Meteor Activity Outlook for December 15-21, 2006

December is the last month of strong activity as
seen in the northern hemisphere. During the first half of the month minor showers
are active in the constellations of Taurus (Antihelions), Monoceros (Monocerotids),
Puppis (Puppid-Velids), Hydra (Sigma Hydrids), and Leo (Coma Berenicids).
Strong sporadic rates continue during the morning hours as long as the moon is
below the horizon. Rates increase significantly with the arrival of the Geminids
during the second week of the month. From the southern hemisphere, sporadic rates
are increasing in strength toward a peak in January. Meteors from the above minor
showers are also well seen from south of the equator. The Geminids also increase
the southern activity, but not nearly to the extent that is witnessed in the
northern hemisphere.

This week the moon reaches its new phase on
Wednesday December 20. At this time the moon will rise and set with the sun and
will not be visible in the night sky. This weekend the waning crescent moon will
no be a factor as it will be too skinny and rise too late to cause any problems
for observers. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week
is near four for those located north of the equator and three for observers south
of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be
near twenty-five for northern observers and eighteen for those located south of
the equator. These rates assume that you are watching from rural areas away from
all sources of light pollution. 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.

The radiant positions listed below are exact for Saturday
night/Sunday morning December 16/17. 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. This method 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 showers are expected to be active this week:

The Antihelion (ANT) radiant is now centered at 06:32 (098) +23. This area
of the sky lies in western Gemini, three degrees west of the third magnitude star
Epsilon Geminorum. This radiant is best placed near 0100 LST when it lies on the
meridian and is highest in the sky. Rates at this time should be near three per
hour as seen from the northern hemisphere and two per hour for observers located
south of the equator. With an entry velocity of 30 km/sec., the average Antihelion
meteor would be of medium-slow speed.

The Monocerotids (MON) are currently active from a radiant located at 07:00
(105) +08. This area of the sky is located in eastern Monoceros, ten degrees
northwest of the zero magnitude star Procyon (Alpha Canis Minoris). These meteors
are best seen near 0100 local standard time when the radiant lies highest above
the horizon. This shower is nearly over for 2006 so rates would now be less than
one per hour, no matter your location. At 42 km/sec. the Monocerotids produce
meteors of average velocity.

The Geminids (GEM) peaked on the night of December 13/14. Rates are now
near five per hour and the shower will cease past the weekend. The radiant is
located at 07:40 (115) +33. This area of the sky is located in northern Gemini,
just one degree northeast of the second magnitude star Castor (Alpha Geminorum).
These meteors are best seen near 0200 local standard time when the radiant lies
highest above the horizon. This shower is best suited for the Northern Hemisphere
but some activity can be seen south of the equator when the radiant culminates low
in the northern sky. At 35 km/sec. the Geminids produce meteors of average velocity.

The Coma Berenicids (COM) peak near December 20
with an average ZHR of five. The current location of this radiant is 11:40 (175)
+25. This area of the sky is located in a remote area of eastern Leo some ten
degrees northwest of the second magnitude star Denebola (Beta Leonis). This
radiant is probably responsible for the many reports of activity in Leo during
the month of December. These meteors are best seen near 0600 local standard time
when the radiant lies highest above the horizon. At 65 km/sec. the Coma Berenicids
will usually produce meteors of swift velocity.

Sirko Molau’s study of video radiants has revealed
activity during the period December 19-24, from an area in northern Virgo.
Maximum occurs on December 20 with the radiant located at 13:28 (202) +09. This
position lies five degrees southeast of the third magnitude star Vindemiatrix
(Epsilon Virginis). This radiant is best placed during the last dark hour
before dawn when it lies highest in a dark sky. It appears that three percent of
the total sporadic activity for the night is related to this radiant. At 62km/sec.,
the average meteor from this radiant would be swift.

The Ursids (URS) peak on December 23 with an
average ZHR of ten. Current rates would be less than one per hour. The location
of this radiant is 14:28 (217) +77. This area of the sky is located in southern
Ursae Minor, close to the orange second magnitude star Kochab (Beta Ursae Minoris).
These meteors are best seen during the last dark hour before dawn when the radiant
lies highest above the horizon. Due to the high northern declination (celestial
latitude), this shower is not visible to observers located south of the equator.
At 33 km/sec. the Ursids will usually produce meteors of medium to slow velocity.
To read more on viewing the Ursid shower visit the AMS website at:
http://www.amsmeteors.org/showers.html#ursids

Sporadic rates have reached the late year plateau
for observers located in the northern hemisphere. One would expect to see perhaps
fifteen random meteors during the last hour before dawn from rural observing sites.
During the first dark hour after the end of evening twilight, perhaps four random
meteors can be seen per hour. Sporadic rates increase as the night progresses so
rates seen near midnight would be near ten per hour. Sporadic rates seen from the
southern hemisphere have passed their annual minimum and are rising again. One
would expect to see approximately twelve random meteors per hour during the last hour
before dawn and three per hour during the first dark hour after the end of evening
twilight. Rates near midnight would be near eight per hour.

Clear Skies!