Atlas of Meteor Showers

This atlas contains everything you need to know about meteor showers and how to observe them. It begins with the science behind these celestial fireworks, then equips you with all the practical knowledge you'll need to make the most of these wonderful astronomical events.

The book is rich with illustrations, graphs and resources to assist your hobby. In addition, it includes downloadable radiant charts, report sheets, radiant altitude data, plotting charts and more, to help you locate each shower, record its activity and plot individual meteors during your nights of observation. Intended for amateurs of all levels and requiring no special equipment, this accessible Atlas of Meteor Showers will hone your skills and keep you engaged throughout the year, no matter where you are in the world.

Auteur
Phil Bagnall has pursued amateur astronomy and, in particular, meteor astronomy for more than 50 years. He is the author of The Meteorite & Tektite Collector's Handbook (Willmann-Bell, 1991) and the Star Atlas Companion (Springer, 2012). Additionally, he was a long-time contributor to Astronomy magazine, particular on the subject of meteors and meteor showers. He has also written for science magazines such as New Scientist, Focus, Earth, and Science PROBE!

Contenu

1. Introduction
2. MeteorsAn introduction to meteors and meteor astronomy covering key definitions and concepts. In addition to introducing the reader to the science behind the appearance of a meteor there will be half a dozen sidebars covering subjects that are related to meteor astronomy but which are not the main focus of this book: e.g. meteorites, objects trapped in the Earth's Lagrangian Points, etc.
3. Meteoroid Streams and Meteor ShowersThis chapter explains the nature of meteoroid streams in more detail, their relationship to comets and how they result in meteor showers. Most meteor books tell the readers that meteors are related to comets and leave it at that. This book goes further and puts meteoroid streams into context in relation to the Solar System and demonstrates how numerous minor bodies such as cosmic dust, minor planets, the Zodiacal Light, Centaurs, etc are all interrelated.
4. Observing Meteor ShowersHow to observe meter showers without using any equipment. The chapter concentrates on visual observations rather than photographic, video, radio, etc. Guidance is provided on how to stay safe.

5. The Major Meteor ShowersThe following 18 sections profile the major and key minor meteor showers. Sections will typically include:•Observing Notes When best to observe the shower.•Discovery How and when the shower was discovered.•Origins Details of the shower's parent body and its discovery.•Activity Details Quick Look table with key details of shower's location, activity level, etc•Other Data Additional information of use and interest to observers.•Timeline featuring key moments in the history of the shower.•Diagram showing the orbit of the parent body.•Finder Chart to locate the radiant.•Radiant Drift Chart showing the position of the radiant as it drifts across the sky.•Detailed Radiant Chart showing location and size of the radiant for specific dates.•ZHR Activity Graph covering 1990-2020.•Average ZHR Graph.•25-year Activity Levels so observers can better understand the chances of a good display.•Magnitude Distribution chart showing the magnitude profile of the shower.•Activity Curve.•Radiant Altitude charts for various latitudes.•Observing prospects table showing the Moon's interference for the period 2020-2030.

   Sections:oThe Quadrantids oApril Lyridso AquariidsoJune Boötidso CapricornidsoSouthern AquariidsoPiscis AustrinidsoPerseids o Cygnidso AurigidsoSeptember PerseidsoOctober CamelopardalidsoDraconidsoOrionidsoTauridsoLeonidsoGeminidsoUrsids

6. Minor Meteor ShowersAddressing the question of 'Why observe minor showers?' the next four sections will be a selection of some of the more interesting minor meteor showers.
   oJanuary to MarchoApril to JuneoJuly to SeptemberoOctober to December
   Appendix 1: Greek AlphabetAppendix 2: Constellation AbbreviationsAppendix 3: GlossaryAppendix 4: IAU List of Established Meteor ShowersAppendix 5: Orbit BasicsAppendix 6: Analysing Your Own Results (how to calculate the ZHR of a meteor shower using a calculator or an Excel spreadsheet).
   Appendix 7: Meteor Record Sheet (a generic sheet for recording meteor shower activity)Appendix 8: Magnitude Comparison Charts. A key aspect of meteor observation is making accurate magnitude estimations by comparing the brightness of a meteor to the stars it passes close by. This chapter will be a series of charts of the larger constell...