Author Archives: Robert Lunsford

There have been reports of enhanced activity for the Eta Aquariid meteor shower on May 6th. Observers are encouraged to verify this activity by viewing these meteors during the last few hours before dawn this week. Be sure and let… Read More >

Eta Aquariid meteors as seen from mid-northern latitudes just before dawn The Eta Aquariids (ETA) are active between April 29 and May 20. The strongest activity may be seen near May 7, when rates can reach 25-30 meteors per hour… Read More >

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Thursday April 25th. At this time the moon is located opposite the sun and will lie above the horizon all night long. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set… Read More >

During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Wednesday April 17th. At this time the moon is located ninety degrees east of the sun and sets near 0100 local daylight time (LDT). This weekend the waxing crescent… Read More >

During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Wednesday April 10th. At this time the moon is located near the sun and is not visible at night. This weekend the waning crescent moon will rise during the late… Read More >

Meteor activity picks up a bit during April as the Lyrids become active during the month. They are active from the 18th through the 25th, with a pronounced maximum on the 22nd. Sporadic rates during April are steady as seen… Read More >

The American Meteor Society has received over 1200 reports of a bright meteor that occurred at 19:54 (7:54pm EDT) on Friday evening March 22, 2013. The witnesses range from along the Atlantic coast ranging from Maine to North Carolina. This… Read More >

During this period the moon reaches its full phase on Wednesday March 27th. At this time the moon is located opposite the sun and will be above the horizon the entire night. This weekend the waxing gibbous moon will set… Read More >

During this period the moon reaches its first quarter phase on Tuesday March 19th. At this time the moon is located ninety degrees east of the sun and will set near 0100 local daylight time (LDT) as seen from mid-northern… Read More >

During this period the moon reaches its new phase on Monday March 11th. At this time the moon is located near the sun and cannot be seen at night. Late in this period the waxing crescent moon will enter the… Read More >

As seen from the northern hemisphere, March is the slowest month for meteor activity. No major annual showers are active and only a few very weak minor showers produce activity this month. The sporadic rates are also near their annual… Read More >

Update 2/27/13 14:20 EST – The chart above, provided by Rob Matson, displays the reentry track for the Chinese rocket body CZ-4B. This rocket was launched on May 10, 2012, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in China. There is… Read More >