Meteor routes develop over time. Two good examples are the Andromedids which produced splendid outbursts in the late 19th century prior to fading into obscurity (the first meteor photo was of an Andromedid), and the December Geminids which are overtaking the Perseids in the early 21st century as the years most dependable yearly meteor shower. This development is due to the interplay and yank of the interior solar system worlds (primarily Jupiter) on streams of particles put down by comets throughout perihelion passages.
A common CAMS all-sky meteor electronic camera setup. Credit: SETI/NASA Ames/CAMS.
October is constantly a fascinating month for meteors in basic. In addition to a possible Arid outburst, the Taurid fireballs are active in early October, thanks to routine comet 2P/Encke, holder of the quickest orbital period of any recognized comet at just 3.3 years.
The Arid radiant near regional midnight, as seen from near Santiago, Chile. Credit: Stellarium.
Watch out for the Arids if you take place to be in the southern hemisphere today … you might just capture the birth of a new meteor shower in the making.
Lead image: An early Arid meteor from late September. Credit: SETI/NASA Ames/CAMS.
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Specifically, SETI Institute and NASA Ames Research Center astronomer Peter Jenniskens, and T. Cooper and D. Lauretta of the Astronomical Society of South Africa and the University of Arizona respectively found an uptick of 13 meteors seen in NASA Ames around the world Cameras for All-Sky Meteor Surveillance (CAMS). These electronic cameras were based in New Zealand and Chile, and caught the meteors hailing from the constellation Ara on the clear sky nights of 28-30 September. Hey, the southern hemisphere needs more meteor showers …
Two #Arids meteors, caused by debris from comet 15P/Finlay entering EarthGetting in atmosphere, captured by cameras of the Cerro Tololo station of the CAMS Chile network at 04:51 UT on 2021 September 29.
— The SETI Institute (@SETIInstitute) October 2, 2021
The new Arid meteor shower may be making itself known in early October 2021.
Its not every day that we witness an outburst from a brand-new meteor shower beautifying the skies of the Earth. However thats just what may remain in store today for fortunate observers deep in the southern hemisphere, with the introduction of the Arid meteors.
Thankfully, the Moon reaches New stage on October 6th, putting it out of view. This favors the southern tip of South America, though observers throughout the southern hemisphere should be alert for any boost in meteor activity, specifically from the instructions of the constellation Ara near the region of the south celestial pole. Hey, the southern hemisphere needs more meteor showers …
Two #Arids 2, caused by debris from comet 15P/Finlay entering Earths atmosphere, captured by caught of electronic cameras Cerro Tololo station of the CAMS Chile network at 04:51 UT on 2021 September 29. Two good examples are the Andromedids which produced splendid outbursts in the late 19th century prior to fading into obscurity (the first meteor image was of an Andromedid), and the December Geminids which are surpassing the Perseids in the early 21st century as the years most trustworthy annual meteor shower. October is always a fascinating month for meteors in basic.
The shower in question should radiate from the otherwise obscure southern hemisphere constellation of Ara the Altar (possibly, they should be known as the Ara-tids? The radiant position is Right Ascension 17h 7, Declination -57.5 degrees south.
Arid meteor activity, in CAMS All-Sky view. Credit: SETI/NASA Ames/CAMS
The source of the shower is short period Comet 15P/Finlay. On a 6.5 year orbit, Comet 15P reached perihelion on July 13th this past summertime, and its debris path converges the Earths orbit in early October.
The around the world CAMS meteor network. Credit: SETI/NASA Ames/CAMS.
Particularly, SETI Institute and NASA Ames Research Center astronomer Peter Jenniskens, and T. Cooper and D. Lauretta of the Astronomical Society of South Africa and the University of Arizona respectively found an uptick of 13 meteors seen in NASA Ames worldwide Cameras for All-Sky Meteor Surveillance (CAMS). These cams were based in New Zealand and Chile, and caught the meteors hailing from the constellation Ara on the clear sky nights of 28-30 September.
