American Meteor Society
Viewing the Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower in 2022
Halley’s Comet particles Every year between mid-April and the end of May, the Earth encounters the outbound debris from Halley’s…
Archive: News
Meteor Activity Outlook for April 23-29, 2022
During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Saturday April 23rd. On that morning the half-illuminated moon will rise near 3:00 local daylight saving time (LDST) and will interfere with morning meteor observations the remainder of the night. As the week progresses, the moon rises later in the morning and by the end of the week the moon will rise near dawn, allowing dark skies the entire night.
Meteor Activity Outlook for April 16-22, 2022
During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Saturday April 16th. At that time the moon will lie above the horizon all night long, making meteor viewing difficult at best. As the week progresses a small window of opportunity will open up to watch meteor activity under dark skies between dusk and moon rise. Unfortunately, this time of night produces the lowest meteor activity so activity will be sparse at best.
Meteor Activity Outlook for April 9-15, 2022
During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Saturday April 9th. The half-illuminated moon will interfere with evening and early morning meteor observations as it doesn't set until 03:00 local daylight saving time (LDST), allowing only a small remainder of the night to be free of interfering moonlight. As the week progresses, the moon sets later and later, interfering all night long by the end of the period.
Meteor Activity Outlook for April 2-8, 2022
During this period, the moon waxes from a thin crescent to nearly half-illuminated. This weekend the thin crescent moon will set shortly after dusk, so no moonlight will interfere during the remainder of the night. Late in the period the evening hours have interfering moonlight, but the more active morning hours are still free from any interference.
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.
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.
Meteor Activity Outlook for February 26-March 4, 2022
Daniel Bush captured this extremely bright fireball at 4:43 CST (10:43 UT) on January 2, 2022, from Albany, Missouri, USA.…
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.
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.
Previewing 2022 Major Meteor Events
As in all years, the activity of meteor showers largely depends on the phase of the moon. If the moon…
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.
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.
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.
Meteor Activity Outlook for January 8-14, 2022
Rick Matthias was photographing the summer Milky Way during the Perseid meteor shower last August when this bright meteor shot…
Viewing the 2022 Quadrantids
The Quadrantids can be one of the strongest displays of the year, yet they are difficult to observe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.