Night Sky Observation: Meteor Showers
Plan to be outside ready to observe at least a half hour before the expected peak!!!
Find NAMN 2004 Meteor Shower Calendar and other information at the North American Meteor Network:
Friday, Nov. 19, 2004, 1:42 AM EST - the Leonids
The 2004 Leonid Meteor Shower
Perhaps only 10 per hour this year.
Observing the Leonids - tips for viewing and photos of radiant
Sunday, December 12,2004 ~9 PM EST - the Geminids
50-70 meteors/hour are possible. On the evening of Monday, the 13th, rates should still be near their maximum value. This year's Geminids rival the Perseids as a show not to be missed; the Moon is a thin waxing crescent and won't interfere with the prime viewing hours.
Observing the Geminids - tips for viewing and photos of radiant
Meteor vocabulary and observing tips:
Shooting Stars: Tips and Terms
Pre-observation tasks:
1. What is the cause of the meteor shower you are observing?
2. How does the meteor shower get its name?
3. Go to Your Sky - http://www.fourmilab.to/yoursky/
Under “Sky Map” enter your latitude and longitude (44o north latitude and 70o west longitude for Lewiston, ME). Make a star map for the peak date and time of the meteor shower you are observing (add 5 hours to EST to get Universal Time). To make the chart simpler, click only “ Moon and planets “, “Constellations: Outlines & Names”, “Stars: Show stars brighter than magnitude 4.5, Names for magnitude 2.0”. Print the map in any color you wish.
a) What is the radiant of a meteor shower? Where should you look (altitude and azimuth) to see it?
b) What phase will the moon be in during the meteor shower?
c) What planets might you be able to see during the meteor shower?