Archive: Meteor Showers

Meteor Activity Outlook for December 25-31, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Sunday December 26th. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees west of the sun and rises near 23:00 local standard time (LST). As the week progresses the waning crescent moon will rise approximately 45 minutes later each night, allowing more of the morning hours to be free of interfering moonlight.

by - Dec 24, 2021 -

Meteor Activity Outlook for December 18-24, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Sunday December 19th. At that time the moon lies opposite the sun and is above the horizon all night long. As the week progresses the waning gibbous moon will rise approximately 45 minutes later each night, allowing a small window of opportunity to view under dark skies between dusk and moon rise.

by - Dec 17, 2021 - 2

Meteor Activity Outlook for December 11-17, 2021

During this period, the moon waxes from its first quarter phase to nearly full. This weekend the waxing gibbous is in the sky during the evening hours and sets just after midnight local standard time. As the week progresses the moon will set approximately 45 minutes later each night and by the end of the week it will be above the horizon all night long.

by - Dec 10, 2021 - 1

Viewing the Geminid Meteor Shower in 2021

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. Then is this display worth viewing this year? Most certainly, but this year will be compromised with a bright waxing gibbous moon in the sky until 2:00am. Many meteors can still be seen it will be more of a challenge than usual.

by - Dec 6, 2021 - 1

Meteor Activity Outlook for December 4-10, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Saturday December 4. At that time the moon lies near the sun and is invisible at night. As the week progresses the waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but will set before the more active morning hours arrive.

by - Dec 3, 2021 -

Meteor Activity Outlook for November 27-December 3, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Saturday November 27. At that time the moon will rise near 23:00 (on Nov. 26). This weekend the morning sky will be bathed in moonlight from the half-illuminated moon. If your sky is transparent, successful meteor observations can be undertaken under such circumstances. It helps to face a direction opposite the moonlight in order to sustain your night vision. As the week progresses the moon becomes less of a nuisance as its phase wanes, and it rises later in the morning with each passing night.

by - Nov 26, 2021 - 3

Meteor Activity Outlook for November 20-26, 2021

During this period, the moon wanes from nearly full to just over half illuminated. This is the worst time of the month to try and view meteor activity as the more active morning hours are completely saturated by moonlight. If one has patience, you can try viewing during the evening hours between dusk and moonrise.

by - Nov 19, 2021 - 1

Meteor Activity Outlook for November 13-19, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Friday November 19th. 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 early morning hours, allowing a few hours of observing between moonset and dawn.

by - Nov 12, 2021 - 6

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 -

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 25-October 1, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Tuesday September 28th. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees west of the sun and rises near 23:00 local daylight saving time (LDST). This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the late evening hours and will interfere with meteor observing the remainder of the night.

by - Sep 24, 2021 - 4

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