The Daytime Meteor Streams of 1948--I: Measurement of the Activity and Radiant Positions

Abstract

The series of meteor streams incident on the sunlit side of the Earth between May and August, which were first studied in detail by the radio echo method during 1947, appear to be a recurrent phenomenon. Their radiant points lie in a narrow strip of the celestial sphere, situated somewhat to the north of the ecliptic, and extending from 330° to 120° in right ascension. They are unusually rich, giving hourly rates comparable with those of the Perseids and Geminids, and on many occasions two or three of these showers are active at the same time. In addition to confirming the 1947 observations during May and June, the work during 1948 led to the discovery of four further major showers in July and early August.