The eta Aquariids (ETA) are active between April 23 and May 20. The strongest activity is usually seen near May 7, when rates can reach 25-30 meteors per hour as seen from the tropical areas of the Earth.
During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Tuesday May 2nd. At this time the half illuminated moon is located 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near 0200 local daylight saving time (LDST) as seen from mid-northern latitudes. This weekend the waxing crescent moon will interfere with meteor observations during the evening hours but will have set by the time midnight arrives. This will allow good meteor viewing conditions for the remainder of the night.
The slender moon will rise only a couple of hours before the sun plus the moonlight is only a fraction as bright as it was last week. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 3 for those viewing from the northern hemisphere and 4 for those located south of the equator.
During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Wednesday April 19th. At this time the half illuminated moon is located 90 degrees west of the sun and rises near 0200 local daylight time (LDT) as seen from mid-northern latitudes. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will interfere with meteor observations as the bright moonlight will obscure all but the brighter meteors. As the week progresses the conditions improve with each passing night as the moon's phase wanes and it rises approximately 45 minutes later with each passing night.
After three months of low rates, April ushers in two major showers (Lyrids and eta Aquariids) and a temporary upswing in meteor activity. The first of these showers is the Lyrids, which are active from April 18 through the 25th. Activity for this shower is low away from the peak night which expected to occur on Friday evening /Saturday morning April 21/22.
The AMS has received 315 reports so far about of a fireball event seen across South Carolina on Wednesday, April 12th 2017 around 8:45pm EDT (April 13th – 00:45 UT.). The fireball was seen primarily from the South Carolina area but witnesses from several states around also reported the event.
The AMS has received 525 reports so far (and counting…) about of a fireball event over seen over San Diego, CA on Monday, April 10th 2017 around 9:00pm PDT (April 11th - 04:00 UT.). The fireball was seen primarily from the San Diego area but witnesses from Los Angeles, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico also reported the event.
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 4 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 6 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S). Rates are reduced during this period due to lunar interference.
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.
The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 3 for those viewing from the northern hemisphere and 4 for those located south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 7 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 11 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S).
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 6 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 9 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S). Morning rates are reduced by moonlight during this period.
The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 3 for those viewing from the northern hemisphere and 5 for those located south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 7 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 16 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S).
As seen from the northern hemisphere, March is the slowest month for meteor activity. There is not much to look forward to this month except for the evening fireballs that seem to peak this time of year!
The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 3 for those viewing from the northern hemisphere and 4 for those located south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 7 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 14 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S)
The AMS has received 63 reports so far about of a fireball event over seen over Pennsylvania on Tuesday, February 14th 2017 around 08:32pm EST (Feb 15th - 01:39 UT.). After a fairly extensive investigation, we came to the conclusion that it wasn't Cupidon but a nice and bright meteor.
This weekend the bright moon will make meteor observing extremely difficult as all but the brighter meteors will be obscured by the lunar glare. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 5 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 9 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S).
Monday, February 6th 2017, was a busy day for the American Meteor Society team. We received tens of thousands of visits on our website and even more on our Facebook page, Twitter account and Youtube account. Today, we are still receiving reports about...
The AMS has received 467eports so far about of a fireball event over seen over Wisconsin on Monday, February 6th 2017 around 01:25CST (07:25 UT.). The green fireball was seen primarily from Illinois and Wisconsin but witnesses from Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, New York, Kentucky, Minessota and Ontario (Canada) also reported the event.
This weekend the half-illuminated moon will set near 0200, allowing the remainder of the morning to be moon-free and prime time for meteor observing. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 10 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 15 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S).
During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Saturday January 28th. At this time the moon will be invisible in the night sky and will not hinder meteor observers at all. Later the in the period the waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but will set long before the more active morning hours arrive.
We received 25 reports so far about of a fireball event over seen over North Carolina and South Carolina on Wednesday, January 25th 2017 around 04:15 EST (09:15 UT.). The fireball was seen primarily from North and South Carolina.
American Meteor Society