Month: June 2018

Meteor season finally gets going in July for the northern hemisphere. The first half of the month will be much like June with predominately slow rates. After the 15th though, both sporadic and shower rates increase...

During this period the moon will reach it’s full phase on Thursday June 28th. At that time the moon will be located opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon most of the night. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set prior to dawn allowing a short look at the morning activity before the sky becomes too bright for viewing.

During this period the moon will reach it’s first quarter phase on Wednesday June 20th. At that time the moon will be located 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near 0100 local daylight saving time (LDT). This will cause interference with evening meteor viewing but the more active morning hours will be free of moonlight. This weekend the waxing crescent moon will set prior to midnight allowing good views of the morning activity.

During this period the moon will reach it’s new phase on Wednesday June 13th. At that time the moon will be located near the sun and will be invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the late morning hours but should not interfere with viewing meteor activity as long as you keep the moon out of your field of view.