This daytime meteor shower was first detected by C. S. Nilsson (Adelaide
Observatory) during 1961. Radar equipment was operated during March 11-16 and
three meteors were detected during March 12-16 from an average radiant of
RA=339.5 deg, DEC=-7.6 deg. Nilsson suggested the stream was closely related to
the Northern Iota Aquarid stream (see August).
The stream was next detected during March 16-22, 1969, by G. Gartrell and W.
G. Elford (Adelaide Observatory). Seven meteors were detected from an average
radiant of RA=338 deg, DEC=-8 deg. The authors concluded that, although there
was some discrepancy between the ascending node of the March stream and that of
the July stream, "The correspondence of the longitudes of perihelion is
excellent." They added that since the July stream was apparently broad, a link
with the March stream "may still be acceptable."
Radio-echo equipment at Adelaide Observatory has produced two available
orbits for this stream.
AOP
AN
i
q
e
a
N1964
59.7
353.7
2.5
0.298
0.86
2.128
GE1975
42
359
1.8
0.18
0.89
1.695
The Author has examined the original 39,145 radio meteor orbits obtained
during the two sessions of the Radio Meteor Project. Although Zdenek Sekanina
gives no orbit corresponding to this stream for either February, March or April,
it seems the March Aquarids were present. The data indicates a very diffuse
stream that begins in February and ends in April. Both of the above orbits could
easily be represented among these radio meteor orbits and this might indicate
that two or more filaments are present.