Observation targets

More information on asteroids can be found at the PDS node.

H10 values are of interest to professionals. Magnitude estimates, particularly of fainter comets are therefore important.
Comet hunting, particularly in twighlight conditions is still worthwhile, but professional searches will soon be scanning all the dark sky areas to 19th mag.
46P/Wirtanen (1997, 2008) and 81P/Wild 2 (1997) are spacecraft targets so observations are important. Other targets are 22P/Kopff, 29P/SW1, 76P/WKI, 90P/Chiron.
Its worth monitoring asteroids in cometary type orbits (eg Phaethon, Oljato, 6144 1994 EQ3, Hidalgo, Hephaistos) in case they outburst. Similarly it is worth monitoring distant periodic comets.
Nuclear magnitudes following an outburst can be useful, but should always use the same telescope and magnification.
Disconnection events (and kinks, rays, knots etc) in plasma tails are only likely for comets in equatorial heliocentric latitudes.

Its worth watching minor showers, particularly those associated with long period comets - you might see an outburst. Its possible that one or two occur each year.
The Leonids are expected to show enhanced activity from 1998 to 2003, storms in 1999 and 2000 and minor enhancment from 2003 to 2006. There were two peaks in 1965 at solar longitude 234.12 and 235.16.
There were an unusually large number of Taurid fireballs in the last 10 days of October 1995.
It is possible to see shower members outside the normally accepted limits, eg NDA Aug 1 - Sep 3, PER Jul 12 - Sep 8, LEO Nov 8 - Dec 3, GEM Dec 3 - 15.
The Perseids may have multiple peaks.
The alpha circinids may outburst in 2003/04
There may be a further alpha Monocerotid outburst on 1996 November 21 07:30
1995 O1 is unlikely to produce meteors, but its worth watching.