Author Archives

Robert Lunsford

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.

Meteor Activity Outlook for November 06-12, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Friday November 11th. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near 22:00 local standard time (LST) on November 10th. This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set during the early evening hours but will not spoil meteor observations as it sets long before the more active hours arrive.

by - Nov 5, 2021 - 3

Meteor Activity Outlook for October 23-29, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Thursday October 28th. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees west of the sun in the sky and rises near 23:00 (on 27 Oct.) local standard time. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the early evening hours and will spoil the sky the remainder of the night. Late in this period meteor observers can view activity during the evening hours prior to moon rise.

by - Oct 22, 2021 - 2

Meteor Activity Outlook for October 16-22, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Wednesday October 20th. At that time the moon lies opposite the sun in the sky and remains above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the early morning hours, allowing a small window of opportunity to view under dark conditions between moon set and dawn.

by - Oct 15, 2021 -

Meteorite Crash in Southeastern British Columbia

After a meteorite fragment smashed through a residential roof last weekend, Western University meteorite experts are seeking the public’s assistance in sharing privately-held video footage from smart phones, dashboard cams or security cameras that may have captured a fireball passing through the sky over southeastern British Columbia last Sunday evening (October 3, 2021) at 11:33pm local time.

by - Oct 13, 2021 - 2

Meteor Activity Outlook for October 9-15, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Tuesday October 12th. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near 23:30 local daylight saving time (LDST). This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set during the evening hours and will not interfere with meteor observing, especially during the more active morning hours.

by - Oct 8, 2021 - 1

Meteor Activity Outlook for October 2-8, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Wednesday October 6th. At that time the moon lies near the sun and is invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the late morning hours and will not interfere with meteor observing.

by - Oct 1, 2021 -

Meteor Activity Outlook for September 18-24, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Monday September 20th. At that time the moon lies opposite the sun and remains above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the late morning hours, allowing only a limited opportunity to view under dark skies between moon set and dawn.

by - Sep 17, 2021 -

Meteor Activity Outlook for September 4-10, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Monday September 6th. At that time the moon lies near the sun and is invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise shortly before dawn and will not interfere with meteor observing. Late in this period the waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but again it will set near the end of dusk and will not interfere with meteor observing.

by - Sep 3, 2021 - 1

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 28-September 3, 2021

During this period evening skies will be free of interfering moonlight, but morning observers must take care to avoid the moon within their field of view. The moon rises later with each passing night enlarging the window of opportunity to view meteor activity under darker skies.

by - Aug 27, 2021 - 2

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 14-20, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Sunday August 15th. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near 23:00 local daylight saving time (on Aug. 14). As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon sets later and later, diminishing the available time of dark sky with each passing night.

by - Aug 13, 2021 - 2

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 7-13, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Sunday August 8th. At that time the moon lies near the sun and is invisible at night. As the week progresses the waxing crescent moon enters the evening sky but will set before the more active morning hours arrive.

by - Aug 6, 2021 - 3

Meteor Activity Outlook for July 31-August 6, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Saturday July 31st. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees west of the sun and rises near midnight local daylight saving time (on August 1st). As the week progresses the waning crescent moon rises later each morning, allowing a better view of the active morning sky as glare from the moon subsides.

by - Jul 30, 2021 - 4

Meteor Activity Outlook for July 24-30, 2021

During this period, the moon phase wanes from 100 percent illuminated down to nearly one-half illuminated. This weekend the moon lies opposite the sun and is above the horizon all night long. As the week progresses the waning gibbous moon rises later each night, allowing early evening observing under dark skies later next week.

by - Jul 23, 2021 - 11

Viewing the Perseid Meteor Shower in 2021

The Perseids are often the most impressive Meteor Shower of the year for the Northern Hemisphere. The Perseid meteor shower offers a consistently high rate of meteors every year and it occurs in August when the temperatures are usually nice enough for a night under the stars!

by - Jul 22, 2021 - 4

Meteor Activity Outlook for July 17-23, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Saturday July 17th. At this time the moon lies near 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near midnight local daylight saving time (LDST). As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon enters the morning sky and will begin to interfere with morning meteor observing. By the end of the week the nearly full moon will be in the sky nearly all night long making meteor observing difficult at best.

by - Jul 16, 2021 -