The Delta Velids are listed in the DMS radiant table. They are active for a month from January 22 through February 21 with maximum activity occurring on February 14. The listed ZHR is only 2 so the chance of sporadic pollution is high. This means that there is more of a chance that a random meteor will line up with the radiant than an actual shower member. The radiant is located at 08:36 (129) -51, which place it in southwestern Vela only 3 degrees northwest of the 2nd magnitude star Delta Velorum. This position is too far south to be seen north of 30 degrees north latitude. Southern observers have the best view of this activity when it reaches the meridian near 2300 (11pm) local time. With an entry velocity of 35 kilometers per second these meteors are of medium velocity.
The Alpha Hydrids reached maximum activity back on January 14. Activity from this source is now on the order of 1 shower member per night. If any activity is present it would be produced from a radiant located at 10:08 (152) –19. This area of the sky is located in central Hydra some 7 degrees south of the 4th magnitude star Lambda Hydrae. At this position the radiant is accessible to most latitudes and is best seen near 0100 or 1am local time. With an entry velocity of 44 kilometers per second these meteors would have a medium apparent velocity.
The Antihelion radiant is now located at 10:20 (155) +09. This area of the sky is located in central Leo 4 degrees southeast of the 1st magnitude star Regulus (Alpha Leonis). Any slow to medium speed meteor from Leo or northern Sextans could be a candidate for this shower. This area of the sky is best placed near 0100 local standard time when it lies on the meridian and is highest in the sky. At this time expect to see at least 2 shower members per hour from locations in the Northern Hemisphere. Observers south of the equator will most likely be limited to 1 per hour or less, owing to the lower radiant altitude. Unlike most of the annual showers the antihelion radiant is produced by debris from unknown sources orbiting in a direct motion like the earth. These sources are most likely asteroids, which produce stony and metallic debris whose density is much greater that produced by comets. This debris collides with the earth on the inbound portion of its orbit, before its closest approach to the sun. Therefore we best see them just after midnight when we are facing the direction from which this activity appears. The antihelion radiant is active all year from an area of the sky nearly opposite that of the sun. The radiant will travel approximately one degree eastward per day and travels through many different constellations over the course of a year. It is easiest to simply list these meteors as "ANT" but a majority of meteor organizations prefer that you list them from the constellation in which the radiant is currently located or the constellation where the shower reaches maximum activity. Those who share reports with the I.M.O. should label these meteors as Virginids (VIR).
The Omicron Centaurids are part of an large group of radiants active in the constellation of Centaurus during February. Unfortunately most of this activity is weak and not well seen from northern latitudes. They are active from January 31 through February 19 with maximum activity occurring on February 14. Even at maximum activity rates are only 2 per hour as seen from the Southern Hemisphere so current rates would be less than 2 per hour. The radiant is located at 11:32 (173) -54 which places it in southwestern Centaurus some 6 degrees northwest of the 2nd magnitude star Gacrux (Gamma Crucis). This part of the sky is best seen near 0300 local time when it lies highest in the sky. With an entry velocity of 51 kilometers per second these meteors would have a medium-swift apparent velocity.
The Theta Centaurids are another member of the Centaurid complex active in February. Located at 13:44 (206) -39. The Theta Centaurids are the most northern of these radiants and accessible to observers south of 45 degrees north latitude. This position lies in central Centaurus 4 degrees southwest of 2nd magnitude Theta Centauri. This part of the sky is best seen near 0500 local time. The maximum activity occurs on February 14 with the ZHR reaches 4. Current rates would be 2 per hour and perhaps 1 per night as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. With an entry velocity of 60 kilometers per second these meteors would have a swift apparent velocity.
The Alpha Centaurids are a strong minor shower visible only from the northern tropics southward. They are active from January 28 through February 21 with maximum activity occurring on February 8. Current rates would be 6-7 per hour from locations in the Southern Hemisphere, where the radiant rises high in the sky. The radiant is located at 14:12 (213) -60 which places it in southern Centaurus only 2 degrees west of the brilliant star Hadar (Beta Centaur). This part of the sky is best seen near 0500 local time when it lies highest in the sky. This may be during morning twilight for far southern observers so they should watch during the last few dark hours before morning twilight. With an entry velocity of 56 kilometers per second these meteors would have a swift apparent velocity.
The Northern Apex radiant is now located at 15:20 (230) -03. This position lies in southwestern Serpens Caput some 6 degrees northeast of the 3rd magnitude star Zubeneschamali (Beta Librae). 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 northern Libra, eastern Virgo or southwestern Serpens Caput could be a good candidate for this shower. This source should provide 2-3 meteors per hour during the last few hours before dawn regardless of your location.
Like the antihelion radiant both apex radiants are active all year long and travel approximately one degree eastward per day. Unlike the antihelion debris these particles orbit the sun in a retrograde motion opposite that of the earth and are most likely produced by unknown comets. They strike the earth after their closest approach to the sun. Since they are moving in opposite directions these particles strike the earth at tremendous velocities often creating bright meteors with persistent trains. These particles strike the earth on the morning side of earth and are best seen just before morning twilight while the sky is still perfectly dark. There are meteors with a zero inclination that radiate precisely from the apex point on the ecliptic, exactly 90 degrees west of the sun. These meteors are rare though as the earth orbits the sun it "sweeps clean" much of the material that shares the same orbit. Much more debris is located just north and south of the earth's orbit with slightly higher or lower inclinations. This creates the northern and southern branches of the apex activity. Meteors from both branches are normally included in the sporadic count but should also be noted in some manner as to which branch of the apex complex they appear to radiate.
The Southern Apex source lies exactly 30 degrees south of its northern counterpart at 15:20 (230) -33. This position lies in northern Lupus 3 degrees north of the 4th magnitude star Phi 1 Lupi. 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, northeastern Centaurus, southern Libra, northwestern Scorpius or eastern Hydra could be a candidate from this source. Rates would be 3-4 per hour from the Southern Hemisphere and 1-2 per hour from the Northern Hemisphere.
The Sporadic rates for the Northern Hemisphere are now in decline and will do so until June. One would expect to see perhaps 7-8 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. Rates seen from the Southern Hemisphere would now be a bit better than those seen in the Northern Hemisphere with perhaps 8-10 random meteors being seen per hour during the late morning hours and 2-3 during the evening hours.
Possible activity in Bootes-Corona Borealis-Serpens Caput? There have been reports of activity in and around this area in late January and early February. George Gliba was the first to notice this activity during the mid 90's. Intensified video studies by the IMO in 2000 revealed two radiants; one in Serpens Caput and another located in Corona Borealis during the first week of February. Observers are urged to keep a look out for this activity now through mid-February. The two IMO radiants are located at 15:32 (233) +30 and 15:44 (236) +13. The northern radiant is located within the "crown" close to the star Beta Coronae Borealis. The more southern radiant is located near the "head" of Serpens 2 degrees south of Beta Serpentis. Another area of possible activity would lie in eastern Bootes between Arcturus and Xi Bootis. This area of the sky is too low until 0200 local time. The waning moon will be a hindrance for the first week of the month. Any suspected shower meteors would appear to move slowly if seen near the radiant or near the horizon. Those seen high in the sky far away from the radiant would appear to be swift. Meteors seen near the radiant would also be short. If you are facing the radiants and see a long meteor close to the radiant(s) then that meteor is sporadic or belongs to another shower. Plotting, photographic, and video observations are of prime importance to try to help us determine shower association. Your efforts in trying to help us verify this activity and its exact radiant would be extremely appreciated!
Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator