February offers the meteor observer in the northern hemisphere a couple of weak showers plus falling sporadic rates. This may not seem too exiting but you never know when surprises are in store. An errant earthgrazer from the Centaurid complex may shoot northward...
For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 8 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 9 from the southern tropics (25S). The actual rates will also depend on factors such as...
The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is 3 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 4 from the southern tropics (25S) . For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 11 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 12 from the southern tropics (25S).
The AMS has received over 610 reports so far about of a fireball event seen above Michigan on January 16th, 2018 around 08:10pm EST (January 17th 01:10 Universal Time). The fireball was seen primarily from Michigan but was also seen from Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and Ontario (Canada).
During this period the moon will reach its new phase on Wednesday January 17th. 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 will not interfere with meteor observing.
During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Monday January 8th. At that time the half-illuminated moon will lie 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near midnight local standard time (LST) as seen from mid-northern latitudes. This weekend the bright gibbous moon will lie in the sky from about 2200 LST onward. This is make viewing meteor activity difficult as the bright moon will obscure all bu the brighter meteors. As the moon passes last quarter on Tuesday, conditions improve with each passing night. The moon's phase will shrink each night plus the moon will rise later and later.
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.
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 15...
During this period the moon will reach its first quarter phase on Sunday November 26th. At this time the half-illuminated moon will lie 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near 2300 (11pm) local standard time (LST). The moon will interfere with evening observing but will set before the more active morning hours arrive. Toward the end of this period the waxing gibbous moon will remain in the sky most of the night, obscuring all but the brighter meteors.
During this period the moon will reach its new phase on Saturday November 18th. At this time the moon will lie near the sun and will be invisible at night. Next week the waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but will not interfere with meteor observing.
The AMS has received over 1320 fireball reports about 4 different events that occurred over the US, France and Germany. Two events can linked to the Taurid meteor shower.
The AMS has received over 200 reports so far about of a fireball event seen above NY State on November 11th, 2017 around 09:20pm EST (02:20 Universal Time). The fireball was seen primarily from New York and Pennsylvania but was also seen from Michigan, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, West Virginia, Vermont and Ontario and Québec (Canada).
During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Saturday November 11th. At this time the half-illuminated moon will rise near midnight local standard time (LST) and will remain above the horizon the remainder of the night. The moon will be bright but successful meteor watches can be conducted if you face away from the lunar glare. Viewing circumstances improve with each passing night as the moon's phase wanes and it rises later in the morning.
Since 2011, the American Meteor Society (AMS) online fireball report form has been translated in 30 different languages. We now receive thousands of reports from all around the world. Lately, we received more than 120 reports about a Fireball event that occurred over South East of France (Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur) on October, 30th.
As the week progresses the evening hours become more favorable for viewing as the moon rises later in the night. Unfortunately the evening hours are usually slow with rates rarely surpassing 5 per hour. This is a good time to try an catch a bright Taurid meteor or perhaps a rare Andromedid!
American Meteor Society