Gamma Normids

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Gamma Normids (GNO)
Discovery date1929[1]
Radiant
ConstellationNorma
(near Gamma2 Normae)
Right ascension16h 24m
Declination−51°[2]
Properties
Occurs duringMarch 7 – 23
Date of peakMarch 15[1]
Velocity68 km/s[2] km/s
Zenithal hourly rate<1-2[2]
See also: List of meteor showers
March 13th is the day when the most meteors are visible per hour. The first recorded observation of this meteor shower was made by Ronald A. McIntosh in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 13, 1929, at 2:24 a.m. During this event, the radiant, the point from which the meteors appear to originate, is located in the constellation of ARA (the Altar). It is approximately 4 degrees 13 minutes away from Epsilon Ara (Tso Kang), which is situated on the opposite side of the radiant. The radiant is the point where the Earth’s orbit intersects with that of a comet or asteroid. When these celestial bodies collide, fragments of asteroids or comet particles remain in orbit. As these particles enter the Earth’s atmosphere, they create bright streaks of light, known as meteors, that appear to originate from a single point. Although these particles enter the atmosphere simultaneously, they are perceived as coming from a single point due to the way our eyes perceive motion. This phenomenon is similar to the way closely spaced railway tracks appear to join together when viewed from a distance. Meteor showers are typically observed between midnight (00:00 a.m.) and the dawn of the day of the peak. However, the radiant must be above the Eastern horizon for the best viewing experience.

The Gamma Normids (GNO) are a weak meteor shower, active from March 7 to 23, peaking on March 15. The radiant is located near the star Gamma2 Normae in the constellation Norma.

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