Meteor Activity Outlook for March 15-21, 2014

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Radiant Positions at 9pm LDT

Radiant Positions at 9pm Local Daylight Time

Radiant Positions at 1am Local Daylight Time

Radiant Positions at 1am Local Daylight Time

Radiant Positions at 5am Local Daylight Time

Radiant Positions at 5am Local Daylight Time

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Sunday March 16th. At this time the moon will lie opposite the sun and will be above the horizon all night long. As the week progresses the moon will not rise until the late evening hours, allowing a little time to view under dark conditions. Unfortunately this is the slowest time of night to try and view meteor activity. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 2 for observers situated at mid-northern latitudes and 3 for observers viewing from the southern tropics (latitude 25 S.). For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 4 for observers situated at mid-northern latitudes and 6 for observers viewing from the southern tropics. 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. Estimates are reduced this week due to interfering moonlight. 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 March 15/16. 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 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. Detailed descriptions of each source will continue next week when the moonlight situation becomes more favorable.

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
Anthelions (ANT) 12:32 (188) -04 29 02:00 1 – 1 II
Gamma Normids (GNO) Mar 14 16:04 (241) -50 56 05:00 <1 – <1 II
Zeta Serpentids (ZSE) Mar 21 17:20 (260) +00 69 06:00 <1 – <1 IV

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2 comments

  • Malcolm 11 years ago

    I saw what appeared to be a shooting star march 21 at about 10:20-10:30 pm. I was looking at Orion and it shot across the sky extremely fast going across Orion underneath the belt going roughly the direction he is pointing his bow. I have seen shooting stars before but this one was different. It seemed to be brighter than most the stars in the sky when it happened and went across a larger portion of sky than I have ever seen before. Meteor maybe? Anyone else seen something like this?

    Reply to Malcolm

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