nite time light show
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:32 pmthis may be of interest as long as the sky stays clear.
Tonight Southern Hemisphere observers should watch for the peak of the Phoenicid meteor shower. With an estimated hourly fall rate of 5, this particular shower might not seem exciting, but it has an unusual place in history. In 1956 over 100 meteors per hour were recorded - leading to the shower’s discovery. This stream is believed to be the offspring of lost periodic comet Blanpain, first observed in 1819. Although the exact time of peak activity is unpredictable, past observations show that it begins right after sunset radiating from a constellation already high in the southern sky. The shower is also unusual because it leaves few visible trails - but is well-known for occasional bright flashes and exploding fireballs!
also
Saturday, December 9 - Southern Hemisphere viewers, you’re in luck again! Tonight will be the maximum of the Puppid-Velid meteor shower.
With an average fall rate of 10 per hour, this particular apparition could also be visible to those far enough south to see the constellation itself. Very little is known about this meteor shower except that the streams and radiants are very tightly bound together. Since studies of the Puppid-Velids are just beginning, why not take the opportunity to watch? Viewing will be an all night event and although most of the meteors are faint, the Puppid-Velids are known to produce an occasional fireball.
Tonight Southern Hemisphere observers should watch for the peak of the Phoenicid meteor shower. With an estimated hourly fall rate of 5, this particular shower might not seem exciting, but it has an unusual place in history. In 1956 over 100 meteors per hour were recorded - leading to the shower’s discovery. This stream is believed to be the offspring of lost periodic comet Blanpain, first observed in 1819. Although the exact time of peak activity is unpredictable, past observations show that it begins right after sunset radiating from a constellation already high in the southern sky. The shower is also unusual because it leaves few visible trails - but is well-known for occasional bright flashes and exploding fireballs!
also
Saturday, December 9 - Southern Hemisphere viewers, you’re in luck again! Tonight will be the maximum of the Puppid-Velid meteor shower.
With an average fall rate of 10 per hour, this particular apparition could also be visible to those far enough south to see the constellation itself. Very little is known about this meteor shower except that the streams and radiants are very tightly bound together. Since studies of the Puppid-Velids are just beginning, why not take the opportunity to watch? Viewing will be an all night event and although most of the meteors are faint, the Puppid-Velids are known to produce an occasional fireball.
