Meteor Activity Outlook for October 10-16, 2015

A noctilucent cloud and a bright Meteor caught over the Black Point lighthouse (Wales) – June 7th 2015 © Kris Williams

Radiant Positions at 9pm Local Daylight Time

Radiant Positions at 1am Local Daylight Time

Radiant Positions at 5am Local Daylight Time

During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Monday October 12th. On that date the moon will be located near the sun and will not be visible at night. Late in the week the waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but will not interfere with meteor observing. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 4 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 3 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S). For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 20 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 14 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S). 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 October 10/11. 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.

These sources of meteoric activity are expected to be active this week.

The Gamma Piscids (GPS) were first discovered by A. K. Terentjeva in a study of fireball sources. This is a weak shower active from October 14 through the 21st with maximum activity occurring on the 17th. At maximum the radiant is located at 01:10 (017) +17. This position lies in central Pisces, 5 degrees northwest of the faint star known as Eta Piscium. Rates of less than 1 per hour are expected, even at maximum. With an entry velocity of 21 km/sec., the average Gamma Piscid meteor would be of slow velocity.

The Southern Taurids (STA) are currently active from a radiant located at 02:12 (033) +09. This position lies in extreme northwest Cetus, close to the faint star known as Xi2 Ceti. These meteors may be seen all night long but the radiant is best placed near 0200 LDT when it lies on the meridian and is located highest in the sky. Rates at this time should be near 3 per hour regardless of your location. With an entry velocity of 29 km/sec., the average Southern Taurid meteor would be of slow velocity.

The Orionids (ORI) are active from a radiant at 05:52 (088) +15, which places it in northeastern Orion, 8 degrees north of the orange 1st magnitude star known as Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis). This area of the sky is best placed during the last hour before dawn, when it lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. Rates this week would be near 3 per hour no matter your location. With an entry velocity of 67 km/sec., most activity from this radiant would be of swift speed.

The Epsilon Geminids (EGE) are active from a radiant located at 06:20 (095) +27, which places it in western Gemini, 5 degrees north of the 3rd magnitude star known as Tejat Posterior (Mu Geminorum). This area of the sky is best placed in the sky during the last hour before dawn, when it lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. Current rates should be near 1 per hour as seen from the northern hemisphere and less than 1 when view south of the equator. With an entry velocity of 70 km/sec., most activity from this radiant would be of swift speed.

The Psi Aurigids (PSA) were discovered among the radiants found by the IMO network of video cameras. This weak shower is active from October 9-16, which maximum activity occurring on the 13th. At maximum the radiant is located near 07:20 (110) +43. This position lies in a remote area of eastern Auriga, 10 degrees northwest of the 2nd magnitude star known as  Castor (Alpha Geminorum). This area of the sky is best placed in the sky during the last hour before dawn, when it lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. Current rates should be less than 1 per hour no matter your location. With an entry velocity of 68 km/sec., most activity from this radiant would be of swift speed.

The Tau Cancrids (TCA) are active from October 9-25, with maximum activity occurring near the 17th. This shower was discovered by Peter Jenniskens and verified by IMO video data. The radiant currently located at 08:32 (128) +29. This position lies in northern Cancer, close to the 4th magnitude star known as Iota Cancri. This area of the sky is best placed in the sky during the last hour before dawn, when it lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. Current rates should be near 1 per hour as seen from the northern hemisphere and less than 1 as seen from south of the equator. With an entry velocity of 69 km/sec., most activity from this radiant would be of swift speed.

The October Ursae Majorids (OCU) were  first detected by a group of Japanese observers in 2006. This radiant is active from October 14-18, with maximum activity occurring on the 15th. At maximum the radiant is located at 09:36 (144) +64. This position lies in western Ursa Major, near the faint star 23 Ursae Majoris. This area of the sky is best placed during the last hour before morning twilight, when it lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. At maximum activity rates would most likely be 1 per hour as seen from the northern hemisphere and less than 1 as seen from south of the equator. Due to the high northern location of this radiant, these meteors are not well seen from the southern hemisphere. With an entry velocity of 52km/sec., most activity from this radiant would be medium-swift.

As seen from the mid-northern hemisphere (45N) one would expect to see approximately 10 sporadic meteors per hour during the last hour before dawn as seen from rural observing sites. Evening rates would be near 3 per hour. As seen from the tropical southern latitudes (25S) morning rates would be near 7 per hour as seen from rural observing sites and 2 per hour during the evening hours. Locations between these two extremes would see activity between the listed figures.

The list below offers the information from above in tabular form. Rates and positions are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning except where noted in the shower descriptions.

Tags: Epsilon Geminids Gamma Piscids Meteors October Meteor Activity October Meteor Showers October Ursa Majorids Orionids Psi Aurigids Southern Taurids Tau Cancrids

Robert Lunsford

Bob has been interested in the stars as far back as he can recall His first experience with meteors was a biggie, the 1966 Leonid shower. In 1980, a major awaking occurred. He received a sample copy of Meteor News. He was amazed to learn there was a group actually devoted strictly to meteor observing! He joined the group also started to view some of the minor showers list among the pages of Meteor News. Lastly, he was contracted by Springer Publishing in 2007 to write a book on observing meteors. The book is now available and hopefully will be a useful guide to all interested in the enjoyable field of meteor observing.