Meteor Showers of 2010

I always look forward to preparing this column on the meteor shower prospects for the upcoming year. Prior to conducting my research on these annual shooting star displays I usually have no clue as to what the basic observing conditions will be, such as Moon phase and time of peak activity. Only after I have consulted up to six sources of information can I report to you if the new year will be like that old Wide World of Sports opening: “the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.”

The “victory” would be like 2009 when both the Moon and weather did not spoil many of the major meteor showers. The “defeat” is the years in which either one of these conditions conspired to prevent us from meteor observing.

Unfortunately during 2010 the best of the shooting star displays will suffer somewhat from lunar interference. The only exceptions will be the April Lyrids and December Geminids, when the First Quarter Moon will set around midnight, and the August Perseids when a waxing crescent Moon will set within an hour of sunset. However, despite interfering moonlight for most of the others, I still encourage you to go out to see if you can observe a meteor or two during the less than favorable nights. Why? Because you never know when clouds are going to ruin any observing opportunity!

And for those of you who may be new to meteor watching, contrary to what some may believe, you do not require a telescope to observe meteors. Though you might get lucky and see one through binoculars or a telescope, the chances are astronomical since you would be pointing at one very small and specific area of the sky! All you need are clear skies and a good pair of eyes to scan the heavens for shooting stars.

We start out 2010 with so-so conditions for the Quadrantids meteor shower on January 2-3. A bright waning gibbous Moon (just 3 days past full – December 31) will certainly reduce the number of meteors one can observe during this shower’s peak from midnight until dawn. However, the radiant point for these very fast (25.5 miles per second), and often blue shooting stars is in the northern sky, near the end of the Big Dipper’s handle. Though low above the horizon early in the evening, the radiant will be at its highest elevation just before dawn.

To maximize your observing opportunity you should try to block the Moon’s direct light with a building while scanning from the north to a point directly overhead (zenith). Despite the Moon’s presence you should see the number of Quadrantids rise to their peak. They are also noted for blazing halfway across the sky. Clip and save the 2010 meteor shower prospects chart below and use it to plan your observing schedule for the coming year. I will highlight the specifics of each shower in my monthly columns throughout the year. Good luck with your meteor observing efforts.

Besides a few good meteor showers we will welcome the return of Mars (mid to late January) to our list of planets to observe. While Mars will get no closer than 61,721,726 miles from the Earth on January 27, 2010, the larger telescopes at the local observatories will be able to reveal some detail. And a couple of months later (late March, early April) we will be treated to a fine view of the sixth planet from the Sun, Saturn, and his now opening ring system (they were edge-on last September 4th). Viewing dates and times will vary by observatory due to local tree-lines and blocking buildings.

In addition, while there are four eclipses in 2010 (two solar and two lunar), we will only see the December 21, 2010 total lunar eclipse. Here in Southern New England the eclipse will be observed in its entirety, beginning at 12:28 am and ending at 6:06 am. Totality will last from 2:40 am until 3:54 am. I’ll provide further details closer to the event date.

While the winter months can be very cold in the unheated domes at Seagrave Observatory (http:/www.theskyscrapers.org) in North Scituate and Ladd Observatory (http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Physics/Ladd/) in Providence, these facilities do remain open year-round provided snow or ice does not force closures. Please check their respective websites for any cancellation notices before venturing out for a visit. Let’s hope 2010 provides more victories than defeats for all your observing adventures.

Happy New Year!