The next major meteor shower will not start until late April when the spectacular Lyrid meteors break out into the atmosphere. But individual meteors and shooting stars will dash across the skies in the run-up to the shower, offering a spectacle of their own. These bright fireballs are the so-called “spring meteors”, which typically grow in intensity between February and April. And if astronomers are correct in their predictions this year, amateur stargazers could be in for a treat this year around.
The spring meteors have a reputation with astronomers for being something of a loose cannon.
The meteors have been known to produce some amazing results but can be equally disappointing if viewing conditions are poor.
According to a NASA report on meteor activity around the time of the March equinox, the number of spring meteors can spike anywhere between 10 to 30 percent.
This year, Robert Lunsford of the American Meteor Society (AMS), said fireball season will last up until the end of April, when the Lyrids start to peak.
The meteor expert said: “February is the start of the evening fireball season when an abundance of fireballs seem to occur.
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“This lasts well into April as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. Sporadic rates are near maximum for those viewing from the Southern Hemisphere.
“There are no strong showers this month but sporadic rates are well in excess of 10 per hours as seen from mid-southern latitudes.”
In his meteor outlook for February 9 to February 15, Mr Lunsford expects at least seven meteor sources to be active.
This includes meteors from Alpha Antliids, the February Epsilon Virginids, Theta Centaurids and Alpha Centaurids.
However, the presence of a Waxing Gibbous Moon could complicate matters somewhat by washing out the night skies with harsh moonlight.
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The Moon, will soon reach full illumination near its perigee, or closest orbit to Earth, meaning it will be larger and brighter than usual – the so-called Supermoon.
But astronomers are still encouraged to look out for the odd meteor in the early morning hours when the Moon’s light does not get in the way.
Mr Lunsford said: “Hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near two as seen from mid-northern latitudes, 45N, and three as seen from tropical southern locations, 25S.
“For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 11 as seen from mid-northern latitudes and 16 from the southern tropics.
“The actual rates will also depend on factors such as personal light and motion perception, local weather conditions, alertness and experience in watching meteor activity.”
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What are meteors?
Meteors are all sorts of space debris, which pelt the Earth’s atmosphere on a daily basis.
Meteors range in size from grains of sand to several feet in diameter but it is the larger ones that produce bright fireballs.
These are technically known as meteoroids. Meteors are all meteoroids, which burn during their descent and meteorites are meteoroids, which survive the fiery trip down.
US space agency NASA explained: “Scientists estimate that about 48.5 tons (44 tonnes or 44,000 kilograms) of meteoritic material falls on the Earth each day.
“Almost all the material is vaporised in Earth’s atmosphere, leaving a bright trail fondly called ‘shooting stars’.
“Several meteors per hour can usually be seen on any given night.”