American Meteor Society
Meteor Activity Outlook for January 11-17, 2020
Our favorite artist Michel Deconinck shares his impression of the 2020 Quadrantid meteor shower as seen on the morning of…
Meteor News
New Year Meteorite recovered in Italy
So far, two 55g meteorites have been recovered from a fall that happened over Italy on January, 1st. This fall has been caught on video by the French/Italian fireball camera network Vigie-Ciel/FRIPON & PRISMA.
Meteor Activity Outlook for January 04-10, 2020
During this period the moon waxes from a half-illuminated phase to nearly full. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the early morning, allowing a few hours of viewing under dark skies.
Viewing the 2020 Quadrantid Meteor Shower
The Quadrantids can be one of the strongest displays of the year, yet they are difficult to observe. The main factor is that the display of strong activity only has a duration of about 6 hours. The reason the peak is so short is due to the shower's thin stream of particles and the fact that the Earth crosses the stream at a perpendicular angle.
Meteor Activity Outlook for December 28, 2019 – January 03, 2020
Samer Hariri captured this flaring fireball on December 23, 2019 at 18:58 EST from Northville, Michigan USA. ©Samer Hariri During…
Meteor Activity Outlook for December 21-27, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Thursday December 26th. 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 during the early morning hours but will not interfere with meteor observing as long as you keep it out of your field of view.
Viewing the Ursid Meteor Shower in 2019
The Ursids are active from December 19-24 with a sharp maximum on December 22nd. Conditions are favorable for viewing the Ursids in 2019 as the moon’s phase will be a waning crescent situated in the constellation of Libra...
Meteor Activity Outlook for December 14-20, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Thursday December 19th. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near 01:00 local standard time (LST). This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the late evening hours and will make it difficult to view any meteor activity.
Viewing the Geminid Meteor Shower in 2019
Everything you need to know to enjoy the most dependable meteor shower of the year (despite the moon)...
Meteor Activity Outlook for December 7-13, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Thursday December 12th. 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 a couple of hours before dawn allowing a quick session under dark skies before the onset of dawn.
Meteor Activity Outlook for November 30 – December 6, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Wednesday December 4th. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near 02:00 Local Summer Time (LST). This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set near midnight allowing the more active morning hours to be free of interfering moonlight.
Meteor Activity Outlook for November 23-29, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Wednesday November 27th. 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 during the morning hours but will not affect meteor observations as long as you keep it out of your field of view.
Alpha Monocerotid Outburst in 2019?
Well known meteor scientists Peter Jenniskens and Esko Lyytinen have predicted that there may be an outburst of the alpha Monocertoid meteor shower on the night of November 21/22, 2019.
Meteor Activity Outlook for November 16-22, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Wednesday November 20th. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near 0200 local standard time. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise just before midnight, ruining the sky for meteor observers the remainder of the night. Only late in the period will the moon allow meteor observers to achieve decent limiting magnitudes during the morning hours. One could always view during the moonless evening hours but rates are low at this time.
Fireball spotted over Missouri on Nov. 11th, 2019
We received numerous reports and videos from a bright fireball spotted over St Louis, MO on November 11th.
Meteor Activity Outlook for November 9-15, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Tuesday November 12th. 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 sets just before dawn allowing some observing before dawn to view under dark conditions.
Meteor Activity Outlook for November 2-8, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Monday November 4th. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near 0200 local summer time. With each passing night the dark window between moon set and dawn shrinks so by next weekend there is little time for viewing in a dark sky.
Viewing the Taurids in 2019
At maximum activity the Taurid radiants are located in western Taurus near the well known star cluster called the Pleiades.…
Meteor Activity Outlook for October 26-November 1, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Sunday October 27th. At this time the moon will be located near the sun and will be invisible at night. Late in this period the waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but will not interfere with meteor observing.
Viewing the Orionids in 2019
The Orionids The Orionids, like all meteor showers, are named after the constellation in which they appear to come from,…
Meteor Activity Outlook for October 19-25, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Monday October 21st. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near 0200 local daylight saving time (LDST). This weekend the waning gibbous moon will interfere with morning observations. Evening skies will be dark until moonrise near midnight local summer time (LST). Conditions will improve with each passing night as the moon wanes and rise later during the morning hours.