International Meteor Organization

Handbook for Meteor Observers reprinted

Fri, 08 May 2009 21:09:44 +0200

As the first print of the new Handbook for Meteor Observers was already exhausted after only 8 months, it was quickly decided to make a reprint, which is now available from the online IMO shop. The editors took advantage of the occasion to correct some typos and to make minor updates to the shower information where appropriate. The most visible change will no doubt be the much improved quality of the the star maps from the "Atlas Brno 2000".

The IMO Handbook for Meteor Observers is an absolute must for everybody interested in meteors, even those that are not actively observing. The price remains unchanged at 20 EUR or 28 USD.

Lyrids 2009

Sat, 02 May 2009 13:48:40 +0200

The Lyrids are expected to peak on 2009 April 22 around 11h UT (ZHR ~20). Past observations have shown the maximum time to be variable from year to year; in 2009 the peak could occur between 3h and 14h UT on April 22. The radiant of this shower, between Lyra and Hercules, rises during the night. Watches can be usefully carried out from about 22h30m local time onwards from mid-northern sites, but only from well after midnight from the mid-southern hemisphere. The waning crescent Moon will rise too late in the night in the northern hemisphere to cause any problems. More information about this shower can be found in the 2009 Shower Calendar.

Visual observations can be reported through the Report Form and are highly appreciated. The observations are automatically included in an automated ZHR graph.

International Meteor Conference 2009 - September 24-27, Poreč - Croatia

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:44:44 +0100

The International Meteor Conference (IMC) is the highlight of the meteoric year, as amateur, but also professional, meteor astronomers have the opportunity to meet each other in a relaxed atmosphere, exchange observational results and new insights into meteor astronomy, and strengthen friendships built up over many years.

For the first time in its history, the IMC takes place in Croatia, notably in the historic city and Adriatic seaside resort of Poreč, located on the Istrian Peninsula, not terribly far from major cities such as Venice and Trieste. More information on the conference, its location, travel information, and how to register can be found here.

Also, the registration is open!

WGN Vol. 37, No. 1 out now

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:41:50 +0100

The new issue of the Journal of the International Meteor Organization is now in print. It will be posted shortly; all IMO Members and WGN subscribers should receive it soon.

Beginning with this issue, WGN subscribers are now able to access the Journal in electronic PDF format. That way, you will be able to download WGN as soon as it is being printed. This will enable subscribers to read the Journal without delays caused by the international or overseas postage delivery.

The current issue is provided as a sample copy (free download for everybody [PDF 2.1MB]).

If you are not yet a member of the International Meteor Organization, you can become one by filling out the electronic registration form and pay the corresponding dues. In this way, you will also receive the other issues of 2009, both as paper copy and electronically!

Quadrantids 2009

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:38:07 +0100

The Quadrantids are expected to peak on January 3 around 13h UT. The radiant of this shower, in northern Bootes, attains a useful elevation after local midnight and rises higher in the sky towards morning twilight. The waxing crescent Moon sets near local midnight, making 2009 an excellent year to observe the Quadrantids! More information about this shower can be found in the 2009 Shower Calendar. Visual observations can be reported through the Report Form and are highly appreciated. The observations are automatically included in an automated ZHR graph.

Geminids 2008

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:33:53 +0100

The Geminids, one of the most spectacular meteor showers, reaches its annual maximum around December 13. Unfortunately the maximum coincides with a full phase of the moon this year, severely hampering optical observations because of the poor darkness of the sky. Observers are nevertheless encouraged to submit their data for analysis. Meteor rates obtained under full moon conditions still teach us more about the activity of this shower than having no data at all.

An automated ZHR graph is made available for this shower.

Leonids 2008

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:45:30 +0100

The Leonids have a 'traditional' node time in 2008 on November 17 around 09h UT, though the bright waning Moon close to the constellation of Leo will be a severe problem for observers on any location. In addition to the the traditional maximum, Jérémie Vaubaillon predicts two potential stream encounters, centred on November 17 at 01h32m UT (1466 trail; ZHR ~25-100?) and November 18 at 21h38m UT (1932 trail; ZHR ~20?). Mikhail Maslov proposed that the shower may show a peak with ZHRs ~130 at 00h22m UT on November 17, with meteors brighter than average. Observations around these times, as well as any other moments, would be of great value to test and improve the prediction models. An automated ZHR graph is made available for this shower. Please refer to the short-term meteor activity outlook and the 2008 shower calendar for observing information.

Taurids 2008

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:45:47 +0100

The Taurids are part of the meteoroid stream complex associated with Comet 2P/Encke. Studies by David Asher have indicated that increased Taurid fireball rates may result from a “swarm” of larger particles within the Taurid complex, and he suggested such “swarm” return might possibly occur in 2008, albeit rather uncertain. The most recent swarm encounter, in 2005, produced a lot of very brilliant fireballs and enhanced ZHRs of ~10-15, that persisted from about October 29 to November 10. Observations of the Taurids are highly encouraged and results of visual work are made available in automated ZHR-graphs.

Orionids 2008

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:45:52 +0200

Please submit your observations using the electronic form, which will get processed directly into a live ZHR profile.

The Orionids produce fast moving meteors linked to the comet 1 P/Halley. It is a middle-sized shower visible between early October and the first week of November. They usually peak around solar length 208° or October 21st with rates up to ZHR ~25. In 2006 and 2007 however, the maximum went up to more than twice this value, with lots of bright meteors. Theoretical simulations show that this enhanced activity is likely to repeat this year. Unfortunately for observers, a waning gibbous moon at last quarter on October 21 significantly disturbs the observations. Nevertheless, given the exceptional activity of the stream, observations are still worthwhile and remain highly appreciated.

IMO Meteor Observation Handbook

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:48:21 +0200

The brand new IMO Meteor Observation Handbook is now available from the online shop.

Thirteen years after the IMO's "Handbook for Visual Meteor Observers" (1995), a new "Handbook for Meteor Observations" has been published. As the title says, the 1995 handbook was devoted to visual meteor observations. The IMO's "Photographic Handbook" was sold out for many years as well, and there were requests for instructions to other observing techniques, too. Therefore the 2008 "Handbook for Meteor Observations" covers the visual, photographic, video, telescopic and radio observation of meteors. It also includes - as the 1995 handbook did - a description of the meteor showers currently included in the IMO's Working List, with a concentration to the recent observations and up-to-date activity information.

Thanks to the contribution of numerous authors, this broad spectrum of topics was collected and updated. Of course, meteor astronomy - observations as well as theoretical work - will produce new results and insights. Hence we plan to work on the texts on a continuous base with the aim to publish updated and revised new editions in less than 13 years. So anyone is invited to contribute to a future version by sending comments on the current texts and figures or to write texts/produce figures.

Perseids 2008

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:04:06 +0200

Please submit your observations using the electronic form, which will get processed directly into a live ZHR profile.

The Perseids, probably the best-known meteor shower, will have their maximum on August 12th 11h30m â€” 14h00m UT with expected ZHRs (hourly rates in theoretical perfect conditions) around 100, but activity already picks up in the second half of July.

The waxing gibbous Moon will be setting between local midnight and 01h30m on August 12/13 for the mid-northern latitudes best-placed to follow the shower (moonset is progressively earlier for places further north), leaving some dark skies to cover whatever happens. For these same locations, the Perseid radiant is viably observable from 22h â€” 23h local time onwards, gaining altitude throughout the night, so circumstances overall are quite favourable. The predicted maximum would be best-viewed from places in and around the northern Pacific Ocean, including the extreme west of North America west as far as extreme eastern Japan and China, assuming it happens as expected. The only negative aspect to the shower is the impossibility of covering it from the bulk of the southern hemisphere.

Eta-Aquariids 2008

Mon, 05 May 2008 23:52:12 +0200

Please report your observations to be included in the η-Aquariids Visual Data Quicklook Page.

A fine, rich stream associated with Comet 1P/Halley, like the Orionids of October, but one visible for only a few hours before dawn, essentially from tropical and southern hemisphere sites. Some useful results have come even from sites around 40Â° N latitude in recent years however, and occasional meteors have been reported from further north, but the shower would benefit from increased observer activity generally. The fast and often bright meteors make the wait for radiant-rise worthwhile, and many events leave glowing persistent trains after them. While the radiant is still low, η-Aquariids tend to have very long paths, which can mean observers underestimate the angular speeds of the meteors, so extra care is needed when making such reports.

The radiant area is located in northern Aquarius, close to the fourth magnitude star Gamma Aquarii. The best time to view this activity is just before the start of morning twilight, when the radiant lies highest in a dark sky. No matter your location these meteors will appear from the eastern sky and shoot in all directions. If the radiant has sufficient altitude Eta Aquariid meteors can also be seen shooting down toward the eastern horizon. With an entry velocity of 66 kilometers per second, a majority of these meteors will appear to move swiftly with a high percentage of the bright meteors leaving persistent trains.

IMC 2008 Registration Open

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:50:38 +0100

The Local Organization Committee and the IMO Counsel invite you to participate in the 2008 edition of the International Meteor Conference (IMC), which will take place in Slovakia, in a beautiful setting, not far from the city of Banská Bystrica, from September 18 to 21.

Everyone who ever attended an IMC can testify that it is one of the highlights of the meteoric year! It is a unique opportunity to meet likeminded people from all over the world and to exchange experiences. In particular, you have the opportunity to present your own results or those of your observing group by giving a talk. In that case, you will see the paper of your presentation published in the proceedings that will be compiled after the event.

Participation in the 2008 IMC costs 150 EUR. This sum includes full board in the conference hotel, all sessions, the conference excursion, a 2008 IMC T-shirt, and the conference proceedings. Early registrants get a reduction of 10 EUR.

You can register by filling out the electronic registration form and paying the registration fee, or making a prepayment of at least 70 EUR. You can find more detailed information on the IMC 2008 website.

I hope to meet you in Å achtiÄka!

IMO Video Meteor Database Updated

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 23:56:12 +0100

The database of the IMO Video Meteor Network has been updated recently and now contains all observations until December 31, 2007. It is made of 328112 meteor records, collected in 2816 nights and 72582 hours of effective observing time. The PosDat data can be downloaded from the IMO website and from the IMO Video Network Homepage.

In March 1999, a video camera network was established by the German Arbeitskreis Meteore (AKM). By the end of 1999, it consisted of four cameras, and it has been growing ever since. In the next few years, not only observers from Germany joined the initiative, but also from other countries. Because of its international character, the network has been renamed to IMO Video Meteor Network in 2004.

Quadrantids 2008

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:58:56 +0100

Please report your observations to be included in the Quadrantids Visual Data Quicklook Page.

The maximum of the 2008 Quadrantid meteor shower is expected to occur near January 4, 7h UT. The Moon is almost new and rises together with Venus in the last observing hour. Western Europe and eastern North America are best suited for observing the peak.

This meteor shower can show maximum corrected rates (Zenithal Hourly Rates - ZHR) for as long as 6 hours, as was shown in 1992 for example. ZHRs may be well above 100, but the peak level varies from year to year. You can expect realistic rates of about one meteor per minute from dark locations.