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.
Nicolas Rossetto captured this colorful fireball at 00:20 UT on July 31, 2022 (2:20 CEST), from Saint-Thiébaud, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France. This…
The Ursids are active from December 13-24 with a sharp maximum on December 22nd.
During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Friday December 23rd. At that time the moon will lie near the sun and will be invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the early morning hours but should not interfere with meteor observing as long as you keep it out of your field of view.
During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Friday December 16th. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near midnight local standard time (LST). This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the late evening hours, allowing a short window of opportunity to view under dark sky conditions between moonrise and dusk.
Year in and year out the Geminids are currently the most dependable meteor shower.
During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Thursday December 8th. At that time the moon will lie 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 and will provide a short window of opportunity to view under dark sky conditions between moonset and dawn.
During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Thursday November 30th. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near 2300 local standard time (LST) on November 29th. This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set during the early evening hours and will not interfere with meteor observing during the more active morning hours.
During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Wednesday November 23rd. At that time the moon will lie near the sun and will be invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the late morning hours and can be easily avoided by keeping it out of your field of view.
The Leonids are remnants of comet 55P Tempel-Tuttle, which last passed through the inner solar system in 1998. The comet has just passed its farthest point from the sun and is now on its inbound leg of its journey around the sun. It is expected to be closest to the sun again in 2031.
During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Wednesday November 16th. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near 2300 local standard time (LST) on the 15th. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the mid-evening hours, allowing a window of opportunity to view under dark conditions between the end of dusk and moon rise.
On July 21, 2022, Matthew Maingay was photographing the Milky Way from Lake Tekapo, South Island, New Zealand, when he…
On July 21, 2022, Greg Price was photographing the night sky from Richmond, South Island, New Zealand, hoping to capture…
The annual Taurid meteor shower usually does not inspire too much excitement as each branch (North & South) rarely produce more than 5 shower members per hour at maximum. They are usually in the background for those viewing the more potent Orionid meteor shower, providing a few nice slow meteors in contrast to the swift Orionids. This year could be different though as the southern branch of the Taurids is predicted to produce an increasing number of meteors this year.
During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Tuesday October 25th. At that time 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 will be so thin and will set so early that it will not interfere with meteor observing. This weekend the moon will rise just prior to dawn and will not interfere with meteor observing.
During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Monday October 17th. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near 23:00 (11pm) local Daylight Saving Time (LDST). As the week progresses the waning crescent moon will rise later with each passing morning, allowing viewing conditions to improve as the week progresses. This weekend the evening hours will be free of interfering moonlight. The morning hours will have a bright moon, but one can still observe meteor activity by facing away from the moon, avoiding the bright moonlight from ruining your night vision.
Each October the Earth passes through the inbound debris of Halley's Comet to produce the Orionid Meteor Shower. Activity is usually low until mid-month, when we pass closer to the core of these orbits.
During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Sunday October 9th. At that 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 each evening, allowing a window of opportunity to observe meteor activity in dark skies between dusk and moon rise.
During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Monday October 2nd. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees east of the sun and will be set between 22:00 and 23:00 local daylight saving time (LDST). As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon will begin to seriously interfere with meteor observing as it approaches its full phase. This weekend, the morning hours will be free of interfering moonlight.
During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Sunday September 25th. At that time 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 will set long before the more active morning hours arrive.
During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Saturday September 17th. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise between 2300 and midnight. As the week progresses the waning crescent moon will rise later in the morning, providing a longer window of dark skies with each passing night.
American Meteor Society