2008 Quadrantid Meteor Shower; best of the year so far :)

MeteorWayne · Dec 29, 2007

1. Quadrantids: Best Shower of the Year So Farâ€¦ The Quadrantids (QUA) are likely the highest rate shower currently active, but are in need of more observations. This is due to the short peak of activity, January weather, and cold temperatures in the winter Northern Hemisphere reducing the pool of observers. The IMO gives the activity period from January 1-5, however recent IMO video observations have suggested an extended period of Dec 31 to January 12th, so I give early and late positions below to allow observers to track the shower throughout that time. It appears there is a wide background shower of faint meteors (r~3.2, ZHR~7), peaking about a day earlier than the superimposed bright meteors (r~2.1) that we see on January 4th. This yearâ€™s peak is expected at 0640 UT January 4th, which is 1:40 AM EST. For the PST zone thatâ€™s 10:40 PM on January 3rd. That means that the ZHR would exceed 1 a minute from about 0230-1045 UT, based on a peak ZHR of 120 per hour. The moon is only 4 days from New, so should not hinder observations at all. While the radiant in Bootes, near the junction with Hercules and Draco (where the defunct constellation Quadrans Muralis used to reside) is circumpolar from 40 degrees North Latitude, the radiant doesnâ€™t rise above 30 degrees until after 2 AM. This means that the US East coast is one of the better locations to see the shower this year with highest rates from midnight until dawn. For the west coast rates will be falling as the radiant is rising. The Quadrantids are medium fast meteors with a geocentric speed of 41 km/sec. The parent object of this shower had long been assumed to be comet 96P/Macholz, but recent investigations have shown it to be a degassed comet body, asteroid 2003 EH1, discovered during the LONEOS search program on March 6th, 2003. It is possible this object is the lost comet C/1490 Y1. Meteor Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

brellis · Dec 30, 2007

NASA to fly over Arctic to observe the meteor shower Should be a nice view from Santa's pad! <img src="/images/icons/cool.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better. </div>

3488 · Dec 30, 2007

Yes, that will be really interesting like the Aurigids @ 47,000 feet. Will interesting to compare both, with spectrometry (at that altitude the air is so thin, that a clean spectrum is possible) & to see what similarities / differences there are between the Aurigids & the Quadrantids. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Dec 30, 2007

Hi MeteorWayne, I hope you get to have a good viewing, of the Quadrantids. We are expecting heavy snow over the peak period, so I expect we will see nothing. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MeteorWayne · Dec 31, 2007

The good news, the forecast is clear here for both Wenesday and Thursday night. The bad news: Low temperature around 10 F (-13C) and "breezy" That will be a challenge!! MW <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

3488 · Dec 31, 2007

That will be some windchill, if only a light breeze. At least you will get a good view. Here it is expected to be overcast with heavy snow, both nights covering the peak, with overcast nights leading up. Hvae you thought of trying to be involved in one of these high altitude Meteor observing aircraft? I could see you in that role. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

deapfreeze · Dec 31, 2007

Hi MW: I hope to get out to see this. What time would be the best to sit out and freeze in the cold for this one? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> William ( deapfreeze ) Hooperhttp://deapfreeze-amateur-astronomy.tk/ </div>

thebigcat · Jan 1, 2008

I hope we get clear skies then. It was raining heavily for the Orionid and there's too much stuff in the skies in August to really enjoy the Perseid. Water I mean. Face it, Seattle just isn't stargazer territory. <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Jan 1, 2008

The short answer is midnight to dawn; if the 0640 UT peak time is correct. Peter Jenniskens has also predicted 0200 UT as another possible peak time, which would mean the US would miss the peak. Be sure to bundle up with twice as many layers as you think you need. I will also be using my battery powered socks and battery powered gloves <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Jan 1, 2008

The IMO has an up to the minute, on-the-fly activity graph here . Note this is raw data, not QC'd Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Jan 3, 2008

Bump, since this shower peak will occur about 10 hours from now, if the prediction is correct. I saw 7 Quadrantids in 2.45 hours this past morning while freezing my behind off. There were 24 total meteors in that time. MW <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

adrenalynn · Jan 3, 2008

Here's what Dr. Albers sent out to his list today: Much of the West Coast of the US will be having bad weather tonight, so chances of observing the Quadrantid meteor shower from the ground here are not good. However, much of the rest of the country is predicted to have clear skies, so if you know someone who might be interested, please let them know. Best chances to see meteors are after midnight local time as the radiant (where the meteors appear to come from) rises in the Northeast then. Predictions for the peak time are very uncertain (anywhere from 2UT to 8UT) but it's expected to last for a few hours, so anytime from then until dawn would be a good time to observe. 2UT = 6PM PST, 9PM EST. 8UT = midnight PST, 3 AM EST. It's best not to look right at the radiant (NE) as meteors there are shorter and harder to see. Look (or take images) a bit to the left (NNW) or right (SE). We installed and tested the instruments on the aircraft yesterday. Final prep and then packing everything up for takeoff is today and we'll be departing around 4PM. http://quadrantid.seti.org/ <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> .bipartisan (bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən) [Adj.] Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.IMPEACH OBAMA! </div>

adrenalynn · Jan 3, 2008

I'm just south of you as I write this, BigCat. I'm on business in Vancouver and Ridgefield, WA today/tonight, and in Salem tomorrow, back home in CA the day after... Raining and COLD here. How it can be this cold and not be snowing is testiment to just how tough you Washingtonians are... <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> .bipartisan (bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən) [Adj.] Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.IMPEACH OBAMA! </div>

MeteorWayne · Jan 3, 2008

I wish them the best of luck. They'll be a hell of a lot warmer in the aircraft than I will be on the ground. Low tonight is supposed to be near 10F, -12 C. But at least the wind should be very light. I had to cut my observing session short this morning when the wind kicked up to 15-20 mph with a temperature of 14 degrees. I admit it, I'm an American wimp. Pierre (from the GWN) decided he would save his efforts for tonight, since last night in Ottawa it was -25C (-13F), snow covered and windy. He's driving here to NJ in search of clear skies tonight. He did it once before for the Leonid Fireball year. I hope the skies reward his 8 hour drive! MW <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

3488 · Jan 3, 2008

UI do not have a chance of seeing anything: <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> Completely clouded out, snowed a bit earlier, but is getting a little warmer, with more cloud forecasted <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> . Hopefully MeteorWayne, you get a good viewing. Sounded pretty good what you saw this morning. That is a bit too damned cold, even though I live a good 10 dgrees further north (but we do have the Gulf Stream). Looking forward to the Meteor aircraft observations. Should get some good science from those & compare directly to the September Aurigids. Hope you get some good viewing in MeteorWayne. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jan 3, 2008

Hi Adrenalynn, You'll be surprised @ how cold it can feel when its raining but not snowing. Earlier we had 1 C / 33 F & snow turned to light rain. That felt bitter, despite it not really being that cold. <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /> Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

votefornimitz · Jan 3, 2008

Anyone have estimated peak rates they want to share? I was out for about an hour and a half, and saw 3 of them.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> In the event of a full scale nuclear war or NEO impact event, there are two categories of underground shelters available to the public, distinguished by depth underground: bunkers and graves... </div>

MeteorWayne · Jan 4, 2008

Depending on where you are, 20-80 per hour early this morning. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

adrenalynn · Jan 4, 2008

Hi Andrew, Nod, agreed, nasty... We're starting to see some flurries here. Very light, but I'm noticing them under the flood-lights outside my room. Personally, I can always "bundle-up" for a celestial event. Never too cold to get that one perfect exposure... <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> .bipartisan (bī-pär'tĭ-zən, -sən) [Adj.] Maintaining the ability to blame republications when your stimulus plan proves to be a devastating failure.IMPEACH OBAMA! </div>

votefornimitz · Jan 4, 2008

Hmmm, the Flux estimator you linked us to for the Geminids is giving my area less than 10 an hour... Thats promising <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" />.... Oh well, mom won't let me out until she's up around 5 anyway, and having already seen 3 I'll survive... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> In the event of a full scale nuclear war or NEO impact event, there are two categories of underground shelters available to the public, distinguished by depth underground: bunkers and graves... </div>

MeteorWayne · Jan 4, 2008

But it wasn't the Geminids...it was the Quadrantids. DId you get the right date? Jan 3-4? Where are you located, IIRC, you're right in my area. The fluximator said up to 80 an hour for us in NJ, rates probably would have been near that if the clouds hadn't wiped out the 3 hours after the peak. I haven't transcribed my tape yet, but probably had 20-30 between 5 and 6 AM; Pierre, with his younger eyes was in the 30-45 an hour range. Lots of bright ones, including a few fireball class. All in all a good show; too bad about the clouds. Oh well, K sera <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

aphh · Jan 4, 2008

Conditions were excellent in southern Finland, but I think I missed the peak. I was out on 2 separate occasions, at about 3 am local time there was some meteor activity, yellow rapid and short-lived meteors in pretty tight sector of the sky, about 10 flashes in 45 minutes. Because it didn't seem to increase I headed back inside (-3 Centigrade). Then in the morning at 6.30 am local time I decided to have another look and saw about 10 in 30 minutes, again short-lived yellow meteors in the exact same sector (the sector had moved, ofcourse). But after 30 minutes it seemed to stop altogether and I didn't see one meteor anymore in about 10 - 15 minutes.

MeteorWayne · Jan 4, 2008

What is your offset from UT/GMT? +1 Hour? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

votefornimitz · Jan 4, 2008

Well, the Flux estimator was actually for the Leonids, but it had a drop down button to switch to other showers... And I'm down if Florida, unfortunately... I'd love to be in NJ though.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> In the event of a full scale nuclear war or NEO impact event, there are two categories of underground shelters available to the public, distinguished by depth underground: bunkers and graves... </div>

aphh · Jan 4, 2008

It's +2 Hours.

2008 Quadrantid Meteor Shower; best of the year so far :)

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