to medium speed
meteor from this general 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 18:40 (280) -08. This
position lies in Scutum very close to the 4th magnitude star Epsilon
Scuti. 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
Scutum, Serpens Cauda, southwestern Aquila, or extreme northern
Sagittarius could be a good candidate. As seen from the Northern
Hemisphere this source should produce at least 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 18:40 (240) -38. This position lies in northern Corona
Australis very close to the 5th magnitude star Lambda Coronae Australis.
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 little or 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 reached maximum activity on March 29 with a
predicted ZHR of 5. Current rates are most likely 1-2 per hour at best.
The radiant position lies at 20:52 (313) -64. This area of the sky is
located in eastern Pavo 3 degrees northeast of the 3rd magnitude star
Beta Pavonis. I would not expect any activity from this radiant to be
visible north of 25 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 1 random meteor 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 2 per hour during
the evening.
Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator
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