Meteor Activity Outlook for August 6-12, 2011

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During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Saturday August 6th. At this time the moon will lie ninety degrees east of the sun and will set near 0100 local daylight time (LDT) for observers located in the mid-northern latitudes. Next week the waxing gibbous moon will enter the morning sky and will reduce the observing window for dark sky viewing with each passing night. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is near five as seen from the northern hemisphere and two as seen from the southern hemisphere. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near twenty eight from mid-northern latitudes and seventeen from mid-southern latitudes.  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.

The radiant (the area of the sky where meteors appear to shoot from) positions and rates listed below are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning August 6/7. These positions do not change greatly day to day so the listed coordinates may be used during this entire period. Most star atlases (available at science stores and planetariums) 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 latitude. It must be remembered that meteor activity is rarely seen at the radiant position. Rather they shoot outwards from the radiant so it is best to center your field of view so that the radiant lies at the edge and not the center. Viewing there will allow you to easily trace the path of each meteor back to the radiant (if it is a shower member) or in another direction if it is a sporadic. Meteor activity is not seen from radiants that are located below the horizon. The positions below are listed in a west to east manner in order of right ascension (celestial longitude). The positions listed first are located further west therefore are accessible earlier in the night while those listed further down the list rise later in the night.

The following showers are expected to be active this week:

Activity from the August Draconids (AUD) can be first detected near August 11th from a radiant located at 18:00 (270) +61. This position lies in southern Draco, close to the second magnitude star Eltanin (Gamma Draconis). Maximum activity is not predicted until August 21st so current rates would be low, less than one per hour. With an entry velocity of 23 km/sec. most of these meteors will appear to move slowly. The radiant is best placed near 2200 Local Daylight Time (10pm LDT) when it lies highest in the sky. Due to its high northern declination this shower is not well seen from the southern hemisphere.

The Kappa Cygnids (KCG) are active from a wide radiant located in northern Lyra, southern Draco, and northwestern Cygnus. The strongest areas seem to vary year to year but the current mean value lies near 18:47 (282) +46. This location lies in northern Lyra, seven degrees northeast of the brilliant star Vega (Alpha Lyrae). Maximum activity is now predicted to occur on August 14th. Current rates would be less than one per hour no matter your location. With an entry velocity of 23 km/sec. most of these meteors will appear to travel slower than average. The radiant is best placed near 2300 LDT (11pm LDT) when it lies nearly overhead for much of the Northern Hemisphere. Due to its high northern declination this activity is not well seen from the southern hemisphere. Of the few meteors seen from this source, several of them have been of fireball class brightness.

The Alpha Capricornids (CAP) are active from a wide radiant located at 20:40 (310) -08. This position lies near the area where Capricornus, Aquarius, and Aquila meet. This position lies eight degrees northeast of the third magnitude double star Alpha Capricornii. The radiant is best placed near 0100 local daylight time (LDT), when it lies on the meridian and is highest in the sky.  Maximum activity occurred on July 30th so current rates should be less than one as seen from the northern hemisphere and one per hour from the southern. Don’t confuse these meteors with the antihelion meteors, which have a radiant just to the east. Both radiants need to be in your field of view to properly sort these meteors. With an entry velocity of 25 km/sec., most activity from this radiant would be slow, a bit slower than the antihelions. This radiant is well seen except for far northern latitudes where it remains twilight all night long and the radiant does not rise as high into their sky.

The wide Antihelion (ANT) radiant is now centered at 21:48 (327) -12. This area of the sky lies in eastern Capricornus, three degrees north of the third magnitude star Deneb Algedi (Delta Capricorni). This radiant is best placed near 0200 LDT, when it lies on the meridian and is located highest in the sky. Due to the large size of this radiant, any meteor radiating from Capricornus, Aquarius, or southwestern Pegasus could be a candidate for this shower. Rates at this time should be near one per hour as seen from the northern hemisphere and two per hour as seen from south of the equator. With an entry velocity of 30 km/sec., the average Antihelion meteor would be of medium-slow speed.

The Delta Aquariids (SDA) reached maximum activity on July 30th. Current hourly rates are near two per hour as seen from the northern hemisphere and three per hour as seen from south of the equator. The radiant is currently located at 23:09 (347) -14. This position lies in central Aquarius, three degrees northeast of the third magnitude star Delta Aquarii. The radiant  is best placed near 0300 LDT, when it lies highest in the sky. With an entry velocity of 42 km/sec., most activity from this radiant would be of average velocities..

The Piscids Austrinids (PAU) are a minor shower not well seen from the northern hemisphere. This radiant is active from July 15 through August 10. Maximum activity occurred on July 28 when the zenith hourly rate (ZHR) may reach five. These rates are only seen from the southern hemisphere where the radiant passes overhead. From mid-northern latitudes, rates of one per hour at maximum are usually seen. The radiant is currently located at 23:18 (350) -27. This position lies in extreme northwestern Sculptor, four degrees northeast of the first magnitude star Fomalhaut (Alpha Piscis Austrinus). The radiant is best placed near 0300 LDT, when it lies highest in the sky. With an entry velocity of 35km/sec., most activity from this radiant would be of average velocities.

Studies by Sirko Molau and Juergen Rendtel of the IMO’s video data have revealed an active radiant in the constellation of Pisces this time of year. The August Piscids (AUP) are active from August 2nd through the 9th with maximum activity occurring on the 4th. On the 4th, the radiant is located at 00:40 (010) +19. This area of the sky lies in a remote area of central Pisces, five degrees northeast of the second magnitude star Algenib (Gamma Pegasi). Interestingly, if one were to continue the radiant drift for the July Pegasids into August, it would closely match that of the August Piscids. This radiant is best placed during the last dark hour before dawn, when it lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. Rates at this time should be less than one no matter your location. With an entry velocity of 66 km/sec., the average August Piscid meteor would be of swift speed.

The Perseids (PER) are active from a radiant located at 02:38 (040) +56. This position lies in northern Perseus, just west of the fourth magnitude star Eta Persei.  The radiant is best placed during the last hour before the start of morning twilight when it lies highest in a dark sky. Hourly rates this weekend during the late morning hours would be near ten as seen from the northern hemisphere . As the week progresses the rates will increase as we approach the August 13 maximum. Unfortunately the dark viewing window of opportunity decreases as the moon waxes and the moon sets later with each passing night. Activity from this source is poorly seen from the southern hemisphere and not visible at all south of 40 degrees south latitude.  With an entry velocity of 61 km/sec., most activity from this radiant would be swift.

While viewing the Perseids through the years, many observers have reported noticing weak activity from the area of Cetus and Eridanus. During their studies of the IMO’s video database,  Sirko Molau and Juergen Rendtel discovered an active radiant in this area. The Eridanids (ERI) are active from August 4th through the 18th with maximum activity occurring on the 9th. Hourly rates could reach 2-3 per hour at maximum. The radiant is currently located at 02:53 (043) -12. This area of the sky is located in extreme western Eridanus, between the faint stars Pi and Eta Eridani. This radiant is best placed during the last hour before dawn when it lies highest in a dark sky. With an entry velocity of 64 km/sec., the average Eridanid meteor would be swift.

As seen from the mid-northern hemisphere (45N) one would expect to see approximately fourteen sporadic meteors per hour during the last hour before dawn as seen from rural observing sites. Evening rates would be near two per hour. As seen from the mid-southern hemisphere (45S), morning rates would be near seven per hour as seen from rural observing sites and one per hour during the evening hours. Locations between these two extremes would see activity between the listed figures. Evening rates are reduced this week due to moonlight.

The table below presents a condensed version of the expected activity this week. Rates and positions are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning.

SHOWER DATE OF MAXIMUM ACTIVITY CELESTIAL POSITION ENTRY VELOCITY CULMINATION HOURLY RATE CLASS
RA (RA in Deg.) DEC Km/Sec Local Daylight Time North-South
August Draconids (AUD) Aug 21 18:00 (270) +61 23 22:00 <1 – <1 IV
Kappa Cygnids (KCG) Aug 14 18:47 (282) +46 23 23:00 <1 – <1 IV
Alpha Capricornids (CAP) Jul 30 20:40 (310) -08 25 01:00 <1 – 1 II
Antihelions (ANT) 21:48 (327) -12 30 02:00 1 – 2 II
Delta Aquariids (SDA) Jul 30 23:09 (347) -14 42 03:00 2 – 3 I
Piscis Austrinids (PAU) Jul 28 23:18 (350) -27 35 03:00 <1 – 1 II
August Piscids (AUP) Aug 04 00:40 (010) +19 66 04:00 <1 – <1 IV
Perseids (PER) Aug 13 02:38 (040) +56 61 06:00 10 – 2 I
Eridanids (ERI) Aug 09 02:53 (043) -12 64 06:00 1 – 1 IV

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16 comments

  • michael king 13 years ago

    /i am looking for a schedule of Meteror /Showers that might be visible from Windham New York 12496 during August September 2011

    Reply to michael
    • amsadmin 13 years ago

      Michael and All, meteor showers are not location specific unless you are comparing locations of widely different latitudes such and New York City verses Rio de Janeiro. So what you will see in New York will be much the same that will be visible a few hours later in San Francisco. For August and September, your best bet to see meteor activity will occur on the nights of August 11/12 and 12/13, when the Perseid meteor shower reaches maximum activity. Unfortunately the moon will be full on these dates and will obscure all but the brighter meteors. Still, more meteor activity will be seen on these nights than on all but a handful of nights throughout the year, regardless of the lunar phase. It will be important to note that more Perseid meteors will be seen after midnight compared to prior to midnight. The reason for this is that the Perseid radiant, the area of the sky where Perseid meteors appear to shoot from, lies higher in the sky during the morning hours compared to the evening hours.

      I hope this helps!

      Robert Lunsford

      Reply to amsadmin
  • Ali 13 years ago

    Perseids (PER) Aug 13 02:38 (040) +56 61 06:00

    Does this mean that the Perseids meteor shower will happen at 6 am on Saturday, August 13th?

    Reply to Ali
    • amsadmin 13 years ago

      Ali and All,

      What this means is that the Perseid radiant, the area of the sky where the Perseid meteors seem to shoot from, will be best placed in the sky at 6am local time, regardless of your location. Unfortunately in the northern hemisphere at this time of year the sun is above the horizon at this time so it would be advisable to watch during the last few hours before morning twilight on Saturday August 13th.

      I hope this helps!

      Robert Lunsford

      Reply to amsadmin
  • Mr. Science 13 years ago

    I am in New York and tonight around 9 pm eastern time I was able to see a meteor which appeared extremely close to earth and was very bright..me and my wife thought it was amazing!

    Reply to Mr.
  • Stephan I Goldberg 13 years ago

    Thanx for the info. It helps me know where to look to enjoy the free light show tonight. Now we are on to other sights. Thanx for your recomendation

    Reply to Stephan
  • Joshua ciesicki 13 years ago

    We saw a meteor tonight roughly around 10:30pm in New Port Richey, FL.

    Reply to Joshua
  • Amanda Dolan 13 years ago

    I live in central Indiana, I am very interested in seeing the Meteor showers. This is very new to me so this is prob a strange question. Do I look toward the moon to see this or all around the sky? I should go out around 4am till 6am? Thank you

    Reply to Amanda
    • amsadmin 13 years ago

      Amanda and All,

      To see Perseid meteors it would be best to face away from the moon to preserve your night vision. Every time you look at the moon or a bright light your iris will contract and it takes some time for it to recover. The last hour before morning twilight will be the best time to see Perseid meteors as the moon will be low in the sky and the Perseid radiant (the area of the sky where Perseid meteors seem to shoot from) will lie highest in the sky.

      I hope this helps!

      Robert Lunsford

      Reply to amsadmin
  • Mr. Science 13 years ago

    I am located just a little north of New york city…I was determined to see some meteors. So I set my alarm for 3:30 am (august 12) I stared and stared into the starry night and luckily caught a glimpse of two shooting stars…It took and hour or so of patience but it did pay off…tonight I am going to do the same…

    Reply to Mr.
  • Bruce Fontaine 13 years ago

    I am between Springfield and Boston, Mass.
    I went outside, despite the Moon, from 3am-4:30am EST this morning (Aug 12).

    I saw 3 slight ones and one bright one, all short.
    I also was able to catch 2 satellites and a UFO.

    Same time tonight (Saturday morning) 3am – 4:30

    Reply to Bruce
  • Ray 13 years ago

    When is the best time to watch this in Fla?Morning or nite?Facing North,East,South,West?…Fri nite or Sat morning?Thank you…

    Reply to Ray
    • amsadmin 13 years ago

      Ray and All,

      It does not matter where one lives. The best time to see Perseid meteors would be during the last hour or two before dawn when the moon lies lower in the sky and the Perseid radiant (the area of the sky where Perseid meteors seem to shoot from) will lie highest in the sky. Face in a direction where the moon will be at your back. This will allow you to see the most activity.

      I hope this helps!

      Robert Lunsford

      Reply to amsadmin
      • Ray 13 years ago

        Yes It does Thank you very much.And good viewing my friend

        Reply to Ray
  • robert scott 13 years ago

    I live in the Tampa area and have been looking each night but haven’t seen anything,,were should I be looking

    Reply to robert
    • amsadmin 13 years ago

      Robert and All,

      You will see Perseid activity anywhere in the sky. I would suggest facing your darkest direction. Also try watching as late as possible as many more Perseids are seen after midnight than during the evening hours.

      Good Luck!

      Robert Lunsford

      Reply to amsadmin

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