Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower, 4-6th May.

[Suzy]

HEADS UP!!! Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower- 4-6th May.

Best Time: Australia- 11pm- 4.30am.
Or as a general time- northern/southern hemispheres, in the dark hours before dawn. Greatest numbers will be seen 1-2 hours before dawn.

Peak: May 5th (as per times above).

Where: Northern and Southern Hemisphere, with a higher rate expected in the Southern Hemisphere.

Source of shower: the famous Halley's comet!
Each year, Earth travels through a path of debris left over by Halley. The Orionids at the end of the year is Halley related too.

Claim to fame: Known for its bright and fast meteors. News has it, this year is supposed to be a good one.

Tip #1: Look approximately half way up the sky facing east.
Tip #2: Don't look directly up at the sky nor directly at the radiant as that's only just the point where they're seen to come from, instead scan the area given. Grab yourself a comfy sun lounge or blanket- lay down and enjoy the show!

A "wow" quote...
"Each Eta Aquarid meteroid is a piece of Halley's comet doing a kamikaze death dive into the atmosphere". - Bill Cooke, NASA.

In a dark sky, especially at more southerly latitudes, the Eta Aquarids can produce up to 20 to 40 meteors per hour. From mid-northern latitudes, you might only see about 10 meteors per hour.
For more information and useful guides, read more here:
http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-eta-aquarid-meteor-shower

Why is there more Eta Aquarid meteors in Southern Hemisphere?
Sunrise comes later to the Southern Hemisphere and earlier to the Northern Hemisphere during the month of May. For that reason, the radiant point of the Eta Aquarid shower climbs higher into the predawn sky at more southerly latitudes. That’s why the tropics and southern temperate latitudes tend to see more Eta Aquarid meteors than we do at mid-northern latitudes. Cruise to southerly latitudes, anyone?
Read More: http://earthsky.org/space/why-more-e...ern-hemisphere

-Suzy.

[Liz]

Had a look this am from 3am - 5am and saw about 12 EQs and 4 nice sporadics, alas Moon was right where the radiant was, but still able to spot them.

Aquarius is rising about 2.30am, and tomorrow the Moonrise is about 3am, depending on where you are.

Will be out tomorrow am too, from 3am thereabouts, weather permitting.

Pic from this am.

[mozzie (Peter)]

had a look this morning for an hour around 4.30am spotted a couple short sharp but nice and bright...very enjoyable..

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Had a look up tonight, saw grey wet clouds and a dropping barometer.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Went out last night despite the satellite image showing cloud across the state. Picture posted in nightscapes section.

Was nice seeing the bright ones!

H

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Skippy Sky is promising clear skies for Sydney tonight. Should I believe it?

If only they would turn off street lights at midnight. I have one that will be directly under the radiant.

[mozzie (Peter)]

clouded in here tonight...might be heading down to you sydney siders..

[shelltree (Shelley)]

I completely forgot this shower was happening and just assumed I wouldn't be out and about to see it. And of course, we ended up out under the stars Friday night and couldn't figure out why were were seeing so many fireballs!

There were about 5 in particular which were absolute crackers. A few had bright streaming tails, one had a massive tail and streamed across the sky, it was so unbelievably bright! I was doing a timelapse during all of this but have yet to check the shots to see if I got anything. I may not have as I was doing a video from beneath some trees so may have missed the action. All in all, was pretty incredible! Even saw one through the finderscope while observing, woohoo!

[Liz]

Headed out this morning at 3am and had a ripper night!!! A friend and I saw about 42 from 3-4.30 when she toddled off. I stayed up until 0545, the sky was lightening, and I was still seeing them.

I estimate about 60 meteors for the night,with about 10 sporadics. Got a few with the camera, but many were faint and fast. A wonderful night/morning though.

[Draco (Draco)]

Hi Guys.

When is the last day of the shower? Have I missed it already

[Draco (Draco)]

I love reading AstroBlog and according to it, the best time will be the 8th of May although the peak happens today (6th May) at 1UT (which as it might happen is daytime for us .. so lucks out on that)

Seems like the party has already started without me

http://astroblogger.blogspot.com.au/...-may-2013.html

[cyclone]

i captured this on the sky cam. just after 3am

http://www.gorgecreekorchards.com.au.../etashower.jpg

[Draco (Draco)]

cyclone - I love that camera

BTW what are those lights on the edges, what are they? Have seen them quite a few nights now.

Regards

[Suzy]

Crickey Liz, what a corker of a night you had!
Especially seeing this is your first viewing of the Eta Aquarids!

And Shelley, WOW!

I managed to spot three flying through my eyepiece while observing under the tail of Scorpius on the morning of the 5th between 1.00-1.30am. And then I couldn't keep my eyes open past 2.30 so went to bed. Will be trying again tonight, this time staying up later for the 2hrs before dawn. Don't like my chances, quite a bit of cloud around at the moment.

UPDATE !!!

According to Ian Musgrave (Astroblog), he said, "according to the IMO the peak is at 11 am today [Monday 6th], and recent dust trail analysis suggests that there will be several dust trails crossing our path up to 23:45 UT ( 6 May) so early morning 7th and 8th will be best (and the Moon will be further away)."

Liz, are you gettng back out there?
You know you want to....

[Sarah84]

I observed yesterday morning (5/5/13) between 2am - 3am, Unfortunately only spotted about 10 in the hour - I was quite surprised how bright the crescent moon was. Might pop out for another look tonight!

[Suzy]

Nice one Cyclone! Thanks for sharing.

Check out these photos. I've popped them onto the IIS facebook page, but for those that don't use fb here they are.

By Colin Legg. Those orange streaks are fireball trails!:


By Greg Gibbs:

[Suzy]

Originally Posted by Sarah84

I observed yesterday morning (5/5/13) between 2am - 3am, Unfortunately only spotted about 10 in the hour - I was quite surprised how bright the crescent moon was. Might pop out for another look tonight!

Good on you Sarah, let us know how you go!
Apparently a couple of hours before dawn will show more meteors- and seems to be the case going by what Liz said in this thread.

Ooops nearly forgot!

[Sarah84]

Thanks Suzy! I'm a long-time lurker of this forum lol Glad to finally have the courage to post. Nice to know I'm not the only one obsessed with the night sky haha!
Yep might set the alarm for early tomorrow morning & see how I go.

[Suzy]

Well Sarah I'm awfully glad you plucked up the courage to join- we need more astro chicks here!
This will feel like home to you in no time I'm certain of it (such a wonderful bunch of people on here) .
The more you post, the more you'll feel comfortable and get to know us better. So post away and if you need help with anything, please don't be afraid to ask.

[Suzy]

ANOTHER *EVEN BETTER* UPDATE !!!

Ian Musgrave (Astroblog) has just notified me:
"Just had a post over on the MeteorObs mailing list suggesting an outburst may be in progress, so definitely go out on the morning of the 7th to have a look."

Thanks for the heads up Ian!
Oh pleeeeeease clouds disappear by then.