(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for May 12-18, 2006

[Robert Lunsford]

With the arrival of May, observers in the tropical areas of the world are
enjoying good views of the Eta Aquarids during the morning hours. The
Antihelion radiant moves from eastern Libra, through northern Scorpius and
into southern Ophiuchus during May. These areas of the sky are south of the
celestial equator, favoring observers watching from south of the equator.
Northern observers still suffer with low sporadic rates, especially during
the evening hours. This situation will not improve until mid-July, when
sporadic rates dramatically rise for northern observers. The overall meteor
activity is much like April, possibly slightly better in the south and
slightly worse in the north. The most favorable time to view meteor activity
this month would be during the first week of the month, when the Eta
Aquarids are near maximum activity.

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Saturday May 13. This
weekend and for the remainder of this period, the moon will be present in
the sky most of the night, limiting the meteor activity to be seen. The
sources of meteors listed below are active during this period but will be
difficult to observe. If your sky is transparent and the limiting magnitude
exceeds +5.0, then you may be able to achieve some success at observing
during this period. The estimated total hourly rates for evening observers
this week is near one for those in the Northern Hemisphere and two for those
located in the Southern Hemisphere. For morning observers the estimated
total hourly rates should be near four for those located in the Northern
Hemisphere and six for those in the Southern Hemisphere. 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. Rates are reduced this week due to
intense moonlight.

The full descriptions will continue next week when the moon reaches its last
quarter phase and is not such a nuisance to observers.

Antihelion (ANT) 16:24 (246) -21
Northern Hemisphere  1 - Southern Hemisphere 2

Eta Lyrids (ELY) 19:28 (292) +44
Northern Hemisphere  >1 - Southern Hemisphere 0

Eta Aquarids (ETA) 23:00 (345) +02
Northern Hemisphere  1 - Southern Hemisphere 2

*For a detailed explanation on the different classes of meteor showers and
other astronomical terms, please visit:
http://www.amsmeteors.org/showers.html#X2006

Clear Skies!
Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society