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(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for December 8-14, 2000
The moon is full on Monday December 11. At this time it will be in the
sky all night long severely hampering any meteor observing attempts. On
Wednesday and Thursday the Geminid meteor shower will be at maximum
activity. Although a bright moon will be present during most of the
night, significant activity should still be seen by observers who enjoy
clear, transparent air. The positions listed below are exact for
Wednesday night/Thursday morning December 13/14. The positions do not
change greatly day to day so these positions may be used during this
entire period.
Antihelion 06:28/097 +23 Note: should be reported as "XOR"
by IMO observers.
Monocerotids 06:52/103 +08 " peak on December 8.
Puppid/Velids 08:36/129 -48 " peaked on December 7.
Sigma Hydrids 08:36/129 +01 " peak on December 11.
Zeta Puppids 09:20/140 -48 " Best seen south of
the equator.
Northern Apex 11:28/172 +18 " should be reported as "COM"
by IMO observers.
Southern Apex 11:28/172 -12
The Geminid meteor shower is often the most spectacular meteor display
of the year. It is also one of the few major annual displays that can be
seen during the evening hours. This year unfortunately the waning
gibbous moon will limit the show due to the intense moonlight. The only
nights worth watching will be December 12/13 and 13/14. The peak occurs
near 17:00 UT on the 13th. Observing strategies this year would include
watching for Geminid earth grazers before moonrise on the evening of the
13th or watching early in the morning while the radiant is located near
the zenith on the mornings of the 13th and 14th.
The Geminid radiant is located nearly opposite the sun this time of year
meaning that is rises as the sun sets and is in the sky the entire night
as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. This year there is a small
opportunity for viewing Geminid earth grazers in that window between the
end of evening twilight and moonrise on Wednesday evening December 13.
The radiant will rise approximately 75 minutes before moonrise allowing
your only dark sky view of this years shower. With the radiant so low
rates will certainly be less than 10 per hour but the shower members you
do see may be spectacular. Once the moon rises, low radiant altitude and
the intense moonlight will sharply reduce Geminid activity.
As the night progresses the radiant climbs higher into the sky until
near 0200 local time it reaches its highest point near the zenith for
northern mid latitude observers. The hours between 0100 and 0300 local
time should produce the highest Geminid activity. Under such adverse
conditions I would expect the Geminid rates to be near 25 per hour.
Observers must not look near the radiant as the moon will then also
be in your field of view. I would suggest looking halfway up in the sky
toward the direction with the best horizon. Best horizon meaning flat
without trees or intense light pollution. This would be a good practice
session for the upcoming Ursid and Quadrantid displays, both with occur
under favorable circumstances for North American observers.
Geminids can also be seen from the Southern Hemisphere. For instance
some observers in Australia will have the radiant roughly 20 degrees up
in the northern sky at the time of maximum activity. Too bad the moon
will also spoil their show! It may still be possible to see 10-15
Geminids per hour as long as one again faced away from the radiant to
avoid the moonlight. Also seeing earth grazers would be a slight
possibility on the evening of the 14th. The window of opportunity is
exceeding small, averaging only 15 minutes between the rise of the
radiant and moonrise.
Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
AMS Visual Program Coordinator
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