Author: Robert Lunsford

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Wednesday November 16th. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise between 2200 and 2300 local standard time (LST) on the 15th. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the mid-evening hours, allowing a window of opportunity to view under dark conditions between the end of dusk and moon rise.

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Tuesday November 8th. At that time the moon will lie opposite the sun and will be in the sky all night long.

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Tuesday November 1st. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near  22:00 local standard time (LST) on October 31st. As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon will shrink the window of dark sky between moon set and dawn to about two hours by the end of the period. This weekend the moon will during the evening hours and will not interfere with meteor observing.

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Tuesday October 25th. At that time 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 will be so thin and will set so early that it will not interfere with meteor observing. This weekend the moon will rise just prior to dawn and will not interfere with meteor observing.

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Monday October 17th. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise between 22:00-23:00 local Summer time (LST). As the week progresses the waning crescent moon will rise later with each passing morning, allowing viewing conditions to improve as the week progresses. This weekend the evening hours will be free of interfering moonlight. The morning hours will have a bright moon, but one can still observe meteor activity by facing away from the moon, avoiding the bright moonlight from ruining your night vision.