During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Tuesday March 24th. At this time the moon lies near the sun and will be invisible at night. This is the best time of the month to view meteor activity as there will be no lunar interference.
During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Monday March 16th. At this time the moon lies 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near 02:00 local daylight saving time (LDST). This weekend the moon will interfere greatly with viewing meteor activity during the active morning hours. As the week progresses the moon will become less of a factor and successful meteor observing can be undertaken if the moon is kept well out of one’s field of view.
During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Monday March 9th. At this time the moon is positioned opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long. Successful meteor observing can be attempted this weekend during the short period between moon set and dawn. The remainder of the week the moon will interfere with meteor observing all night long.
Annie MacDonald was attempting to photograph aurora from Culduie, Scotland, on February 17, 2020, when a bright meteor streaked though…
Gideon Holtz captured this brilliant fireball on February 16, 2020 at 20:31 MST (03:31 Universal Time February 16) from Seligman,…
During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Saturday February 15th. At this time the moon will lie 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near 01:00 local standard time (LST). These conditions are fine for the slow evening hours when the moon lies below the horizon. The more active morning hours will have interference from the moon but one can still obtain useful data as long you face away from the lunar glare. As the week progresses the waning crescent moon will rise later in the morning, allowing less interference during these more active hours.
During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Sunday February 9th. At this time the moon will lie opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long. As the week progresses the waning gibbous moon will rise later in the evening, allowing dark skies for a few hours during the early evening hours. Unfortunately this is the worst time to view meteor activity as rates are only 1-2 per hour at best.
During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Sunday February 2nd. At this time the moon will lie 90 degrees east of the sun and will set between midnight and 01:00 local standard time (LST). As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon will enter the morning sky, shrinking the window of opportunity to view meteor activity under dark skies.
A space debris reentry occurred over SoCal on Jan. 29th (PST - Jan 30 UT). This event has been reported by at least 60 witnesses and it has been caught on a AllSky6 camera by one of our operator
During this period the moon waxes from new to nearly half-illuminated. This weekend the moon will lie near the sun and will be invisible at night. As the week progresses the waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but set long before the more active morning hours arrive.
During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Saturday January 18th. At this time the half illuminated moon will rise near 0100 local standard time (LST) and will remain in the sky the remainder of the night. Useful meteor observations are possible at this time as long as the bright moon is kept out of your field of view. Lunar conditions will improve with each passing night as the moon wanes and rises later in the morning.
Our favorite artist Michel Deconinck shares his impression of the 2020 Quadrantid meteor shower as seen on the morning of…
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.
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.
Samer Hariri captured this flaring fireball on December 23, 2019 at 18:58 EST from Northville, Michigan USA. ©Samer Hariri During…
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.
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...
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.
Everything you need to know to enjoy the most dependable meteor shower of the year (despite the moon)...
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.
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.
American Meteor Society