January to March

For the major showers, the year begins with a very poor northern-hemisphere Quadrantid return (the waxing gibbous Moon is above the horizon almost all night near the maximum, around 6h UT on January 4), and the southern-hemisphere alpha-Centaurids are even worse (peak due around 16h 40m UT on February 8; full Moon is on February 6!). The minor delta-Cancrids and delta-Leonids are significantly better-placed. The diffuse ecliptical stream complex of the Virginids gets underway by late January, running through to mid April, probably producing several low, and poorly observed, maxima in March or early April. The interesting late January to early February spell, during which several new minor showers have been suggested in recent years, is almost entirely Moon-free, especially for most of the, perhaps core, January 20-27 period. Check your plots for potential swift-meteor radiants in the Coma-Leo-Virgo area and its surrounds particularly. Mid-March sees the southern-hemisphere gamma-Normids lose out to last quarter Moon for their possible maximum on March 13, though recent results imply a later peak around March 17 may occur now (rather more favourable for checking). The shower's details are most uncertain, with ZHRs virtually undetectable more than a day or two away from the peak, whenever - or even if - it happens. Daylight radio shower peaks are theoretically due from the Capricornids/Sagittarids around February 2, 2h UT, and the chi-Capricornids on February 14, 3h UT. Recent radio results suggest the Cap/Sgr maximum may variably fall up to 2 or 3 days later than this however, while activity near the expected chi-Capricornid peak has tended to be slight and perhaps a day or so later in 1999-2001. Both showers have radiants <10°-15° west of the Sun at maximum, so cannot be regarded as visual targets even from the southern hemisphere.

Active       : January 1-24;
Maximum      : January 17 (sol = 297°);
ZHR          = 4;
Radiant      : alpha = 130°, delta = +20°;
Radiant drift: see Table 3;
V            = 28 km/s;
r            = 3.0;
TFC          : alpha = 115°, delta = +24° and
               alpha = 140°, delta = +35° (beta>40° N);
               alpha = 120°, delta = -03° and
               alpha = 140°, delta = -03° (beta<40° N).


Figure 1: Radiant position and drift of the delta-Cancdrids

This minor shower of predominantly faint meteors is well-suited to telescopic observations, with a large, complex, diffuse radiant that probably consists of several sub-centers. Visual observers should assume a minimum radiant size of roughly 20° in alpha by 10° in delta about the radiant point given above. This type of large, loose radiant area is similar to the Virginids, and the delta-Cancrids are probably an early part of the Virginid activity. Recent observations have suggested the peak may occur close to sol = 291° (2004 January 11), though ZHRs do not rise above 3-4 even then. Last quarter Moon on January 15 means only the January 17 peak time will be observably moonless, and watches to see what occurs near this date should definitely be attempted. The long northern winter nights are ideal for making observations, while the radiant is above the horizon almost all night in either hemisphere.

Active       : February 15 - March 10;
Maximum      : February 25 (sol = 336°);
ZHR          = 2;
Radiant      : alpha = 168°, delta = +16°;
Radiant drift: see Table 6;
V            = 23 km/s;
r            = 3.0;
TFC          : alpha = 140°, delta = +37° and
               alpha = 151°, delta = +22° (beta>10° N);
               alpha = 140°, delta = -10° and
               alpha = 160°, delta = 0° (beta<10° N).


Figure 2: Radiant position and drift of the delta-Leonids

Like the delta-Cancrids, this minor shower may appear to be part of the Virginid activity but it has a radiant clearly north of the ecliptic and is probably associated with an asteroid, (4450) Pan. Rates are normally low, and its meteors are predominantly faint, so it is a prime candidate for telescopic investigation. Visual observers must make very accurate plots of the meteors to distinguish them from the nearby Virginids and the sporadics. Northern hemisphere sites have an advantage for covering this shower, but southern hemisphere watchers should not ignore it, as they are better-placed to note many of the other Virginid radiants. On February 25, the waxing crescent Moon sets between about 23h-0h local time for typical northern sites, and before 22h for the mid-southern hemisphere. The radiant is well on view for most of the night near its peak.