Author: Robert Lunsford

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.

During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Monday March 20. At this time the half-illuminated moon is located 90 degrees west of the sun and rises between midnight and 0100 local standard time (LST) as seen from mid-northern latitudes. The moon will interfere with meteor observing during this period if it lies within your field of view during observations. If you face away from the moon you will have better luck viewing meteor activity.

During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Saturday March 4. At this time the moon is located 90 degrees east of the sun and is located high in the sky at dusk. It will remain above the horizon until around 0100, when it sets on the northwestern horizon. The remaining hours of the night will remain moon-free and good for meteor viewing. As this period progresses the waxing gibbous moon will set approximately 45 later with each passing night. By the end of the period the nearly full moon will remain above the horizon nearly all night long.