Meteor Activity Outlook for March 14-20, 2009

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 first 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 Wednesday March 18th. At this time the moon lies 90 degrees west
of the sun and rises near 0100 local daylight time. This weekend the waning
gibbous moon will rise during the evening hours and will remain in the sky the
remainder of the night. The meteor activity is weak under dark skies this time of
year. The moonlight makes the situation even worse this week. The estimated total
hourly rates for evening observers this week is near one as seen from the northern
hemisphere and two for those situated south of the equator. For morning observers
the estimated total hourly rates should be near four for those located in the
mid-northern hemisphere (45 N) and five for those viewing from the mid-southern
hemisphere (45 S). Locations between these two extremes would see activity between
the listed figures. 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. Meteor rates are reduced during this
period due to lunar interference.

The radiant positions and rates listed below are exact
for Saturday night/Sunday morning March 15. 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 full descriptions of each active meteor shower will continue next week when
the moon becomes less of a nuisance to observers.

The table below presents a summary of the expected activity this week. Rates and
positions are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning but may be used all week.