Activity from the Delta Leonids
reaches a ZHR of 1 on February 15. Maximum activity does not occur until
February 25 so current rates would be quite low. The radiant is located
at 10:44 (161) +18, which is located in central Leo some 12 degrees northeast
of the 1st magnitude star Regulus (Alpha Leonis). This position is close
to the antihelion radiant so care must be taken to distinguish meteors
between the two radiants. With an entry velocity of 23 kilometers per second
these meteors are slower than most meteors from the antihelion radiant.
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 12:00 (180) -57 which places it in northwestern Crux some 7 degrees west 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 14:12 (213) -42. The Theta Centaurids are the most northern of these radiants and accessible to observers south of 45 degrees north latitude. This position lies in eastern Centaurus 3 degrees west of 2nd magnitude Eta Centauri. This part of the sky is best seen near 0500 local time. The maximum activity occurred on February 14 with ZHR's near 4. Current rates would be 3 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 14:48 (222) -62 which places it in southeastern Centaurus only 2 degrees southeast of the brilliant star Rigel Kentaurus (Alpha Centauri). 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 15:48 (237) -04. This position lies in southern Serpens Caput near the 4th magnitude star Mu Serpentis. 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, southwestern Ophiuchus, northwestern Scorpius or southern 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 15:48 (237) -34. This position lies in northeastern Lupus 10 degrees southwest of the brilliant orange star Antares (Alpha 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 northern Lupus or southwestern Scorpius could be a candidate from this source. Rates would be 3-4 per hour from the Southern Hemisphere and only 1 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 1-2 during the evening hours.
Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford