American Meteor Society
Radiant Positions at 9pm LDT
Radiant Positions at 1am LDT
Radiant positions at 5am LDT
During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Friday September 27th. At this time the moon is located 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near midnight local daylight time as seen from mid-northern latitudes. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise a few hours after dusk and will obscure all but the brightest meteors the remainder of the night. The dark meteor observing window increases by roughly 45 minutes each night between moon rise and dusk. Unfortunately the evening hours are poor for viewing meteor activity so do not expect to see much activity during this time. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near four for observers located in the northern hemisphere and three for those viewing south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near nine as seen from mid-northern latitudes and near seven for observers viewing from tropical southern latitudes. Morning rates during this period are reduced due to moonlight. 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. Note that the hourly rates listed below are estimates as viewed from dark sky sites away from urban light sources. Observers viewing from urban areas will see less activity as only the brightest meteors will be visible from such locations.
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 September 21/22. 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 sources of meteoric activity are expected to be active this week. Details of each source will return next week when the situation with moonlight is much improved.
The table below presents a list of radiants that are expected to be active 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 | |||
| IMO #166 | Sep 24 | 17:40 (065) +84 | 38 | 18:00 | <1 – <1 | II |
| Southern Taurids (STA) | Oct 10 | 01:08 (017) +06 | 29 | 02:00 | 1 – 1 | II |
| September Epsilon Perseids (SPE) | Sep 09 | 04:12 (063) +40 | 66 | 05:00 | 1 – <1 | II |
| Delta Aurigids (DAU) | Sep 25 | 05:08 (077) +58 | 63 | 06:00 | <1 – <1 | IV |
| Orionids (ORI) | Oct 22 | 05:12 (078) +09 | 67 | 06:00 | 1 – 1 | I |
| Beta Aurigids (BAU) | Sep 23 | 05:52 (088) +49 | 67 | 07:00 | <1 – <1 | IV |
| September Lyncids (SLY) | Sep 09 | 07:48 (110) +54 | 60 | 09:00 | <1 – <1 | IV |
I observed six meteors in the W/NW sky between 11:10 and 11.15 pm on 22 September 2013 in Phoenix, AZ.
Is the planet X galaxy and all of it’s space junk going to pulverize us in the next few weeks/months?
I observed a fireball this morning at approximately 7:00am near Wayland, Michigan. It appeared to be far too large for an average falling star, so I noticed it right away. It was moving at a very fast pace and had vibrant color. It was breaking apart as I viewed it. It disappeared behind some trees off of the highway.
I saw a blue fireball inthe night sky at approximately 843pm in Alvin Texas. It was fast and burned out quickly like a flare but Mo sound.
What meteors occur during August and September, that travel from South to North, and are a brilliant green with a sparkling orange trail that lingers for a few moments after the meteor burns out? I have been hearing of several sightings of these lately, and was wondering what they were called, and if they are peaking right now.
Charles and All,
There are numerous minor showers active now but a great majority of fireballs are simply random events, not associated with any known meteor shower. If I had to pick one current shower that is associated with fireballs, it would be the Southern Taurids. This shower is currently located in the constellation of Pisces and reaches the meridian near 2am local daylight time. At this time Pisces lies due south roughly half-way up in the sky so meteors could also travel downward as well as toward the north.
I hope this helps!
Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society
Thanks Robert, that is probably what I have been seeing and hearing about. I did witness one in August some years ago that was due South of my location ( central Arkansas) and it travelled straight downward instead of Northward. Thanks again!
I saw a very slow moving fireball last night around 20:10 in Tucson. I was amazing. It was low in the North.
I live in Springfield, MO. About an hour ago I saw a strange light in the sky. It was much brighter than a star and eventually went away. Could this have been a meteor?
My family and I saw several very slow moving very large “fireballs” in the eastern sky just before and even after sunrise in Southwest Michigan on Friday, September 27th! They were much larger than the typical shooting star and I was surprised that even though it was light out, we could see them perfectly!
I saw a large meteor as well. I was looking south and it was traveling left to right. brightest ive ever seen. we were around a campfire, and people who had their backs to it said the trees behind me lit upi like a camera flash. we live just south of detroit
Saw the same thing in Beverly Hills, MI. Heading south, it was very bright blue & very large. It went east to west ay 11:30 pm, Sept 28th.
I saw a fireball in central Indiana at 8:10 pm
Witnessed a fireball that was bright blue in color. It was traveling in an east to west direction and was in the southern sky from Cleveland, Ohio. Havent heard of anyone else reporting it other than the other witnesses at a bonfire we were having. any other reports on this?
around 1130 pm my cousin and i saw a huge blue-ish light coming towards us then suddenly swerved right towards the woods and then disappeared . no noise . but it left one heck of a vapor trail that was visible and bright. the incident itself was so bright and by no means slow . but when it disappeared it was instant.
sept 27 2013
Sept 27th at about 11:30pm est there was a blue streak heading south toward ohio I watched it for about 3-5 seconds before it disappeared I assumed it was a firework till I realize how fast it was moving and the size of it was huge and their was no noise from it ( this was in Adrian mi)
We saw this blue streak also around 11:30 p.m. We continued to watch until almost one – saw many small white streaks but none like this one.
We were sitting out at a campfire and at around 11:30 pm on Sept. 27th we saw a huge light that looked like it was coming towards us then it went further west and there was as huge trail left just above us that disappeared. No noise with it, but it was very bright.
Forgot to say that we are in central Ohio area between Zanesville and Columbus.
Hi Ester!
I saw this too. Happened to be out with my dog. This is way bigger than any shooting star I ever saw. ( kind of scared me, I have to admit)
http://youtu.be/tOQ8DMCQ_ig
Here is a link on Youtube to it.
Me, my sister, and my boyfriend were swimming in our pool last night when we watched the meteor happen! We could even hear crackling like fire crackers afterwards. Was super cool! Saw this from Hemet, CA.
I saw a fireball in the southern ski in michigan around 11:20 pm on September 27th . It was blue and green. Wondering if anyone else saw this one.
I live in NH and I saw a meteor on the 27th too late at night but it was Orange!
ME MY BROTHER N LAW AND MY SISTER ALONG WITH OUR BOYS SAW A BUNCH OF STARS BUNDLED TOGETHER HERE IN INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA AND THEY WERE MOVING VERY FAST ACCROSS THE SKY AND ONE IN THE MIDDLE BLINKED VERRY BRIGHTLY ON AND OFF AND THIS WAS ON SEPT 28TH 2013 AROUND 8:45 IM SO SHOCKED IT DID NOT HIT THE NEWS
Search edmonton sun meteorite september 21.
The result will include awebcam from RCMP police dashcam.
Unbelievable. Northern Alberta Canada location.
Duane
It was about ten to nine was least 10 seconds long the longest tail ever seen is bright and beautiful!!
Sitting right off of Lake Michigan it went for my right to my left was very brilliant in color white tail.. It was Amazing!is about 850 900 what I thought on Sunday evening and i am in South East WI..⭐ it was the first biggest one that ever seen that lasted that long!