May is a fairly slow month for meteor activity. The Eta Aquariids are very active the first two weeks of the month then fade as the month progresses. The only other showers active this month are the Eta Lyrids and the Antihelion radiant. These will add only 1-2 meteors per hour to the total count. Sporadic rates are low but steady as seen from the mid-northern hemisphere (45 N).

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.

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!

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!

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.