[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for December 28, 2001 - January 3, 2002

The moon is full on Sunday December 30. With the moon's bright glare in
the sky all night long, meteor observing will be difficult and most
likely unrewarding. The Quadrantid meteor shower does peak on Thursday 
morning January 3 with an 80 percent illuminated moon in the sky.
Quadrantid activity can be seen but don't expect to see more than 20
shower members per hour under such conditions. The estimated total
hourly rates for evening observers this week should be near 1 for
everyone regardless of location. For morning observers the estimated
total hourly rates should be near 3 for everyone regardless of location.
These rates assume that you are watching from rural areas away from all
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 meteor activity. Rates
are reduced by moonlight during this period.

The positions listed below are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning
December 29/30. The positions do not change greatly day to day so they
may be used during this entire period. Most star atlas's (available at
science stores and libraries) will provide maps with grid lines of the
celestial coordinates so that you may find out exactly where these
positions are located in the sky. A planisphere or computer planetarium
program is also useful in showing the sky at any time of night on any
date of the year. Activity from each radiant is best seen when it is
positioned highest in the sky, either due north or south along the
meridian, depending on your location. Meteor activity is not seen from
radiants that are located below the horizon. The radiants are listed in
a west to east manner in order of right ascension (celestial longitude).
The radiants listed first are located further west therefore are
accessible earlier in the night while those listed last rise later in
the night. This list also provides the order of ascending velocity for
each radiant with those listed first being much slower than those 
last on the list. Velocity should not be the prime factor for shower
association as all showers can produce slow meteors. Slow meteors would
be seen near the radiant or close to the horizon. The true velocity is
only revealed in shower members seen far from the radiant and high in
the sky. The detailed descriptions of each shower will return next week
with moonlight becoming less of a factor.

Antihelion    07:32 (113) +21 
Northern Apex 12:32 (188) +12 
Southern Apex 12:32 (188) -18 

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator
The archive and Web site for our list is at http://www.meteorobs.org
If you are interested in complete links on the 2001 LEONIDS, see:
http://www.meteorobs.org/storms.html
To stop getting email from the 'meteorobs' list, use the Web form at:
http://www.meteorobs.org/subscribe.html