Author: Robert Lunsford

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.

During this period the moon will reach its first quarter phase on Tuesday December 26th. At that time the half-illuminated moon will lie 90 degrees east of the sun and will set near midnight local standard time (LST) as seen from mid-northern latitudes. As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon will set later in the morning as the window of opportunity to view under dark conditions diminishes.

During this period the moon will reach its last quarter phase on Sunday December 10th. 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. As the week progresses the waning moon will rise even later in the morning creating better viewing conditions.

During this period the moon will reach its full phase on Sunday December 3rd. At that time the moon will lie opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long as seen from the northern hemisphere. Later in this period the moon will rise during the late evening hours allowing a few hours of observing under dark skies between dusk and moon rise.