Activity Outlook

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Sunday June 23th. At this time the moon is located opposite the sun and remains above the horizon for most of the night. As the week progresses the waning gibbous moon will rise later and later but will still be high in the sky during the more active morning hours, reducing the number of meteors to be seen. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near two as seen from the northern hemisphere and three as seen from south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near four as seen from the northern hemisphere and six as seen from the southern hemisphere.

During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Sunday June 16th. At this time the half-illuminated moon is located ninety degrees east of the sun and is in the sky from dusk through 0100 local daylight time (LDT). As the week progresses the waxing gibbous moon will set later and later, encroaching on the more active morning hours and reducing the number of meteors to be seen. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near two as seen from the northern hemisphere and three as seen from south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near nine as seen from the northern hemisphere and thirteen as seen from the southern hemisphere.

During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Saturday June 8th. At this time the moon is located near the sun and is not visible at night. As the week progresses the waxing crescent moon will enter the evening sky but will set long before the more productive morning hours arrive. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near three as seen from the northern hemisphere and four as seen from south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near eight as seen from the northern hemisphere and fourteen as seen from the southern hemisphere.

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Saturday the 25th. At this time the moon will rise shortly after dusk and set shortly before dawn as seen from mid-northern latitudes. With the full moon in the sky nearly all night, this weekend will be a poor time to try and view meteor activity. Circumstances improve slightly as the moon wanes and rises later with each passing night. Unfortunately the moon will still be above the horizon during the more active morning hours during this entire period. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near two as seen from the northern hemisphere and three as seen from south of the equator.

During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Saturday the 18th. At this time the half-illuminated moon will set near 0100 local daylight time (LDT), allowing the remainder of the night to be free of interfering moonlight. As the week progresses this window of dark sky shrinks as the moon sets later with each passing night. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near one as seen from the northern hemisphere and two as seen from south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near seven as seen from the northern hemisphere and fifteen as seen from the southern hemisphere.

During this period the moon waxes from its new phase to nearly fifty percent illuminated. This will limit moonlight to the evening hours during the first portion of this period and up to 2am by Friday May 17. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near two as seen from the northern hemisphere and three as seen from south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near thirteen as seen from the northern hemisphere and twenty as seen from the southern hemisphere. The actual rates will also depend on factors such as personal light and motion perception, local weather conditions, alertness and experience in watching meteor activity.