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Meteor Activity Outlook for January 26- February 1, 2019

by - Jan 25, 2019 - 1

During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Sunday January 27th. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near midnight local standard time (LST) as seen from mid-northern latitudes. As the week progresses the waning crescent moon will rise later in the morning, allowing a longer window to watch meteor activity under dark skies.

Meteor Activity Outlook for January 19-25, 2019

During this period the moon will reach its full phase on Monday January 21st. At this time the moon will be located opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long as seen from mid-northern latitudes. The bright moon will make viewing meteor activity difficult during this entire period.

by - Jan 18, 2019 - 2

Meteor Activity Outlook for January 12-18, 2019

During this period the moon will reach its first quarter phase on Monday January 14th. At this time the moon will be located 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, encroaching on the more active morning hours.

by - Jan 11, 2019 - 1

Bright Fireball over the East Coast

The AMS has received over 575 reports so far about of a bright ireball seen above the Northern West Coast area on January 9th, 2019 around 6:35am EST (11:35 Universal Time). The event was seen from Connecticut to North Carolina.

by - Jan 9, 2019 - 43

Meteor Activity Outlook for December 29, 2018-January 4, 2019

During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Saturday December 29th. At this time the half-illuminated moon will rise near midnight local standard time and will remain above the horizon the remainder of the night. Under these conditions successful meteor sessions can be held as long as you face away from the moon.

by - Dec 29, 2018 - 2

Latest Major Fireball Events

Everyday, we receive reports about fireballs from all around the world. Here are some of the latest major Fireball Events (with at least 30 reports):

    Browse all events Report a Fireball

    Pending Fireball Reports

    We are currently investigating 4 reports about fireballs seen over Ohio, WA, IA and Washington.

    We are also currently investigating 5 reports from Belgium, Brazil, France and Puerto Rico.

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    Dan Bush
    Credit: Dan Bush

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    Credit: J. Gresham

    2018 was a pretty good year for AMS

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    Viewing the 2019 Quadrantid Meteor Shower

    by - Dec 28, 2018 - 3

    The Earth encounters Quadrantid meteors from December 22 through January 17. Rates are extremely low away from the January 4 maximum. For 2019, the maximum is expected to occur near 02:30 Universal Time (UT) on January 4.

    Meteor Activity Outlook for December 22-28, 2018

    by - Dec 21, 2018 - 1

    During this period the moon will reach its full phase on Saturday December 22nd. At this time the moon will lie above the horizon all night long for observers in the northern hemisphere. This will make viewing meteor activity difficult at the very least.

    Bright Fireball over San Francisco Bay

    by - Dec 20, 2018 - 6

    The AMS has received over 120 reports so far about of a fireball seen above the San Francisco area on December 19th, 2018 around 5:35am PST (Nov. 20th 01:35 Universal Time). The event was seen primarily from Northern California but was also seen from Nevada and Oregon.

    Meteor Activity Outlook for December 15-21, 2018

    by - Dec 14, 2018 - 1

    During this period the moon will reach its first quarter phase on Saturday December 15th. At this time the half-illuminated moon will set between 11-12am local standard time for observers in mid-northern latitudes. This will compromise evening observations of meteors but the more active morning hours will be unaffected. As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon will set later and later, limiting the time of truly dark sky to the hours just before dawn.

    Meteor Activity Outlook for December 8-14, 2018

    by - Dec 9, 2018 - 6

    During this period the moon will wax from a slender crescent phase to nearly half illuminated. This will be a great time to view meteor activity as the moon will have set by the time the more active morning hours arrive. The moon will be present during the evening hours but successful meteor observing is still possible during this time by simply keeping the moon out of your field of view.

    Viewing the Geminid Meteor Shower in 2018

    by - Dec 7, 2018 - 3

    Year in and year out the Geminids are currently the most dependable meteor shower. Unfortunately, they are active in December when temperatures are often cold and skies cloudy in the northern hemisphere. If this shower peaked in August it would be much more popular, but the radiant would then lie much closer to the sun and Geminid meteors would only be visible in the few hours preceding dawn.