Archive: News

Meteor Activity Outlook for March 25-April 1, 2022

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Friday April 1st. At that time the moon lies near the sun and is invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the early morning hours and won’t interfere with meteor observing as long as you keep it out of your field of view.

by - Mar 25, 2022 - 1

Meteor Activity Outlook for March 12-18, 2022

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Friday March 18th. At that time the moon lies opposite the sun in the sky and lies above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the early morning hours but will not interfere with meteor observing during the more active morning hours, allowing a few hours of dark sky observing prior to dawn.

by - Mar 11, 2022 - 4

Meteor Activity Outlook for February 19-25, 2022

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Wednesday February 23rd. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees west of the sun and rises near 01:00 local standard time (LST). This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the evening hours and will spoil the sky for meteor viewing the remainder of the night.

by - Feb 18, 2022 - 13

Meteor Activity Outlook for February 12-18, 2022

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Wednesday February 16th. At that time the moon lies opposite the sun and remains in the sky all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the early morning hours, leaving a couple of hours to view in dark skies prior to dawn.

by - Feb 11, 2022 - 2

Meteor Activity Outlook for February 5-11, 2022

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Tuesday February 8th. At that time the moon lies near 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near 01:00 local standard time. This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set during the early evening hours and will not interfere with meteor observing during the more active morning hours.

by - Feb 4, 2022 - 3

Meteor Activity Outlook for January 22-28, 2022

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Tuesday January 25th. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees west of the sun and rises near midnight. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the early evening hours, spoiling the sky with intense moonlight for the remainder of the night.

by - Jan 21, 2022 - 2

Meteor Activity Outlook for January 15-21, 2022

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Monday January 17th. 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 just prior to dawn, allowing only a small amount of time to view under moonless conditions before the break of dawn.

by - Jan 14, 2022 - 3

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 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

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 -