65 Search Results for comets

Viewing the 2023 Quadrantid Meteor Shower

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.

by - Dec 27, 2022 -

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 6-12, 2022

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Friday August 12th. At that time the moon is located 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 allowing a couple of hours to view meteor activity prior to dawn.

by - Aug 5, 2022 -

Meteor Activity Outlook for July 30-August 5, 2022

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Friday August 5th. At that time the moon is located 90 degrees east of the sun and sets 23:30 (on August 4th) Local Daylight Saving Time (LDST). This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set during the early evening hours and will be long gone below the horizon, by the time the more active morning hours arrive.

by - Jul 29, 2022 - 1

Meteor Activity Outlook for February 5-11, 2022

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Tuesday February 8th. At that time the moon lies near 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near 01:00 local standard time. 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.

by - Feb 4, 2022 - 3

Meteor Activity Outlook for January 29-February 4, 2022

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Monday January 31st. At that time the moon lies near the sun and is invisible at night. This weekend the thin crescent moon will rise just before dawn, therefore it will not interfere with meteor observing at this time. The moon will re-enter the evening sky later this week but will set soon after dusk. Again, it will not interfere with meteor observing.

by - Jan 28, 2022 - 4

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 14-20, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Sunday August 15th. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near 23:00 local daylight saving time (on Aug. 14). As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon sets later and later, diminishing the available time of dark sky with each passing night.

by - Aug 13, 2021 - 2

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 7-13, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Sunday August 8th. At that time the moon lies near the sun and is invisible at night. As the week progresses the waxing crescent moon enters the evening sky but will set before the more active morning hours arrive.

by - Aug 6, 2021 - 3

Meteor Activity Outlook for July 31-August 6, 2021

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Saturday July 31st. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees west of the sun and rises near midnight local daylight saving time (on August 1st). As the week progresses the waning crescent moon rises later each morning, allowing a better view of the active morning sky as glare from the moon subsides.

by - Jul 30, 2021 - 4

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 August 22-28, 2020

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Wednesday August 26th. At this time, the moon is located 90 degrees east of the sun and sets between midnight and 0100 local daylight saving time (LDST). This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set during the early evening hours and will not interfere with the more active morning hours.

by - Aug 21, 2020 - 3

Meteor Activity Outlook for August 15-21, 2020

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Wednesday August 19th. 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 but will be too thin to interfere with meteor observing.

by - Aug 14, 2020 -

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

Meteor Activity Outlook for July 25-31, 2020

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Monday July 27th. At this time, the moon is located 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near midnight. This weekend the more active morning sky will be totally free of interfering moonlight. As the week progresses though, only the few hours just prior to dawn will provide dark skies.

by - Jul 25, 2020 - 2