Author: Robert Lunsford

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Thursday February 4th. At this time, the half-illuminated moon is located 90 degrees west of the sun, thus it will rise near 01:00 local standard time. This weekend the nearly full moon will rise just after the end of dusk and will lie above the horizon all night long. As lunar interference is present all night long, this is the worst time to try and view meteor activity as the lunar glare will obscure all but the brighter meteors.

During this period, the moon reaches its full phase on Friday January 29th. At this time, the moon is located opposite the sun, thus it will rise as the sun sets and set as the sun rises. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon...

During this period, the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Thursday January 21st. At this time, the moon is located 90 degrees east of the sun in the sky and sets near 0100 local standard time. This weekend the waxing...

During this period, the moon reaches its new phase on Wednesday January 13th. At this time, the moon is located near the sun in the sky and is invisible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the early morning hours but will not interfere with viewing meteor activity as long as you keep it out of your field of view while observing.

During this period, the moon reaches its last quarter phase on Wednesday January 6th. At this time, the moon is located 90 degrees west of the sun in the sky and will rise near midnight standard time. This weekend the waning gibbous moon will rise during the evening hours and will make it difficult to view any meteor activity the remainder of the night.