Archive: News

Viewing the Lyrids in 2021

The normal Lyrid display, seen under moonless conditions, usually offers a peak of around 10 meteors per hour in addition to the normal random meteor rate of about 5 per hour.

by - Apr 17, 2021 - 1

Meteor Activity Outlook for April 17-23, 2021

During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Tuesday April 20th. On this date the moon is located 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near 03:00 local daylight saving time (LDST). As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon will encroach into the late morning sky, limiting the opportunity to view under dark skies.

by - Apr 16, 2021 - 1

Meteor Activity Outlook for April 3-9, 2021

During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Sunday April 4th. On this date the moon is located 90 degrees west of the sun and rises near 3:00 local daylight saving time (LDST). As the week progresses the moon will rise later each night, providing a growing window of opportunity to view under dark skies between dusk and moonrise.

by - Apr 2, 2021 - 6

Meteor Activity Outlook for March 20-26, 2021

During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Sunday March 21st. On this date the moon is located 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near 02:00 local daylight saving time (LDST). As the week progresses the moon will interfere with the more active hours of the morning sky, especially toward dawn.

by - Mar 19, 2021 - 27

Meteor Activity Outlook for March 13-19, 2021

During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Saturday March 13th. On this date the moon is located near the sun and is invisible at night. Later in this period, a waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but will not interfere with meteor observing, especially during the more active morning hours.

by - Mar 12, 2021 - 29

Meteor Activity Outlook for February 6-12, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Thursday February 11th. On that date the moon is located near the sun and is invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent will rise during the early morning hours but will not cause any interference to viewing meteor activity as long as it is kept out of one’s field of view while observing.

by - Feb 5, 2021 - 11

Meteor Activity Outlook for January 30-February 05, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Thursday February 4th. At this time, the half-illuminated moon is located 90 degrees west of the sun, thus it will rise near 01:00 local standard time. This weekend the nearly full moon will rise just after the end of dusk and will lie above the horizon all night long. As lunar interference is present all night long, this is the worst time to try and view meteor activity as the lunar glare will obscure all but the brighter meteors.

by - Jan 29, 2021 -

Meteor Activity Outlook for December 26, 2020-January 1, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Tuesday December 29th. At this time, the moon is located opposite the sun in the sky and will lie above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the morning hours and will leave a small period of time to view under dark conditions between moon set and dawn.

by - Dec 25, 2020 - 4

Meteor Activity Outlook for December 19-25, 2020

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Tuesday December 22nd. At this time, the moon is located 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near midnight local standard time. This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set during the evening hours and will not interfere with viewing the stronger meteor activity that occurs during the morning hours.

by - Dec 18, 2020 -

Meteor Activity Outlook for December 12-18, 2020

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Monday December 14th. At this time, the moon is located near the sun and will be invisible at night. This weekend the slender waning crescent moon will rise at dawn and will not interfere with viewing meteor activity.

by - Dec 11, 2020 - 3

Viewing the Orionid Meteor Shower in 2020

This year the maximum activity for the Orionids is predicted to occur on the morning of October 21st, when up to 20 swift Orionid meteors should be visible per hour from rural locations away from city lights. Orionid meteors are not visible until after 22:00 (10pm) local daylight saving time as the source of these meteors...

by - Oct 13, 2020 - 3

Meteor Activity Outlook for September 12-18, 2020

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Thursday September 17th. At this time, the moon is located near the sun and is invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the early morning hours and will not be too much of a nuisance as long as you keep it out of your field of view while observing.

by - Sep 11, 2020 - 1

Viewing the 2020 September epsilon Perseids

Normally, the September epsilon Perseids meteor shower (SPE) produce a peak of around 5 meteors per hour at maximum. This year, with a 60 percent illuminated moon rising near 22:30 (10:30pm) local summer time, one could easily dismiss the probably of seeing anything extraordinary from this source.

by - Sep 8, 2020 - 4

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 29-September 4, 2020

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Thursday September 3rd. At this time, the moon is located opposite the sun and remains above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the early morning hours, allowing a short opportunity to view meteor activity prior to dawn.

by - Aug 28, 2020 - 4

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 8-14, 2020

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Tuesday August 11th. At this time, the moon is located 90 degrees west of the sun and rises between 23:00 and midnight local daylight saving time (LDST on August 10/11) . This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the late evening hours, allowing a short but dark glimpse of the early August activity between dusk and moonrise.

by - Aug 7, 2020 - 8