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Meteor Activity Outlook for December 15-21, 2018

by Robert Lunsford - Dec 14, 2018 -

During this period the moon will reach its first quarter phase on Saturday December 15th. At this time the half-illuminated moon will set between 11-12am local standard time for observers in mid-northern latitudes. This will compromise evening observations of meteors but the more active morning hours will be unaffected. As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon will set later and later, limiting the time of truly dark sky to the hours just before dawn.

Meteor Activity Outlook for December 8-14, 2018

During this period the moon will wax from a slender crescent phase to nearly half illuminated. This will be a great time to view meteor activity as the moon will have set by the time the more active morning hours arrive. The moon will be present during the evening hours but successful meteor observing is still possible during this time by simply keeping the moon out of your field of view.

by Robert Lunsford - Dec 9, 2018 - 5

Viewing the Geminid Meteor Shower in 2018

Year in and year out the Geminids are currently the most dependable meteor shower. Unfortunately, they are active in December when temperatures are often cold and skies cloudy in the northern hemisphere. If this shower peaked in August it would be much more popular, but the radiant would then lie much closer to the sun and Geminid meteors would only be visible in the few hours preceding dawn.

by Robert Lunsford - Dec 7, 2018 - 3

Meteor Activity Outlook for December 1-7, 2018

During this period the moon will reach its new phase on Friday December 7th. At this time the moon will be located near the sun and will be invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the early morning hours but successful meteor observing is still possible by simply keeping the moon out of your field of view.

by Robert Lunsford - Dec 1, 2018 - 2

Outburst of the Andromedids in 2018?

During the period of December 3-5 2011, the Canadian Meteor Orbit Radar installation observed strong activity from a source on the Andromeda/Cassiopeia border. After a lengthy analysis it was determined that these meteors were produced by Comet 3D/Biela during its passage though the inner solar system in 1649. This is the same comet that produced the magnificent Andromedid displays of 1872 and 1885.

by Robert Lunsford - Nov 26, 2018 - 4

Meteor Activity Outlook for November 24-30, 2018

During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Thursday November 29th. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near midnight local standard time. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise shortly after dusk making it difficult to view meteor activity the remainder of the night.

by Robert Lunsford - Nov 24, 2018 -

Meteor Activity Outlook for November 17-23, 2018

During this period the moon will reach its full phase on Friday November 23rd. At this time the moon will be located opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the early morning hours allowing a few hours of observations before the start of morning twilight.

by Robert Lunsford - Nov 16, 2018 - 2

Everyday, we receive reports about Fireballs. Here are some of the latest major Fireball Events:

Dec12 12 reports from IN, KY, OH & PA
Dec12 12 reports from CT, ME & NH
Dec10 62 reports from OK & TX
Dec10 70 reports from CT, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA...

Dec6 11 reports from WA
Dec6 22 reports from WA
Dec6 29 reports from IA, IL, IN, MI, OH & WI
Dec4 21 reports from AL, AR, FL, LA, MS & TX

Dec3 12 reports from DE, MA, ME, NH, NY & PA
Dec1 16 reports from TX
Nov30 10 reports from CO & NM
Nov28 135 reports from NY

And also...

Dec4 34 reports from France & Spain
Dec3 16 reports from United Kingdom
Dec1 15 reports from Netherlands & Belgium

Nov29 11 reports from Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Czech Republic & Austria
Nov27 98 reports from Italy, France, Spain & Switzerland

Meteor Showers Visual Report

Since the last upgrade to the AMS website we have temporarily lost the functionality of the visual report form. We know this is an important aspect of the website to many of you and we are working to restore them asap. In the meantime, you may contribute your observations to the International Meteor Organization or send them via email to the AMS.

Thank you for your patience in this matter and we look forward to receiving you visual reports now and in the future.

Fireball Caught on Camera over Texas

by Vincent Perlerin - Nov 16, 2018 - 14

The AMS has received over 95 reports so far about of a fireball event seen above Texas on November 15th, 2018 around 21:25am CDT (November 16th 3:25 Universal Time). The fireball was seen primarily from Texas but was also seen from Louisiana and Oklahoma.

Meteor Activity Outlook for November 10-16, 2018

by Robert Lunsford - Nov 8, 2018 - 4

During this period the moon will reach its first quarter phase on Thursday November 15th. At this time the half-illuminated moon will be located in the early evening sky and will set near midnight local standard time (LST). This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set during the early evening hours allowing meteor observations under perfect conditions during the more active morning hours.

Fireball over Missouri on November 2 – Videos

by Vincent Perlerin - Nov 5, 2018 - 9

The AMS has received over 375 reports so far about of a fireball event seen above Missouri on November 2nd, 2018 around 7:25pm CDT (November 3rd 00:25 Universal Time). The fireball was seen primarily from Missouri but was also seen from Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Meteor Activity Outlook for November 3-9, 2018

by Robert Lunsford - Nov 2, 2018 - 4

During this period the moon will reach its new phase on Wednesday November 7th. At this time the moon will be located near the sun and will be invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the early morning hours but will not cause any problems viewing meteors as long as you keep it out of your field of view.

Meteor Activity Outlook for October 27-November 2, 2018

by Robert Lunsford - Oct 26, 2018 -

During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Wednesday October 31st. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise between 2200 and 2300 local daylight saving time (DST). This weekend the bright waning gibbous moon will rise during the early evening hours and will spoil the remainder of the night by obscuring all but the brighter meteors.

Meteor Activity Outlook for October 20-26, 2018

by Robert Lunsford - Oct 18, 2018 - 7

The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 3 for those viewing from the northern hemisphere and 2 for those located south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 18 as seen from mid-northern latitudes and 13 from the southern tropics. Rates are reduced during this period due to moonlight.

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We are currently investigating 156 reports about fireballs seen over IN, CA, WA, MN, MD, NC, OH, PA, WI, NM, VA, NY, NJ, TX, NH, IL, ME, MA, GA, OR, FL, RI, WV, NE, LA, NV, SC, AZ, MT, KY, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, Nevada, Oregon, Alaska, Utah, Iowa, Colorado, Connecticut, West Virginia, California, South Dakota, Hawaii, Washington and Idaho.

We are also currently investigating 105 reports from Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Honduras, India, Italy, Morocco, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Tanzania and South Africa.

Meteor Showers

Next major shower peak:

Geminids

on December 13-14th night.
The moon will be 45% of full.

The Geminids are usually the strongest meteor shower of the year and meteor enthusiasts are certain to circle December 13 and 14 on their calendars. This is the one major shower that provides good activity prior to midnight as the constellation of Gemini is well placed from 10pm onward. The Geminids…

Current active major meteor shower:

Geminids - Dec 4 16

Meteor Shower Calendar

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