Tag Archive: Meteors

Viewing the Orionids in 2017

The Orionids, like all meteor showers, are named after the constellation in which they appear to come from, which in this case is Orion. Remnants from this shower come from Halley's Comet, officially designated 1P/Halley.

by - Oct 14, 2017 - 8

25th anniversary of the Peekskill Meteorite

On October, 9, 1992, a very bright fireball flew over West Virginia, traveled some 700km (435 miles) north-east and ended-up its flight over the Peekskill northern Westchester County. This event is among the most historic meteorite events on record...

by - Oct 9, 2017 - 9

Meteor Activity Outlook for October 7-13, 2017

During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Thursday October 12th. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near 2300 local daylight saving time (LDT). This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the late evening hours creating difficult conditions to see meteor activity the remainder of the night due to the moon's glare.

by - Oct 6, 2017 - 2

Meteor Activity Outlook for September 30-October 6, 2017

During this period the moon will reach its full phase on Thursday October 5th. At this time the moon will be located opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the early morning hours, allowing meteor observers a few hours of dark skies before the first light of dawn.

by - Sep 29, 2017 - 2

Meteor Activity Outlook for September 23-29, 2017

During this period the moon will reach its first quarter phase on Wednesday September 27th. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near 0100 local summer time (LST). This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set shortly after dusk, allowing meteor observers dark skies the remainder of the night.

by - Sep 22, 2017 - 26

Bright Fireball over Lancaster County, PA

The AMS has received over 200 reports so far about of a fireball event seen above Maryland and Pennsylvania on September 17th, 2017 around 00:59am EDT (04:59 Universal Time). The fireball was seen primarily from Maryland and Pennsylvania but was also seen from New York, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio and Massachusetts.

by - Sep 17, 2017 - 4

Meteor Activity Outlook for September 16-22, 2017

During this period the moon will reach its new phase on Wednesday September 20th. At this time the moon will be located near the sun and will be invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise just before dawn and will not pose any problems to those trying to view meteor activity.

by - Sep 15, 2017 - 4

Meteor Activity Outlook for September 9-15, 2017

During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Wednesday September 13th. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near midnight local daylight time (LDT) as seen from mid-northern latitudes. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the late evening hours and will ruin the prime meteor viewing hours with its intense moonlight.

by - Sep 8, 2017 - 2

British Columbia Fireball – September 4th, 2017

The AMS has received over 300 reports so far about of a fireball event seen above the province of British Columbia (Canada) on September 4th, 2017 around 10:14pm PDT (September 5th, 2017 ~ 05:14 Universal Time). The fireball was seen primarily from British Columbia but was also seen from Alberta and Saskatchewan as well as from Washington, Idaho and Montana.

by - Sep 5, 2017 - 85

Meteor Activity Outlook for September 2-8, 2017

September offers longer nights in the northern hemisphere that tend to be less hazy than those experienced in mid-summer. In the sky, no major showers are visible from either hemisphere but the northern hemisphere enjoys the advantage of higher sporadic rates.

by - Aug 30, 2017 -

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 26-September 1, 2017

During this period the moon will reach its first quarter phase on Tuesday August 29th. At this time the half-illuminated moon will be located 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near midnight for observers located at mid-northern latitudes. This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set during the late evening hours allowing the more active morning hours to be free of interfering moonlight.

by - Aug 24, 2017 - 1

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 19-25, 2017

The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 5 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 23 as seen from mid-northern latitudes and 13 from the southern tropics.

by - Aug 17, 2017 - 14

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 12-18, 2017

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.

by - Aug 6, 2017 - 1

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 5-11, 2017

The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 2 for those viewing from the northern hemisphere and 1 for those located south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 20 as seen from mid-northern latitudes and 13 from the southern tropics.

by - Aug 3, 2017 - 2

Viewing the Southern delta Aquariids in 2017

The Southern delta Aquariids (SDA) are active from July 21 through August 23 with maximum activity occurring on July 30. This year the moonlight situation is favorable for the Southern delta Aquariids as the moon is at its first quarter phase on July 30th.

by - Jul 27, 2017 - 3

Meteor Activity Outlook for July 22-28, 2017

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.

by - Jul 21, 2017 -