Alpha & Beta Centaurids Meteor Shower in Adelaide

[cosbo34]

Hey, just a quick question...

Was wondering if the Alpha & Beta Centaurids meteor shower will be very visible from Adelaide? would it be worth waiting up all night tonight?

Cheers!

[Domol]

Give it a try, you never know what your are going to get with a metor shower! There are guides published giving dates for maximums. see your sky & space magazine

[MrB]

Maximum is tonight I believe.... http://www.iceinspace.com.au/calendar/calendar.php?mode=day&date=2008-02-08
Gonna set up a comfy chair.... if the clouds clear!
Might have to dust-off the old film SLR too.

[cosbo34]

I watched from 1am to 3. It was very cloudy at first and then started to clear up, but I didn't see anything. :sadeyes:

It was all cloud again by 3 so I gave up, and had to get up for work again in another 3 hours anyway. Hopefully something will happen tonight.

[Domol]

According to the info on iceinspace, Beta Centaurids can reach hourly rates as high as 14, so that one metor every 4 minutes at best!:eyepop:Plan to goto bed early and try getting up 1 hour before twlight start, when the radiant will be at its highest in the sky. That your best bet, me thinks

[MrB]

Some helpfull links:
http://meteorshowersonline.com/showers/alpha-beta_centaurids.html
http://www.was.org.nz/01notices_10archive.html

Radiant is just north of the Beta Centaurus (of 'The Pointers')

[cosbo34]

Thanks. Seems like a pretty clear night, hopefully it stays that way.

[citivolus]

I didn't realize it was a shower, I caught two from it at about 3:45am on the 8th. I woke up, walked outside, and the sky was incredibly clear and dark.

The ones I caught were parallel, similar velocity, within 20 seconds of each other, and had the right radiant.

[Karls48]

All I can watch is cloud and rain.

[MrB]

Watched for about an hour last night thru patchy cloud from 3am to 4am, Saw 3 meteors; one possible Centaurid approx 1st or 2nd mag, two sporadic. Gave up 'coz of cloud and went to bed.

[Night Owl]

I was out with my 12" GSO Dob till 4:15 EST, and it was brilliant dark and no cloud. But... the jet stream was right over head according to the maps, and it must have been as Saturn and everything else was wiggling up a storm. But I did catch tantalizing glimpses of how good the seeing would have been with no jet stream. I'll have to buy a EQ6 and a ToUcam me thinks, just to steal a few good frames out of the jellyvision... when I can figure out how I can justify it to the finance officer (wife).

When I wasn't staring down the tube I was on the lookout for the shower. I think the best I saw was a peak of around 4 to 6 an hour around 2:30 EST. I saw two that left ion trails. I had one go through my scope while I was gawking around Crux, scared the heat out of me. Also saw around 2 to 3 an hour randoms as well. I also hooked up and managed to track a sat through Crux till my neck gave out from several hours of craning and the cold. I then packed it in an headed for the all night diner for bacon and eggs and a nice hot coffee. I had a ball. :thumbsup: