American Meteor Society
During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Tuesday March 15th. On that date the moon will be located 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near 0100 as seen from most locations in mid-northern latitudes. This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set before midnight, allowing perfect viewing conditions to exist during the morning hours. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 2 for observers located in the northern hemisphere and 3 for observers located south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 8 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 14 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S). Evening rates are reduced during this period 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 March 12/13. 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 Inflatable Boat. 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.
Radiant Positions at 7pm Local Standard Time
Radiant Positions at Midnight Local Standard Time
Radiant Positions at 5am Local Standard Time
These sources of meteoric activity are expected to be active this week.
The center of the large Anthelion (ANT) radiant is currently located at 12:20 (185) -03. This position lies in western Virgo, only 2 degrees south of the 4th magnitude star known as Zaniah (Eta Virginis). Due to the large size of this radiant, Anthelion activity may also appear from the nearby constellations of Corvus, Crater, Coma Berenices, and Leo as well as Virgo. This radiant is best placed near 0100 local standard time (LST), when it lies on the meridian and is located highest in the sky. Rates at this time should be near 3 per hour no matter your location. With an entry velocity of 30 km/sec., the average Anthelion meteor would be of slow velocity.
The Xi Herculids (XHE) were discovered by Sirko Molau using data from the IMO video network. These meteors are active from March 10-15 with maximum activity occurring on the 12th. The position at maximum lies at 17:04 (256) +49. This position is located in extreme northern Hercules, 4 degrees southwest of the 3rd magnitude star known as Rastaban (Beta Draconis). This radiant is best placed during the last hour before dawn when it lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. Rates, even at maximum, will most likely be less than 1 per hour no matter your location. With an entry velocity of 35 km/sec., the average meteor from this source would be of medium-slow velocity.
As seen from the mid-northern hemisphere (45N) one would expect to see approximately 5 sporadic meteors per hour during the last hour before dawn as seen from rural observing sites. Evening rates would be near 1 per hour. As seen from the tropical southern latitudes (25S), morning rates would be near 11 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. Evening rates are reduced during this period due to moonlight.
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.
| SHOWER | DATE OF MAXIMUM ACTIVITY | CELESTIAL POSITION | ENTRY VELOCITY | CULMINATION | HOURLY RATE | CLASS |
| RA (RA in Deg.) DEC | Km/Sec | Local Standard Time | North-South | |||
| Anthelions (ANT) | – | 12:20 (185) -03 | 30 | 01:00 | 3 – 3 | II |
| Xi Herculids (XHE) | Mar 12 | 17:04 (256) +49 | 35 | 06:00 | <1 – <1 | IV |
