Author: Robert Lunsford

During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Wednesday April 26th. At this time the moon is located near the sun and is not visible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will not interfere with meteor observations as long as you face away from the moon. The slender moon will rise only a couple of hours before the sun plus the moonlight is only a fraction as bright as it was last week.

During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Wednesday April 19th. At this time the half illuminated moon is located 90 degrees west of the sun and rises near 0200 local summer time (LST) as seen from mid-northern latitudes. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will interfere with meteor observations as the bright moonlight will obscure all but the brighter meteors. As the week progresses the conditions improve with each passing night as the moon’s phase wanes and it rises approximately 45 minutes later with each passing night.

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Monday April 10th. At this time the moon is located opposite the sun and remains above the horizon all night long. This is the worst time of the month to try an view meteor activity as the bright moon will obscure all but the brightest meteors. Late in the period the hours just after dusk are free of moonlight but rates at this time are normally very low.

During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Monday April 3rd. At this time the half illuminated moon is located 90 degrees east of the sun and sets near 0300 local summer time (LST) as seen from mid-northern latitudes. This weekend is good for viewing meteor activity during the more productive morning hours as the moon will have set shortly after midnight. As the week progresses the window of opportunity to view under dark skies shrinks with each passing night as the moon sets later and later.

During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Monday March 27. At this time the moon is located near the sun and is invisible at night. The moon will enter the evening sky later in this period but will not interfere with meteor observing.