American Meteor Society
Meteor Activity Outlook for April 30-May 6, 2016
Frederic Edwin Church, Meteor of 1860, 1860 – Courtesy of Judith Filenbaum Hernstadt Radiant Positions at 9pm Local Daylight Saving…
Author Archives
Robert Lunsford
Bob has been interested in the stars as far back as he can recall His first experience with meteors was a biggie, the 1966 Leonid shower. In 1980, a major awaking occurred. He received a sample copy of Meteor News. He was amazed to learn there was a group actually devoted strictly to meteor observing! He joined the group also started to view some of the minor showers list among the pages of Meteor News. Lastly, he was contracted by Springer Publishing in 2007 to write a book on observing meteors. The book is now available and hopefully will be a useful guide to all interested in the enjoyable field of meteor observing.
Viewing the Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower in 2016
The Eta Aquariids (ETA) are active between April 19 and May 28. The strongest activity is usually seen near May 7, when rates can reach 25-30 meteors per hour as seen from the tropical areas of the Earth.
Meteor Activity Outlook for April 23-29, 2016
Star Trails and Lyrid Meteor over UK – © Rob Payne 2014 During this period the moon wanes from its…
The LYRIDS are back!
Meteor Activity Outlook for April 16-22
Lyrid meteors should begin appearing on April 18th and will reach maximum activity 4 nights later. Rates at maximum are normally 10-15 per hour but the full moon will severely reduce this number.
Meteor Activity Outlook for April 9-15, 2016
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates for this week should be near 8 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 11 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S).
Meteor Activity Outlook for April 2-8, 2016
Meteor activity picks up a bit during April as the Lyrids become active during the month. They are active from the 18th through the 25th, with a pronounced maximum on the 22nd...
Meteor Activity Outlook for March 26-April 1, 2016
The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 3 for observers located in the northern hemisphere and 4 for observers located south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 5 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 7 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S).
Meteor Activity Outlook for March 19-25, 2016
AMS Event#1044-2016 by Josh Beasley – March 14th, 2016 Radiant Positions at 7pm Local Standard Time Radiant Positions at Midnight…
Meteor Activity Outlook for March 12-18, 2016
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 8 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 14 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S). During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Tuesday March 15th...
Meteor Activity Outlook for March 5-11, 2016
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 8 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 13 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S). The actual rates will also depend on factors such as personal light and motion perception...
Meteor Activity Outlook for Feb 27-March 4, 2016
As seen from the northern hemisphere, March is the slowest month for meteor activity. No major annual showers are active and only a few very weak minor showers produce activity this month.
Meteor Activity Outlook for February 20-26, 2016
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 4 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 8 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S)... It's a slow week for meteors: watch for fireballs!
Meteor Activity Outlook for February 13-19, 2016
The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 3 for observers located in the northern hemisphere and 4 for observers located south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 9 as seen from mid-northern latitudes...
Meteor Activity Outlook for February 6-12, 2016
During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Monday February 8th. On that date the moon will be located near the sun and will not be visible at night. As the week progresses the waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but will not cause any problems to meteor observers.
Meteor Activity Outlook for January 30-February 5, 2016
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 9 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 10 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S). The actual rates will also depend on factors such as personal light and motion perception...
Meteor Activity Outlook for January 23-29, 2016
During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Saturday January 23rd. On that date the moon will be located opposite the sun and will be above the horizon all night long. As the week progresses the waning gibbous moon will rise approximately 45 minutes later...
Meteor Activity Outlook for January 16-22, 2016
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 11 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 10 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S). The actual rates will also depend on factors such as personal light and motion perception, etc.
Meteor Activity Outlook for January 9-15, 2016
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates for this week should be near 16 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 8 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S).
Meteor Activity Outlook for January 2-8, 2016
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 16 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 8 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S).
Viewing the Quadrantid Meteor Shower
As for the Quadrantid meteor shower of 2016, this shower is predicted to peak on Monday morning January 4th over North America and the western Atlantic region. On that morning the 30% illuminated moon will rise at approximately 0200 (2am) local standard time for most observers in the northern hemisphere.
Meteor Activity Outlook for December 26 – January 1, 2016
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 8 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 6 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S). Rates are reduced during this period due to interfering moonlight.