astrobaja - 1-2-2012 at 09:12 AM
Hi all,
This year the east coast is favoured slightly and the moon will interfere somewhat, but it should still be worthwhile to get out and enjoy them.
Especially given how little light pollution exists in most of Baja! Heres some info on them:
The Quadrantids (QUA) or January Bootids are active from January 1st
through the 10th. A sharp maximum is predicted to occur near 0730
Universal Time on the 4th. This corresponds to 02:30 EST and 23:30
PST (January 3rd). This is good timing for viewers located in eastern
North America as the radiant will rising above the northeastern
horizon. It would even be better if the maximum were a bit later as
the radiant would be located higher in the sky, producing more
activity. Rates will depend on the exact time of maximum and whether
the moon is still above the horizon. Assuming the 0730 UT timing is
correct, the further one is located in North America, the better.
Eastern observers may be able to see 60-75 Quadrantids per hour. If
your skies are very clear and dark, allowing you to see faint meteors,
your rates could top 100 per hour. Observers located in the western
portions of North American will have lower rates but will also have
the opportunity to see Quadrantid "earthgrazers". Earthgrazers are
meteors that skim the upper portion of the atmosphere therefore
lasting much longer than normal and producing long trails in the sky.
These meteors can only be seen when the radiant lies close to the
horizon. As the radiant rises, the meteor paths will become shorter
with shorter durations. Observers in the northern hemisphere outside
of North America can expect to see a maximum of 25 Quadrantids per
hour between moon set and dawn. Observers south of the equator will
see little of this display as the radiant will have little chance to
clear the horizon before morning twilight interferes
elskel - 1-2-2012 at 09:45 AM
Saw a "Earthgrazer" last night fishing for lobster in so. cal. It was amazing how long it lasted and the trail behind it.
brian