Author: Robert Lunsford

During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Friday March 9th. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees west of the sun and will rise near 0100 local standard time. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise shortly after dusk and will effectively ruin any chances of useful meteor observations the remainder of the night.

During this period the moon will reach its full phase on Thursday March 1st. At that time the moon will lie opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set shortly after midnight allowing the meteor observer to view under dark conditions the remainder of the night. This window of opportunity will shorten by about an hour with each passing night until the moon lies above the horizon all night long later in the week.

During this period the moon will reach its first quarter phase on Friday February 23rd. At that time the moon will lie 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near 0100 local standard time (LST). This weekend the waxing crescent moon will lie low in the western sky at dusk and will not interfere with meteor observing.

During this period the moon will reach its new phase on Thursday February 15. 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 late morning...

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.