American Meteor Society
During this period the moon reaches it’s full phase on Monday November 14th. At this time the moon will be located opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long. This will be the worse time of the month to view meteor activity as the bright glare from the full moon will obscure all but the brighter meteors. 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 14 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 9 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 November 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. 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 8pm Local Standard Time
Radiant Positions at Midnight Local Standard Time
Radiant Positions at 4am Local Standard Time
These sources of meteoric activity are expected to be active this week.
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Detailed descriptions of each source will continue next week when the moon reaches its last quarter phase and is less of a hindrance to viewing meteor activity.
| 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 | |||
| Andromedids (AND) | Nov 08 | 01:36 (024) +32 | 19 | 22:00 | 1 – <1 | III |
| Northern Taurids (NTA) | Nov 11 | 03:56 (059) +23 | 27 | 00:00 | 3 – 2 | II |
| Southern Taurids (STA) | Oct 10 | 04:04 (061) +15 | 29 | 00:00 | 2 – 2 | II |
| November Orionids (NOO) | Nov 29 | 05:16 (079) +19 | 65 | 02:00 | <1 – <1 | II |
| alpha Monocerotids (AMO) | Nov 21 | 07:18 (109) +01 | 65 | 04:00 | <1 – <1 | III |
| Orionids (ORI) | Oct 22 | 07:32 (113) +17 | 67 | 04:00 | <1 – <1 | I |
| Leonids (LEO) | Nov 17 | 10:04 (151) +23 | 70 | 06:00 | 2 – 1 | III |
I saw one tonight around 9:20 PM EST right across the sky from NJ Parkway South Exit 87. It was remarkable! I have never seen something like this before. Looked like it was coming down in an angle. I immediately believed it was a falling Star but it was much bigger or closer. WOW…Thanks for the site.
Just saw one an hour ago. When it’s a shooting star you are excited. When it’s something else you get startled. I made a wish anyways:)
I’m a truck driver I was driving down I 40 east bound through mocksville NC around 10 pm when I seen a green light with a red flash of fire behind it tare through the sky like a rocket.
Great article Robert, well organized and very detailed info. Thank you
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I love the information I get from you people, otherwise I would be looking at the moon. Great for night vision
THANKS
STEVE
Saw one while driving south on rt206 in Hilsborough NJ at 8:55 pm. Short but beautiful and bright.
I have seen three major sightings of things in the sky in my lifetime so far. One was about 19 years ago maybe a few months added to the 19 years. It was a big round light green glowing ball shot across the sky around Grayling Michigan and I thought I saw it something I would never see again in my lifetime. 7 years ago I was headed up north from Flint Michigan and on the outskirts of Flint I saw an identical one that I saw in the Grayling Skies. After the first sighting of the big glowing green ball two weeks after that I was at the stop sign of the world that I used to live on and I saw a fireball coming out of the sky where you can actually see the Fire trail and this is only about 2 weeks after my first green glowing balls sightings. Where I live now I live out in the country of Pinconning Michigan and every now and then I hear an explosion that kind of sounds like dynamite going out somewhere. Still a little ways away and some are like they’re crossed my road at the neighbors and I look out the window to make sure your house didn’t explode. Two nights ago there was such a loud explosion then it told me right out of my recliner in my living room but I couldn’t see anything when I looked outside. Since I hear these explosions sound louder than others could it be that I am in a pack of exploding meteorites?
I meant to say could that mean that I’m in the path where meteorite showers run?
Approximately an hour ago in the Western sky over Anguilla I witnessed what I would label a fireball . Due to cloud cover it appeared like an illuminated snowball . Unforgettable !!
I just seen one in Winchester ky around 12:30am. It was as big as the full moon!! My mind is absolutely blown. I’ve seen meteors before but never ever that huge!!!! I feel so lucky right now!!
I just seen one in Winchester ky around 12:30am. It was as big as the full moon!! My mind is absolutely blown. I’ve seen meteors before but never ever that huge!!!! I feel so lucky right now!! It looked like a huge UFO or fireball.