Ursid Meteor Shower
December 2009 :
Note: This article may contain outdated information
This article was published in the December 2009 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 It is being provided here for historical reference only.
You’re quite likely familiar with the Geminid meteor shower. One of the year’s most prolific, with hourly rates often exceeding 100 meteors, the Geminids reach peak activity on the evening of December 13-14. With the moon close to new phase, the 2009 Geminid display should be spectacular.
Less known is a meteor shower that occurs about a week later–the Ursids. Discovered a little over a century ago, the Ursids are associated with the comet P8/Tuttle. There are two reasons why this meteor shower is so little observed. For one thing, it’s rather sparse. Although there have been reports of short outbursts of 100 Ursids per hour, the hourly rate rarely reaches double figures. Couple that with the fact that the Ursids climax near the peak of the Holiday season (predicted maximum activity is scheduled for the evening of December 21-22), and you have a meteor shower few backyard astronomers have ever observed.
That includes me. In years when I’ve made plans to view the Ursids, either clouds or a bright moon got in the way. Other times, I got so wrapped up in Holiday hysteria, I either forgot or was too tired to bother. On the one clear, moonless evening I did give the Ursids a try, I saw virtually nothing for 15 minutes, got bored, and went back inside–behavior NOT worthy of a so-called avid amateur astronomer!
Here’s my game plan for Ursids 2009–one that I encourage you to try. Some time towards the middle of the night when the waxing crescent moon has set, I’ll bundle up and go outside with a thermos of hot chocolate. Since the Ursids appear to radiate from the vicinity of the star Kochab (? Ursae Minoris) I’ll set up a lawn chair in a part of my back yard that affords a clear view of the northern sky. Then I’ll sit and wait. No copping out after a quarter hour! I’ll watch for at least an hour, or until I’ve spotted 5 or 6 Ursids, which ever comes first. Who knows–I might be fortunate enough to catch one of those rare Ursid outbursts. It’s the uncertainty of meteor showers that makes them so fascinating.
Want to know more about the Geminids and Ursids? Check out Gary Kronk’s www.meteorshowersonline.com. And don’t forget the section on meteor showers in Guy Ottewell’s annual publication Astronomical Calendar.
Your comments on this column are welcome. E-mail me at gchaple@hotmail.com.
