Best Southern Meteor Showers

[AussieTrooper]

The three big meteor showers, Leonids, Geminids and Perseids, are all in the north. What are people’s thoughts about the best showers to view (those ones included) from down south?

[lynkim1]

... anyone?

[GrampianStars]

http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/earthskys-meteor-shower-guide#quadrantids

"May 6, 2016 before dawn, the Eta Aquarids
This meteor shower has a relatively broad maximum – meaning you can watch it the day before and after the predicted peak. This shower favors the Southern Hemisphere, and is often the Southern hemisphere’s best meteor shower of the year. By good fortune, in 2016, the moon turns new at or near the shower’s peak"

Full details for 2016 Meteor Showers @ above link

[bkm2304]

The International Meteor Organisation is a great source for information of showers. They have a 2016 calendar here (http://imo.net/files/data/calendar/cal2016.pdf) with lots of information added.

In 2016 there are 36 showers mentioned by the IMO. Some are pretty faint and some have very low hourly rates but still, for the sake of completeness, and scientific enquiry they get a mention.

Regarding Southern showers:
Kicking off in January the Alpha Centaurids are sometimes exceptionally bright, verging on fireballs according to the IMO. Just look for Alpha Centauri and wait - the rate is low - about 6 per hour but can be up to 30 per hour - but I have seen what I believe to be these meteors and they are indeed worth the persistence - have a refreshment with you at all times!

In July - August there are 3 showers of interest:
The Southern Delta Aquarius,
The Alpha Capricornids,
The Pisces Austrinids.

I made the effort to have a look at these two years ago and while not the most spectacular showers it was fascinating trying to trace each meteor back to its radiant.

Hope this helps.

Richard

[AussieTrooper]

Cheers. The Wikipedia page on the Alpha Centaurids certainly leaves a lot to be desired!