This will be the worst time to try and view meteor activity as the bright moon will obscure all but the brighter meteors. 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 10 as seen from mid-northern latitudes and 7 from the southern tropics.
During this period the moon will reach its first quarter phase on Tuesday December 26th. At that time the half-illuminated moon will lie 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near midnight local standard time (LST) as seen from mid-northern latitudes. As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon will set later in the morning as the window of opportunity to view under dark conditions diminishes.
The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 5 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 4 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S). For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 23...
The Geminid meteor shower is the favorite of most meteor observers as it usually provides the strongest display of the year. On the peak night (December 13/14) between the hours of 1:00 and 2:00am local standard time (LST), an observer located in mid-northern latitudes under clear skies has the opportunity to view at least 75 Geminid meteors.
For morning observers the estimated total meteor hourly rates should be near 32 as seen from mid-northern latitudes and 22 from the southern tropics this week!
The AMS has received over 55 reports so far about of a fireball event seen above Florida on December 5th, 2017 around 6:35pm EST (11:35 Universal Time). This event has been caught on tape by at least 2 witnesses.
The AMS has received over 120 reports so far about of a fireball event seen above Pennsylvania on December 2nd, 2017 around 03:10am EST (08:10 Universal Time). The fireball was seen primarily from Pennsylvania but was also seen from 12 other states.
American Meteor Society
