Observing
The Chi and Omega Scorpiids are closely related ecliptic streams. The former, or northern stream, possesses a typical long duration which extends from May 6 to July 2. Maximum activity is not well defined, but seems most likely to occur between May 28 and June 5, from an average radiant of α=245°, δ=-12°. The Omega Scorpiids form the southern component and are active during May 19 to July 11. Maximum occurs during June 3-6, from an average radiant of α=243°, δ=-22°. The daily motions of both radiants are very similar and amount to +0.9° in α and -0.2° in δ.
History
The first detection of the Chi Scorpiids should be credited to William F. Denning. During 1886 to 1912, he observed several meteors emanating from RA=252°, DECL=-10°, during June 2-4. These meteors were described as “very slow.”
In 1935, R. A. McIntosh published his “An Index to Southern Meteor Showers.” The Chi Scorpiids were listed as radiant number 147. They occurred during May 28 to June 11. McIntosh’s compilation of 5 previously observed radiants indicated the radiant moved from RA=241°, DECL=-13° to RA=247°, DECL=-18°. Although this indicates a daily motion slightly exaggerated over the mathematically predicted motion of RA=+0.93°, DECL=-0.14°, the accumulated visual, photographic and radar data indicate the radiant is fairly diffuse—amounting to a diameter of nearly 8 deg—so that an accurate visual determination would be truly remarkable.
McIntosh’s radiant list also included the Omega Scorpiids. Designated as radiant 146, it was the first time activity had been officially recognized from this stream. The shower was active during the period May 29 to June 11, and moved from RA=240°, DECL=-21° to RA=247°, DECL=-18°. Like the Chi Scorpiids, this shower’s radiant should track southeasterly, but since it also possesses a fairly diffuse radiant, McIntosh’s determination should not be taken at face value.
Observations of the Chi Scorpiids have been fairly continuous during the 20th century, with nearly every major meteor radiant compilation providing evidence. Radiants from some of the more prominent observers follow:
Chi Scorpiids
| Date (UT) | Designation | α (°) | δ (°) | Observer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933, May 26-27 | 258 | 244 | -14 | Ernst Opik |
| 1932, May 31 | 99 | 244 | -10 | Ernst Opik |
| 1930, June 8.76 | — | 244.8 | -14.3 | V. Maltzev |
| 1912, June 9.2 | 403 | 248 | -14 | C. Hoffmeister |
Observations of the Omega Scorpiids have been somewhat sporadic during the 20th century, except among observers in the southern hemisphere. Thus, the shower is represented in several major works. Some of the radiants follow:
Omega Scorpiids
| Date (UT) | Designation | α (°) | δ (°) | Observer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933, May 23.8 | 3065 | 235 | -26 | C. Hoffmeister |
| 1933, May 28.3 | 3235 | 241 | -25 | C. Hoffmeister |
| 1937, June 3.3 | 3415 | 247 | -26 | C. Hoffmeister |
| 1937, June 4.0 | 3429 | 240 | -25 | C. Hoffmeister |
| 1937, June 5.3 | 3439 | 244 | -22 | C. Hoffmeister |
| 1937, June 7.4 | 3466 | 249 | -27 | C. Hoffmeister |
| 1937, June 7.1 | 3476 | 249 | -29 | C. Hoffmeister |
| 1937, June 11.4 | 3526 | 255 | -23 | C. Hoffmeister |
| 1937, June 13.5 | 3548 | 253 | -25 | C. Hoffmeister |
| 1937, June 15.0 | 3569 | 257 | -25 | C. Hoffmeister |
Taken as a whole, the Chi and Omega Scorpiids are very similar to the Ophiuchids (and even the Theta Ophiuchids) discussed earlier in this chapter—there are northern and southern components with orbits differing only in AOP and AN (this variance equals 180 deg for each of these orbital elements). Unlike the other ecliptic streams, both branches are equally strong and have been listed as showers in their own right.
Further notice of these northern and southern branches was taken by Bertil-Anders Lindblad in 1971, when he detected the Chi Scorpiid stream in a computer study of photographic meteors. He pointed out that the Chi Scorpiid stream possessed two branches, with the southern branch being identical to McIntosh’s radiant number 146.
As indicated earlier, observations of the Omega Scorpiids are at their best from the southern hemisphere. According to Jeff Wood, director of the meteor section of the National Association of Planetary Observers, a shower referred to as the “Omega Scorpiids” is visible every year in Australia. Reaching maximum on June 4 from α=240°, δ=-22°, it is visible during May 24 to June 13. Wood claims the ZHR typically varies between 5 and 20.
Interestingly, despite the fact that both streams seem well represented in the literature, the Chi Scorpiids seem the most consistent, with their existence being well represented in visual, photographic and radar data. On the other hand, the Omega Scorpiids seem more sporadic in appearance. The visual observations listed earlier are primarily made in 1937, with few additional observations being at hand. Similarly, Lindblad’s photographic meteor study revealed a very weak sample of only 3 meteors to base this stream’s orbit on. Finally, no radar survey has delineated this stream (in either the northern or southern hemisphere), while its northern counterpart has been revealed on a couple of occasions.