Circular 2005/1
Tim Cooper
Director: Comet & Meteor Section
2005 January
Comets
Comet Machholz C/2004 Q2
Remains well placed for observation until mid January, when it moves rapidly northward. The comet is currently magnitude 4 and will probably brighten to magnitude 3 on its way to perihelion in late January.
Comet LINEAR C/2003 K4
Currently magnitude 7, should be followed until late 2004 as it crosses the False Cross, and then January 2005 crossing the constellation of Pictor, fading all the while.
Comet LINEAR C/2003 T4
This comet may brighten to magnitude 10 by end 2004 on its way to perihelion in April 2005. However it is a northerly object, and will only become really suitable for observation after perihelion as it crosses Sculptor and Pheonix, likely at magnitude 6 and visible in binoculars.
Comet 9P Tempel
This comet spends much of the first half of the year in Virgo crossing the Realm of Galaxies. It may brighten to magnitude 9 around mid year and will be well placed for observation in the evening sky.
Comet P/2004 V2 (Hartley-IRAS)
This comet may reach magnitude 10 in June 2005 coinciding with perihelion in its 21.5 year orbit.
Orbital Elements
Use the following elements to generate an ephemeris:
Comet Machholz C/2004 Q2 (T=2005-01-24.92, e=1.000, q=1.2058, i=38.586, peri=19.4475, node=93.6600)
Comet LINEAR C/2003 K4 (T=2004-10-13.73, e=1.000, q=1.0236, i=134.25, peri=198.444, node=18.6753)
Comet LINEAR C/2003 T4 (T=2005-04-03.93, e=1.000, q=0.8496, i=86.738, peri=181.717, node=93.8770)
Comet 9P Tempel (T=2005-07-05.36, e=0.518, q=1.5054, i=10.530, peri=178.867, node=68.9595)
Comet P/2004 V2 (Hartley-IRAS) (T=2005-06-20.84, e=0.835, q=1.2751, i=95.697, peri=47.0753, node=1.4002)
Meteors
Moonwise, conditions favour observation of most showers in the first half of the year, while the major annual showers in the second half will be less favourable. Thus meteor observers should concentrate on the following:
The Alpha Crucids are a minor shower at best, but have been reasonably well observed in the past by several observers, who all found the meteors to be fast, white and often bright. The alpha Centaurids are listed by the IMO as a highlight of the southern hemisphere meteor year, producing memorable fireballs. My own experience is that the shower shows very low rates, but the shower has been poorly observed in the past. It could benefit from wide coverage this year. The gamma Normids have also received reasonable attention in recent years, and produce low but consistent activity, and would benefit from wider coverage. New moon on the tenth means conditions this year are very favourable. With new moon on May 8, conditions are good for the eta Aquarids, the most active southern shower. Rates are normally low in the middle of April, start to pick up at month end, and then kick upwards in the first week of May. The peak is normally around May 5 at 60/hr, and can remain quite high with possible sub-maxima up to about May 12. The waning crescent moon will interfere before maximum, but will allow good observation of the post maximum period. The eta Aquarids are fast, often bright and a high percentage leave trains. Please note there is also activity nearby from the May Capricornids, which should be reported separately.
Consult the 2005 Sky Guide, page 76, for a table of meteor showers.
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