Fireball Sunday

During this period the moon starts out just slightly less than half illuminated and wanes down to a thin sliver, rising just before the sun. This weekend the moon rises near 0100 as seen from mid-northern latitudes. It’s nearly half illuminated and still bright but it does not possess the overpowering effect on faint objects that the full moon does. One can hold successful meteor viewing sessions this week by simply facing away from the moon toward darker portions of the sky. You can also view before the moon rises but February evenings are dreadfully slow as seen from the northern hemisphere. The estimated total hourly meteor rates for evening observers this week is near 3 for those viewing from the northern hemisphere and 4 for those located south of the equator. For morning observers the estimated total hourly rates should be near 7 as seen from mid-northern latitudes (45N) and 14 as seen from tropical southern locations (25S) Morning rates are reduced due to moonlight. 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. Note that the hourly rates listed below are estimates as viewed from dark sky sites away from urban light sources. Observers viewing from urban areas will see less activity as only the brightest meteors will be visible from such locations.

@ AMSMETEORS