Meteor Activity Outlook for October 10-16, 2009

Meteor activity in general increases in October
when compared to September. A major shower (the Orionids) is active most of the
month along with several minor showers. Both branches of the Taurids become more
active as the month progresses, providing slow, graceful meteors to the nighttime
scene. The Orionids are the big story of the month reaching maximum activity on
the 22nd. This display can be seen equally well from both hemispheres which
definitely helps out observers located in the sporadic-poor southern
hemisphere this time of year.

During this period the moon reaches its last
quarter phase on Sunday October 11th. At this time the moon rises near 0100 local
daylight time (LDT) and remains in the sky the remainder of the night. The
situation improves as the week progresses with the moon waning into a crescent
phase and rising later in the night with each passing morning. The estimated total
hourly rates for evening observers this week is near four as seen from the northern
hemisphere and two from the southern hemisphere. For morning observers the estimated
total hourly rates should be near fifteen from the northern hemisphere and ten as
seen from the southern hemisphere. 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 by moonlight.

The radiant positions and rates listed below are exact
for Saturday night/Sunday morning October 10/11. 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.

A recent study of video radiants by Sirko Molau has revealed a radiant in
Pisces active from October 7-11. Maximum activity occurs on the 9th from a
radiant located at 0:05 (001) +14. This position is located on the Pisces/Pegasus
border, three degrees southwest of the 3rd magnitude star Algenib (Gamma Pegasi).
The radiant is best placed near 0100 LDT, when it lies highest above the horizon.
Meteors from the October Epsilon Piscids (OPC) strike the atmosphere at only
19km/sec., which would produce slow moving meteors. Expected rates would be less
than one per hour, no matter your location.

The center of the large Southern Taurid (STA) radiant
lies at 02:10 (032) +09. This position lies on the Pisces/Cetus border, one degree
west of the fourth magnitude star Xi Ceti. Since the radiant is so large, any
meteor from eastern Pisces, northern Cetus, or southwestern Aries could be a
candidate for this shower. The radiant is best placed near the meridian at 0200
LDT, but activity may be seen all night long. Striking the atmosphere at 29 km/sec.,
the average Southern Taurid meteor travels slowly through the skies. Rates should
be near three per hour no matter your location.

A new radiant has been discovered in Aries which is active during this period. The
Sigma Arietids (SSA) are active from October 12-19, with maximum occurring
on the 19th. The current radiant position lies at 02:52 (043) +22, which lies in
eastern Aries, six degrees south of the faint star 41 Arietis. The radiant is best
placed near 0300 LDT, when it lies highest above the horizon. Meteors from the
Sigma Arietids strike the atmosphere at 45km/sec., which would produce meteors of
average velocity. Expected rates would be less than one per hour, no matter your
location.

Another new radiant has been discovered in Taurus which is active during this
period. The Zeta Taurids (ZTA) are active from October 12-17, with maximum
occurring on the 16th. The current radiant position lies at 05:06 (076) +15, which
lies on the Taurus/Orion border, six degrees east of the bright first magnitude
orange star Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri). The radiant is best placed near 0500 LDT,
when it lies highest above the horizon. Meteors from the Zeta Taurids strike
the atmosphere at 61km/sec., which would produce meteors of swift velocity.
Expected rates would be less than one per hour, no matter your location.

The Orionids (ORI) are now becoming more active from a radiant located at
05:50 (87) +15. This position lies on the Orion/Taurus border, seven degrees
north of the orange first magnitude star Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis). The
radiant rises near 2300 LDT and is best placed on the meridian near 0600.
With maximum activity predicted for October 22, current rates for all
locations would be near two to three per hour as seen after midnight. At
66km/sec., the average Orionid is swift.

Activity from Ursa Major this time of year has been known for several years now.
Recent studies by Sirko Molau has provided more precise data on this activity. The
October Ursa Majorids (OCU) are active from October 12-19, with maximum
occurring on the 15th. The current radiant position lies at 09:12 (138) +63, which
lies in western Ursa Major, two degrees west of the faint star 23 Ursae Majoris.
The radiant is best placed during the last dark hour before the start of morning
twilight, when it highest above the horizon in a dark sky. Meteors from the
October Ursa Majorids strike the atmosphere at 53km/sec., which would produce
meteors of medium-swift velocity. Expected rates would be less than one per hour,
no matter your location. This activity is not visible from the southern hemisphere
due to the high northerly declination of the radiant.

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

The table below presents a condensed version of the expected activity this week.
Rates and positions are exact for Saturday night/Sunday morning except for
showers of short duration, when the position on the night of maximum is listed.