During this period the moon will reach it's first quarter phase on Thursday July 19th. At that time the moon will be located 90 degrees east of the sun and will set around 0100 local daylight saving time (DST). This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set during the early evening hours and will not interfere with meteor viewing.
During this period the moon will reach it's new phase on Thursday July 12th. At that time the moon will be located near the sun and will be invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the early hours and will not interfere too much with viewing meteor activity as long as you keep it out of your field of view.
During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Monday January 8th. At that time the half-illuminated moon will lie 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near midnight local standard time (LST) as seen from mid-northern latitudes. This weekend the bright gibbous moon will lie in the sky from about 2200 LST onward. This is make viewing meteor activity difficult as the bright moon will obscure all bu the brighter meteors. As the moon passes last quarter on Tuesday, conditions improve with each passing night. The moon's phase will shrink each night plus the moon will rise later and later.
The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 6 for those viewing from the northern hemisphere and 3 for those located south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 32 as seen from mid-northern latitudes and 16 from the southern tropics.
Meteor activity kicks into high gear in August as seen from the northern hemisphere. The main reason for all this activity is the Perseid shower that peaks on August 12th...
During this period the moon will reach its new phase on Sunday July 23. At this time the moon will be located near the sun and will be invisible at night. As the week progresses the waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but will not interfere with meteor observing.
During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Sunday July 16. While the half-illuminated moon will certainly cast some glare in the night sky, it is still much less bright than the full moon. Therefore successful meteor observations can be obtained by simply keeping the moon out of your field of view while observing. Since the moon rises near midnight for observers located in mid-northern latitudes, the evening hours will be free of interfering moonlight.
During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Monday April 3rd. At this time the half illuminated moon is located 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near 0300 local daylight time (LDT) as seen from mid-northern latitudes. This weekend is good for viewing meteor activity during the more productive morning hours as the moon will have set shortly after midnight. As the week progresses the window of opportunity to view under dark skies shrinks with each passing night as the moon sets later and later.
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...
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