This weekend the moon will interfere with viewing the maximum of the Orionid meteor shower but circumstances are much better than viewing during a full moon. Simply make certain you view with the moon at your back so that the lunar glare does not impede your vision.
During this period the moon reaches it full phase on Saturday October 15th. At this time the moon will be located opposite the sun and will be in the sky all night long. This is the worst time of the month in which to try and view meteor activity as the bright moon will obscure all but the brightest meteors.
AMS Event#3903-2016 caught on dashcam by Youtube user “jrtech99” Over 550 witnesses have reported a large early morning fireball seen…
This weekend is favorable for meteor observing as the more active morning hours will be free of interfering moonlight. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 21 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 16 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S).
For the 2nd time this week, the AMS has received multiple reports (nearly 400 so far) over a fireball seen over the Great Lakes region on Friday, October 7th 2016 around 6:45am EDT (10:45 UT).
We received over 750 reports so far about of a fireball event over seen over the Eastern Great lakes region on Tuesday, October 4th 2016 around 11:36pm EDT (Wednesday, October 5th 2016 around 02:36 UT).
Meteor activity increases in October when compared to September. A major shower (the Orionids) is active all month long and there are also many minor showers to be seen.
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 12 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 10 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S).
The AMS has received nearly 350 reports so far about of a fireball event over seen over Montréal, CA on September 21st, 2016 around 9:45pm EDT (Sept 22nd, 1:45 UT). The fireball was seen primarily from Québec but witnesses from Ontario, New Brunswick, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire also reported the event.
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates this week should be near 8 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 5 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S).
The AMS has received over 340 reports so far about of a rare daylight fireball event over seen over North Carolina on September 8th, 2016 around 6:03pm EDT (22:03 UT).
The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 3 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 2 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S). For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 18 as seen from mid-northern latitudes ...
AMS Event 3216-20116 caught by a dash cam provided by Peter Burkhard around 00:00am PDT on September 3rd, 2016 Over…
During this period the moon waxes from a very thin crescent phase to nearly half-illuminated by the end of the period. This week will be the best time of the month to view meteor activity as the moon will not interfere with morning observing.
During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Thursday September 1st. 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 a few hours before dawn.
The Perseids put on a fine show for those who traveled to rural locations to view the show.
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 15 for observers located in the northern hemisphere and 12 for observers located in tropical southern locations (25S).
The best night for viewing the Perseids will the morning of August 12th. This year rates could be up to twice as high compared to a normal Perseid display!
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 25 for observers located in the northern hemisphere and 27 for observers located in tropical southern locations (25S).
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 17 for observers located in the northern hemisphere and 19 for observers located in tropical southern locations (25S). Morning rates are reduced this week due to moonlight.
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 16 for those located at mid-northern latitudes and 13 for observers located in tropical southern locations .
American Meteor Society