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1998 Eta Aquarids May 2 - 10
Just another reminder that after the Lyrids, the next major meteor shower to
look forward to are the Eta Aquarids. Below are the particulars about this
shower.
George Zay
ETA AQUARIDS - The Eta Aquarids are the outbound (post-perihelion)
particles of Halley's comet. This shower is active from mid-April
through the end of May with a broad maximum occuring from
May 2 through May 10. May 6 is designated as this showers peak.
With a full moon on May 11th, the best mornings to observe
would be around May 2nd thru the 6th. This shower is not well
seen from the northern hemisphere due to the low radiant alti-
tude. For latitudes around 33 deg North, I recommend observa-
tions to begin near 2h30m local time. Under clear, dark skies,
expect to see about 15-20 meteors/hour. An observer may see near-
ly 60 meteors per hour at shower maximum from tropical latitudes,
decreasing to invisibility as you approach 50 degrees north lati-
tude. From the southern hemisphere the Eta Aquarids are by far
the strongest annual shower at maximum. With the frequent trains
and a medium average magnitude, this shower shouldn't be too dif-
ficult to photograph. I would expect a 50mm and a 28mm lens to be
about equally successful. If you are using a fast 50mm lens...
such as at f/1.4 or 1.8...stop down a little to around f/2.0.
This will give you sharper images...particularly if your camera
is guided. Aim your camera towards the radiant, but above it. Be
sure to record camera start/stop times and meteor appearance
times as close to the exact second as possible. 1998 Max: May 5/6
at 04h UT; ZHR: 60; Vel. 65 km/s(Very Fast); Duration: Apr.19-May
28; Population Index: 2.7; Radiant Diameter: 4 degrees; Train
Production: 41.1%; Radiant: RA 22h36m, Dec. -01; Three Letter
Shower Code: ETA