Astronomical Highlights for 2004

It's not often I can state we didn't miss much when a meteor shower has been clouded out. The Leonids back in mid-November put on a poor show worldwide, only producing about ten or so meteors per hour at peak. Definitely no enhanced activity. In fact, that rate is even below what is expected during "normal" years. Looks like the Earth missed most of the meteor stream entirely.

Before I get into the prospects for the meteor showers of 2004, I must detail some major astronomical events you should start getting excited about in the upcoming year.

First, we've got a couple of comets that may put on a great display before mid-year. Comet NEAT might become 1st magnitude (brighter than the stars in the Big Dipper) during mid-May in the western sky after sunset. Then Comet LINEAR will put in an appearance after sunset during the beginning of June, in the southwestern sky!

Since this is the first time these dirty snowballs have visited the inner solar system, predictions of their behavior are unreliable at best. As famed comet discoverer David Levy once said, "Comets are like cats. They both have tails and they do what they want!" Let's hope the early forecast for a pair of bright, naked-eye comets proves true.

The second, and very rare astronomical event (only 81 will occur between 2000 B.C. and A.D. 4000) for 2004 is the transit of Venus. On June 8, Venus will pass between the Earth and the Sun. Using a properly filtered telescope, an observer will see the disk of our nearest planetary neighbor slowly move "across" the disk of the Sun. The event will already be in progress when the sun rises around 5:08 am. The dark sunspot-like dot will begin to egress the solar disk around 7:05 am, and leave it entirely at around 7:26 am. The last one occurred in 1882, and the next one will occur on June 6, 2012. Don't look at the Sun at all, unless you use equipment specially suited for such a purpose.

And finally, we have another opportunity to observe a total lunar eclipse on October 27-28. Totality will last just over 40 minutes, 15 minutes longer than last November's event. And since the Moon will be further into the Earth's dark umbral shadow, it may appear darker than the last two total lunar eclipses we experienced.

Furthermore, let's not forget the annual meteor showers that send blazing shooting stars across our skies. Unfortunately, the first meteor shower of 2004, the Quadrantids, will be spoiled by bright moonlight this year on the night of January 3-4. A waxing gibbous Moon (three days before Full) will certainly reduce the number of meteors one could observe. Though past rates have risen as high as 100 meteors per hour, moonlight will wash-out all but the brightest of the shower members. Also keep in mind the Quads have a very sharp peak, usually lasting only about an hour.

Normally 40 or so bright, blue and fast (25.5 miles per second) meteors will radiate from the constellation Bootes. Cast your gaze towards the northeast sky and scan around. Bootes will rise higher into the sky as the morning progresses, and when the activity increases, you'll know exactly where to train your eyes.

The Moon will brighten the entire sky, even more so if we have snow on the ground. If you want to try your luck with the Quadrantids, at least shield the Moon from your direct view. Also, despite the interfering moonlight, try observing from a non-light polluted site. Therefore, you will maximize your chances of seeing as many shooting stars as possible. The Quads often blaze more than halfway across the sky, and a small percentage of those leave persistent dust trains. Just remember, it's going to be quite cold out there, so be sure to do whatever is necessary to stay warm and alert.

The prospects for the major meteor showers of 2004 are much better than last year. The April Lyrids, the Perseids and the Geminids will occur without much interference from the Moon. The Orionids will be quite observable as well once the First Quarter Moon sets. The June Lyrids look good on paper, but the shower is now practically extinct. Let's hope the weather on any peak meteor shower night is to our advantage to observe as many shooting stars as possible. A quick glance at the accompanying chart will highlight 2004's meteor showers and Moon phases.

Good luck and stay warm.