UPCOMING METEOR SHOWERS: MAY 2013

The most prominent shower this month is η – Aquariids, peaking May 06, 01h UT. This shower, related to the rich stream associated with comet 1P/Halley, is characterized by a broad maximum, sometimes with a variable number of submaxima. Recent IMO analyses, based on data collected between 1984 and 2001, indicate that ZHR is generally above 30 hr-1 between about may 3-10. The peak rates appear to be variable on a roughly 12-years timescale, due to influence of Jupiter. According to this model, the most recent highest rates should have happended around 2008-2009, with ZHR values up to 65 hr-1 even in 2011, while ZHR should be relatively modest in 2013. Peak ZHR around 55 hr-1 is predicted for this year. Please note that η – Aquariids radiant is above horizon (thus making the shower usable for MS) in Europe only (approximatively) in very late night and morning hours. While southern Europe stations will be able to “see” the radiant till early afternoon, in northern Europe skies the radiant culminates at reletively low elevation so an observer is able to see the radiant for much less time.

Some daytime showers (ο – Cetids, peaking May 20th being the most significant ) will be also active this month; in addition to increasing Sporadic Meteors background, they will provide good conditions for MS DXing.


For Radio Observers, the (theoretical) UT peaks for upcoming showers in May 2013 are as follows:

η – Aquariids
Active: April 19 – May 28
Maximum: May 06, 01h UT (λsol= 45°5)
ZHR: HIGH (55 hr-1)

η – Lyrids
Active: May 03 – May 14
Maximum: May 08 (λsol= 48°0)
ZHR: Low (3 hr-1)

ε - Arietids (Daytime shower)
Active: April 24 – May 27
Maximum: May 09, 09h UT (λsol= 48°7)
ZHR: Low

Arietids (May) (Daytime shower)
Active: May 04 – June 06
Maximum: May 16, 10h UT (λsol= 55°5)
ZHR: Low

ο – Cetids (Daytime shower)
Active: May 05 – June 02
Maximum: May 20, 08h UT (λsol= 59°3)
ZHR: Medium

(Source: IMO)