August Perseids Update & Meteor Shower Prospects for October
September 2002 :
Note: This article may contain outdated information
This article was published in the September 2002 issue of The Skyscraper and likely contains some information that was pertinent only for that month. It is being provided here for historical reference only.
For once in who knows how long, the skies were clear for the August Perseid meteor shower! Now only if the shower itself could have cooperated!! The usually reliable Perseid meteor shower fell well below expectations this year. And it wasn't just here in southern New England. All the data I have seen to date indicates the shower only produced about half of the normal peak rate of 60 meteors per hour.
During a two-hour period on Tuesday the 13th of August, from 2:15 to 4:15 am, I observed 32 Perseids from the dark skies of Burrillville. Other Skyscraper members reported similar observations from throughout the state. Thus far I have seen no explanation for the diminished activity, although last year's numbers were equally low. I hope this reduction isn't a new trend for the Perseids. Of the ones I did observe, only a small percent were very memorable for their brightness and duration. Better luck next year I hope.
Normally I would now turn my attention to the fourth best meteor shower of the year, the Orionids of October. Unfortunately they peak this year on the night of October 20-21. With the full Hunter's Moon occurring at 3:21 am on the 21st, only the brightest of the meteors will be seen.
You might want to try observing the Draconid meteor shower on the night of October 8-9. A waxing crescent Moon will not pose any problems with observing, which is a good thing, as one might see only 10 meteors or less per hour. The Draconids have surprised observers in the past, so be diligent and you might be surprised as well.
The area of sky from where the meteors seem to radiate will be high in the northern sky during early evening, Face north and you'll see Ursa Major, the Big Dipper. Draco stretches between Ursa Major and Polaris, the pole star (which is also the end star in Ursa Minor's (the Little Dipper's) handle, and climbs higher into the sky to the left of Polaris. It would be best to scan this entire region of sky for Draconids.
And last but not least, remember that on Sunday, October 27 at 2:00 am, most of the U.S. reverts back to E.S.T. (Eastern Standard Time). Don't forget the old saying: Spring ahead, Fall behind! Set your clocks back one hour before retiring on that Saturday night, or you'll be an hour early for everything first thing Sunday morning!!
