Author: Robert Lunsford

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Tuesday September 21st. At that time the moon lies opposite the sun and remains above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the late morning hours, allowing only a limited opportunity to view under dark skies between moon set and dawn.

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Monday September 13th. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near 23:00 local summer time (LST). This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set during the late evening hours and will not interfere with meteor observing during the more active morning hours.

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Tuesday September 7th. At that time the moon lies near the sun and is invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise shortly before dawn and will not interfere with meteor observing. Late in this period the waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but again it will set near the end of dusk and will not interfere with meteor observing.

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Monday August 30th. At that time the moon lies 90 degrees west of the sun and rises near 23:00 local summer time (LST) on Sunday August 29th. During this period evening skies will be free of interfering moonlight, but morning observers must take care to avoid the moon within their field of view. The moon rises later with each passing night enlarging the window of opportunity to view meteor activity under darker skies.

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Sunday August 22nd. At that time the moon lies opposite the sun and remains above the horizon all night long. This is the worst time of the month to try and view meteor activity as the bright moon will obscure all but the brightest meteors. Later in the week there will be a short opportunity to view between dusk and moon rise, but meteor activity during this time is low.