Meteor Activity Outlook for February 2-8, 2007

February meteor rates will be less than those
seen in January for observers located in the northern hemisphere. Only the weak
Delta Leonids are active this month. Combine this with falling sporadic rates and
it is often a struggle to go out into the cold. The southern hemisphere also
experiences a dip in sporadic rates but the activity from the Alpha Centaurids
more than makes up this difference. Observers south of the equator are encouraged
to take advantage of the warm nights and to view the meteor activity as often as
possible. There are many suspected radiants in the southern sky this time of year
which are in need of study. Only the Alpha Centaurids have been verified but
there may be other centers of activity awaiting discovery.

During this period the moon
reaches its full phase on Friday February 2. The sources of meteors listed
below are active during this period but will be difficult to observe this week.
If your sky is transparent and the limiting magnitude exceeds +5.0, then you
may be able to achieve some success. The estimated total hourly rates for
evening observers this week is near one for those in the Northern Hemisphere
and two for those located in the Southern Hemisphere. For morning observers the
estimated total hourly rates should be near four for those viewing in the
Northern Hemisphere and seven for those in the Southern Hemisphere. 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. Rates are reduced this week due to intense moonlight.

The radiant positions listed below are exact for Saturday
night/Sunday morning February 3/4. 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. Doing this 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 full descriptions of each active meteor shower will continue next week when
the moon becomes less of a nuisance to observers.