Jim Thomas
10-30-2005, 12:29 PM
Looking for the next thing to pop from the sky since the Orionids? Here's what to be on the lookout for, if you're into meteor scatter dxing.....
Northern Taurids
Activity duration: October 1 through November 25
Peak date: November 12
Average pings per hour: 5
Swarms (outbursts) possible: 40 per hour
Position in sky: 58 degrees
Antenna bearing: northeast to southwest
Best DX window: 0000 to 0500 local time
Meteor velocity: 27 km/s (average is 60-70 km/s, meaning the Northern Taurids are ideal for grazers <trains> which can last 1 to 2 minutes)
Notes:
Astronomer David Asher has indicated that increased Taurid fireball rates may result from a swarm of larger particles within the Taurid stream complex, and he suggested such swarm returns might happen in 1995 and 1998 most recently. In 1995, an impressive crop of bright Taurids occurred between late October to mid November, while in 1998, Taurid ZHRs reached levels comparable to the usual maximum rates in late October, together with an increased flux of brighter Taurids generally. This year (2005) brings the next potential October-November swarm return.
a-Monocerotids
Activity duration: November 15-25
Peak date: November 21
Average pings per hour: 5
Swarms (outbursts) possible: 400+ per hour
Position in sky: 117 degrees
Antenna bearing: southeast to northwest
Best DX window: 0400 to 1000 local time
Meteor velocity: 65 km/s
Notes:
Another late-year shower capable of producing surprises, the a-Monocerotids gave their most recent brief outburst in 1995 (the top visual rate of 420, lasted just five minutes; the entire outburst 30 minutes). Many observers across Europe witnessed it, and astronomers were able to completely update the known shower parameters as a result. Many VHF radio astronomers say the number of radio pings during that swarm were 'uncountable', sounding like total chaos. Whether this indicates the proposed ten-year periodicity with heightened rates in 1925, 1935, 1985 and 1995 is real or not, only this year <2005> (or other future decadal returns) may tell, so all VHF dxers should continue to monitor this source closely.
Here's looking up to your dx! :-)
Northern Taurids
Activity duration: October 1 through November 25
Peak date: November 12
Average pings per hour: 5
Swarms (outbursts) possible: 40 per hour
Position in sky: 58 degrees
Antenna bearing: northeast to southwest
Best DX window: 0000 to 0500 local time
Meteor velocity: 27 km/s (average is 60-70 km/s, meaning the Northern Taurids are ideal for grazers <trains> which can last 1 to 2 minutes)
Notes:
Astronomer David Asher has indicated that increased Taurid fireball rates may result from a swarm of larger particles within the Taurid stream complex, and he suggested such swarm returns might happen in 1995 and 1998 most recently. In 1995, an impressive crop of bright Taurids occurred between late October to mid November, while in 1998, Taurid ZHRs reached levels comparable to the usual maximum rates in late October, together with an increased flux of brighter Taurids generally. This year (2005) brings the next potential October-November swarm return.
a-Monocerotids
Activity duration: November 15-25
Peak date: November 21
Average pings per hour: 5
Swarms (outbursts) possible: 400+ per hour
Position in sky: 117 degrees
Antenna bearing: southeast to northwest
Best DX window: 0400 to 1000 local time
Meteor velocity: 65 km/s
Notes:
Another late-year shower capable of producing surprises, the a-Monocerotids gave their most recent brief outburst in 1995 (the top visual rate of 420, lasted just five minutes; the entire outburst 30 minutes). Many observers across Europe witnessed it, and astronomers were able to completely update the known shower parameters as a result. Many VHF radio astronomers say the number of radio pings during that swarm were 'uncountable', sounding like total chaos. Whether this indicates the proposed ten-year periodicity with heightened rates in 1925, 1935, 1985 and 1995 is real or not, only this year <2005> (or other future decadal returns) may tell, so all VHF dxers should continue to monitor this source closely.
Here's looking up to your dx! :-)