Author: Robert Lunsford

During this period the moon’s phase will wane from full down to nearly half illuminated. This will be the worst week of the month to try and view meteor activity as the bright moon remain above the horizon nearly all night long and will obscure all but the brighter meteors.

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Friday June 9th. At that time the moon is located opposite the sun and will remain above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set during the early morning hours allowing a couple of hours of viewing under dark skies before morning twilight arrives.

During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Thursday June 1st. At that time the moon is located 90 degrees east of the sun and will set between 0100 and 0200, depending on your location. This weekend the waxing crescent moon will be present in the evening sky but will not interfere with meteor observing as it sets shortly after dusk.

During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Thursday May 25th. At that time the moon is located near the sun and is invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the early morning hours and will not interfere with meteor observing as long as one keeps the moon out of their field of view.

During this period the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Thursday May 18th. At that time the moon is located 90 degrees west of the sun and rises between 0100 and 0200 local summer time (LST). This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the early evening hours and will make viewing meteor activity difficult as the bright moonlight will obscure all but the brighter meteors.