American Meteor Society
Meteor Activity Outlook for February 29-March 06, 2020
Annie MacDonald was attempting to photograph aurora from Culduie, Scotland, on February 17, 2020, when a bright meteor streaked though…
Tag Archive: pennsylvania
Fast Fireball caught over Arizona on February 26th
Nearly 50 reports so far The AMS received nearly 50 reports so far about a fireball event that occurred over…
Meteor Activity Outlook for February 22-28, 2020
Gideon Holtz captured this brilliant fireball on February 16, 2020 at 20:31 MST (03:31 Universal Time February 16) from Seligman,…
Meteor Activity Outlook for February 15-21, 2020
During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Saturday February 15th. At this time the moon will lie 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near 01:00 local standard time (LST). These conditions are fine for the slow evening hours when the moon lies below the horizon. The more active morning hours will have interference from the moon but one can still obtain useful data as long you face away from the lunar glare. As the week progresses the waning crescent moon will rise later in the morning, allowing less interference during these more active hours.
Meteor Activity Outlook for February 8-14, 2020
During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Sunday February 9th. At this time the moon will lie opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long. As the week progresses the waning gibbous moon will rise later in the evening, allowing dark skies for a few hours during the early evening hours. Unfortunately this is the worst time to view meteor activity as rates are only 1-2 per hour at best.
Meteor Activity Outlook for February 01-07, 2020
During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Sunday February 2nd. At this time the moon will lie 90 degrees east of the sun and will set between midnight and 01:00 local standard time (LST). As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon will enter the morning sky, shrinking the window of opportunity to view meteor activity under dark skies.
Fireball caught on AllSky6 camera over SoCal
A space debris reentry occurred over SoCal on Jan. 29th (PST - Jan 30 UT). This event has been reported by at least 60 witnesses and it has been caught on a AllSky6 camera by one of our operator
Meteor Activity Outlook for January 25-31, 2020
During this period the moon waxes from new to nearly half-illuminated. This weekend the moon will lie near the sun and will be invisible at night. As the week progresses the waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but set long before the more active morning hours arrive.
Bright fireball flashes over Cyprus on January 21st, 2020
185 reports so far (and many videos) about this 100t TNT event seen from Cyprus, Lebanon and Israel.
Meteor Activity Outlook for January 18-24 , 2020
During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Saturday January 18th. At this time the half illuminated moon will rise near 0100 local standard time (LST) and will remain in the sky the remainder of the night. Useful meteor observations are possible at this time as long as the bright moon is kept out of your field of view. Lunar conditions will improve with each passing night as the moon wanes and rises later in the morning.
Meteor Activity Outlook for January 11-17, 2020
Our favorite artist Michel Deconinck shares his impression of the 2020 Quadrantid meteor shower as seen on the morning of…
New Year Meteorite recovered in Italy
So far, two 55g meteorites have been recovered from a fall that happened over Italy on January, 1st. This fall has been caught on video by the French/Italian fireball camera network Vigie-Ciel/FRIPON & PRISMA.
Meteor Activity Outlook for January 04-10, 2020
During this period the moon waxes from a half-illuminated phase to nearly full. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the early morning, allowing a few hours of viewing under dark skies.
Viewing the 2020 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.
Meteor Activity Outlook for December 28, 2019 – January 03, 2020
Samer Hariri captured this flaring fireball on December 23, 2019 at 18:58 EST from Northville, Michigan USA. ©Samer Hariri During…
Meteor Activity Outlook for December 21-27, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Thursday December 26th. At this time the moon will be located 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 as long as you keep it out of your field of view.
Viewing the Ursid Meteor Shower in 2019
The Ursids are active from December 19-24 with a sharp maximum on December 22nd. Conditions are favorable for viewing the Ursids in 2019 as the moon’s phase will be a waning crescent situated in the constellation of Libra...
Meteor Activity Outlook for December 14-20, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Thursday December 19th. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near 01:00 local standard time (LST). This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the late evening hours and will make it difficult to view any meteor activity.
Viewing the Geminid Meteor Shower in 2019
Everything you need to know to enjoy the most dependable meteor shower of the year (despite the moon)...
Meteor Activity Outlook for December 7-13, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Thursday December 12th. At this time the moon will be located opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set a couple of hours before dawn allowing a quick session under dark skies before the onset of dawn.
Meteor Activity Outlook for November 30 – December 6, 2019
During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Wednesday December 4th. At this time the moon will be located 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near 02:00 Local Summer Time (LST). This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set near midnight allowing the more active morning hours to be free of interfering moonlight.