Meteor Activity Outlook for February 25-March 2, 2012

As seen from the northern hemisphere, March is the slowest month for meteor
activity. No major annual showers are active and only two very weak minor
showers produce activity this month. The sporadic rates are also near their
annual minimum so there is not much to look forward to this month except for the
evening fireballs that seem to peak this time of year from the northern
hemisphere. This could be due to the fact the Antiapex radiant lies highest
above the horizon this time of year during the evening hours. From the southern
hemisphere, activity from the Centaurid complex begins to wane with only the
weak activity visible from Norma and perhaps others areas nearby. At least
southern sporadic rates are still strong to make the late summer viewing a bit
more pleasurable.

During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Thursday March
1st. At that time the moon will be located ninety degrees east of the sun and
will set near 0100 local standard time (LST) from mid-northern latitudes. This
weekend the waxing crescent moon will set during the late evening hours and will
not interfere with meteor observations during the more active morning hours. The
estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is near three for
observers in the northern hemisphere and five for those south of the equator.
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near six as
seen from mid-northern latitudes and fifteen from mid-southern latitudes. 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 (the area of the sky where meteors appear to shoot from) positions
and rates listed below are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning February
25/26. 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.

The following showers are expected to be active this week:

The large Antihelion (ANT) radiant is currently located at 11:20 (170) +03. This
position in southeastern Leo is very easy to find as the brilliant planet Mars
currently lies only five degrees to the north. Due to the large size of this
radiant, Antihelion activity may also appear from Crater, Sextans, southwestern
Coma Berenicids, and western Virgo as well as Leo. 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 one per hour no matter
your location. With an entry velocity of 30 km/sec., the average Antihelion
meteor would be of slow velocity.

The Gamma Normids (GNO) is a weak shower best seen from the southern hemisphere.
This shower is only visible south of forty degrees north latitude. The further
one is located south (down to 50S) the better the radiant is situated in the
sky. Expected rates from the southern hemisphere is currently less than one per
hour, even with the radiant located high in the sky. The current radiant
position lies at 15:36 (234) -53. This position lies in western Norma, five
degrees east of the third magnitude star Zeta Lupi. The radiant is best placed
during the last dark hour before dawn, when it lies highest above the horizon in
a dark sky. At 56km/sec. the Gamma Normids would produce mostly swift meteors.

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

The table below presents a condensed version of the expected activity this week.
Rates and positions are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning.