Minor Meteor Showers of November, December, and January

Abstract

Systematic visual observations of 7987 meteors were made during the montns November, December, and January in 1961-7. Major shower meteors were identified and the remaining data were analysed for evidence of minor meteor shower activity. By tracing the paths of 894 meteors which appeared to make up 70 groups, common radiant points were found suggesting the existence of minor meteor showers. Two further tests of significance supported this contention. Ten out of the 70 minor meteor showers were found to occur in at least two different years on approximately the same dates and therefore are considered to be established minor meteor showers. The majority of the minor shower radiants were found to lie close to the plane of the ecliptic.