Meteor Activity Outlook for February 29-March 6, 2008

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 continue a slow decline as seen from the
mid-northern latitudes and mid-southern rates reach a fist half minimum. There
is not much to look forward to this month expect for the evening fireballs that
seem to peak this time of year from the northern hemisphere. This could be due to
the fact the antapex lies highest this time of year during the evening hours.

During this period the moon reaches its last
quarter phase on Friday February 29th. At this time the moon will be located ninety
degrees west of the sun and will rise near midnight local standard time. The moon
will remain in the morning sky the remainder of the night but successful meteor
observations can be undertaken if you manage to keep the moon out of your field
of view. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers this week is near
two no matter your location. For morning observers the estimated total hourly
rates should be near eight for those located in the mid-northern hemisphere (45 N)
and ten for those viewing from the mid-southern hemisphere (45 S). 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. Morning rates are reduced due to the moonlight.

The radiant positions and rates listed below are exact
for Saturday night/Sunday morning March 1/2. 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 Delta Leonids (DLE) reached maximum activity on February 25. Rates
are now falling and will be less than one at this time. The radiant is located
at 11:32 (173) +14. This area of the sky lies in eastern Leo, four degrees west of
the second magnitude star Denebola (Beta Leonis). This radiant is best placed near
0100 local standard time when it lies on the meridian and is highest in the sky.
With an entry velocity of 23 km/sec., the average Delta Leonid meteor would be of
medium-slow speed.

The wide Antihelion (ANT) radiant is now centered at 11:36 (174) +01. This
area of the sky lies on the Leo-Virgo border, three degrees west of the fourth
magnitude star Beta Virginis. This radiant is best placed near 0100 local standard
time when it lies on the meridian and is highest in the sky. Actually any meteor
from western Virgo, northern Crater, or southeastern Leo could be a candidate for
this shower. Rates at this time should be near two per hour as seen from the
northern hemisphere and one 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 Gamma Normids (GNO) are active from a radiant located at 15:08 (227)
-50. This area of the sky is located in southeastern Lupus, three degrees north
of the third magnitude star Zeta Lupi. Current rates would be less than one shower
member per hour. These meteors are best seen between 0400 and 0500 local standard
time, when the radiant lies highest above the horizon. This shower is best seen
from the southern hemisphere, where the radiant lies high in the sky at dawn.
Meteors from this shower are not visible north of 40 degrees north latitude and
also poorly seen in the most of the northern hemisphere. An occasional member may
be seen from the northern tropics. At 56 km/sec. the Gamma Normids will usually
produce meteors of swift velocity.

Sporadic rates are now slowly falling no matter your location. One would
expect to see approximately six random meteors during the last hour before dawn
from rural observing sites in the northern hemisphere and nine from the southern
hemisphere. During the first dark hour after the end of evening twilight, perhaps
two random meteors can be seen per hour, no matter your location. Moonlight
reduces rates seen during the morning hours.

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