Author: Robert Lunsford

During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Wednesday February 7th. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees west of the sun and rise near midnight for observers located at mid-northern latitudes. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the mid-evening hours making meteor viewing difficult the remainder of the night as the bright moon will obscure all but the brighter meteors.

During this period the moon will reach its first quarter phase on Wednesday January 24th. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near 01:00 local standard time (LST). This weekend the waxing crescent moon will lie in the western sky at dusk but will not interfere with meteor observing.

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.

During this period the moon will reach its full phase on Monday January 1st. At that time the moon will lie opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long as seen from mid-northern latitudes. This will be the worst time to try and view meteor activity as the bright moon will obscure all but the brighter meteors.