UPCOMING METEOR SHOWERS: JUNE 2013

June is known for the return of three remarkable daytime showers. Major showers Arietids and ζ-Perseids, peaking respectively on June 7th and June 9th in 2013, are both characterized by a broad maximum (with possible submaxima) and high ZHR value, thus making first half of June one of the best periods of the year for MS-Dxing.

For both showers, radiant rises above horizon in very late night and culminates in late morning in european skies; in Central Europe (and lower latitudes) the radiant elevation is even too high around midday, thus lowering radio efficiency. For both showers, radiant sets in late afternoon. For central Europe observers, best geometric efficiency can be found in early morning (favoring N-NE and S-SW directions) and early afternoon (favoring N-NW and S-SE directions).
Even daytime β-Taurids, peaking June 28th, is characterized by fairly good ZHR.

May be worth checking also June Bootids (peaking June 27), and γ-Delphinids. The latter was only seen in 1930 with a brief outburst, but P. Jenniskens has proposed that a new return of this shower may happen in 2013, on June 11th around 08.30 UT.



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

Arietids (daytime shower)
Active: May 22 – July 02
Maximum: June 07, 12h UT (λsol=76°7)
ZHR: HIGH (60 hr-1)

ζ-Perseids (daytime shower)
Active: May 20 - July 05
Maximum: June 09, 11h UT (λsol=78°6)
ZHR: HIGH (40 hr-1)

June Bootids
Active: June 22 – July 02
Maximum: June 27 (λsol=95°7)
ZHR: Variable but typically low

β-Taurids (daytime shower)
Active: June 05 – July 17
Maximum: June 28, 10h UT (λsol=96°7)
ZHR: Medium (20 hr-1)

(Source: IMO)


2013 ETA-AQUARIIDS: A STRONG OUTBURST!

In 2013, η-Aquariids have produced a spectacular outburst, with ZHR reaching about 130 hr-1, more than twice the expected value. What is remarkable is that there was an excess of very bright meteors, thus resulting in many long bursts, noted both during the weekend’s contest, and the following days (especially on May 6th and 7th ). Many MS QSO, even on SSB and even on very long distances have been achieved. Activity profile can be seen on IMO Website.