How to watch meteor showers: You can't watch a meteor shower with a telescope or binoculars. A shower is a naked eye event. And.. Because of the word "shower" people think that there are going to be lots of falling stars. But this isn't true. Here in this list I give you an estimate of how many falling stars you will see in an hour. This will vary a lot. I have a lot more about meteor showers right here
I recommend you check the weather and then get to the darkest skies you can find. Pull up a reclining chair and watch the sky. Typically the best rate occurs around midnight. So plan for this if possible.
Key:
- New Moon means no moon so dark sky which is best for watching meteor showers
- Hourly rate is given , just as an estimate based on past showers
- Opposition - This is when the planet is closest to the Earth and fully illuminated by the sun - Typically this is the best time to observe a planet
- Penumbral means the eclipse will just catch a portion of the moon
2016 Sky events
Jan 3-4 Quadrantids up to 40 an hour - Constellation of Bootes - Look to the Northeast near the big dipper
Jan 10 New Moon
Jan 24 Full Moon
Feb 8 New Moon
Feb 22 Full Moon
Mar 8 Jupiter at Opposition - This means it will be closest to the earth and furthest from the sun. This is the best time to observe it.
March 9 New moon
March 23 - Full moon and Penumbral partial lunar eclipse - This means that the moon will be partially eclipsed. It will appear as a darkening.
April 7 New Moon
April 22 – Full Moon
April 22-23 Lyrid Meteor shower – up to 20 an hour -Look to the Northeast near the constellation of Lyra which has a very bright star called Vega
May 6-7 Eta Aquarids up to 30 an hour - This is a very spread out meteor shower in terms of when it happens. It doesn't really peak but for a week around May 6-7 it is generally at its best. Look to the constellation of Aquarius
May 6 New moon
May 9 Transit of Mercury across the sun - Mercury passes right across the surface of the sun. You need special equipment to view it.
May 21 Full Moon
May 22 – Mars at opposition -This means it will be closest to the earth and furthest from the sun. This is the best time to observe it.
June 3 Saturn at Opposition - This means it will be closest to the earth and furthest from the sun. This is the best time to observe it.
June 5 New Moon
June 20 Full Moon
July 4 New Moon
July 19 Full Moon
July 28 - 29 Delta Aquarids – up to 20 an hour - Another meteor shower spread out in time, generally the best rates are around July 28-29 Look to the constellation Aquarius
Aug 2 New Moon
Aug 18 Full Moon
August 12-13 Perseids up to 60 an hour -This can be a very prolific meteor shower - look to the constellation of Perseus which will be in the northern sky
August 16 Mercury at greatest eastern elongation - The planet is furthest from the sun which gives us an opportunity to view it.
August 27 Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter - The two planets will be very close to each other in the sky. This will make for wonderful viewing.
Sep 1 New Moon
Sep 3 Neptune at opposition - This means it will be closest to the earth and furthest from the sun. This is the best time to observe it.
Sep 16 Full Moon
Oct 1 New Moon
Oct 7 Draconids meteor shower – up to 10 an hour - This is typically a weak meteor shower but because it is the remnants of a comet the Earth will occasionally pass right through the path of the comet and the meteor rate can spike into the hundreds per hour. Look to the Northern sky in the constellation of Draco.
Oct 15 Uranus at opposition - This means it will be closest to the earth and furthest from the sun. This is the best time to observe it.
Oct 16 Full Moon
Oct 21-22 Orionids up to 20 per hour - This meteor shower can on some years peak to 60-70 per hour. It is associated with Halley's comet and look to the constellation of Orion to find it.
Oct 30 New Moon
Nov 4-5 Taurids meteor shower 5-10 an hour - This is a shower of spread out and slow meteors. Often called the Halloween Fireball shower. Look to the constellation of Taurus.
Nov 14 Full Moon
Nov 17-18 Leonids meteor shower – up to 15 an hour - Look to the constellation of Leo
Nov 29 New Moon
Dec 13 -14 Geminids – up to 120 an hour (dec 7-17 with peak around 13th. - Look to the constellation of Gemini. It is thought that this meteor shower is growing in intensity each year.
Dec 14 full moon
Dec 21 22 Ursids – 5-10 am hour - This is another spread out meteor shower that usually peakes around the dec 21-22. Look to the little dipper in the north sky, not far from the north star.
Dec 29 New Moon
So.. Here are the upcoming Meteor showers for 2016
Jan 3-4 Quadrantids up to 40 an hour -Constellation of Bootes - Look to the Northeast near the big dipper
April 22-23 Lyrid Meteor shower – up to 20 an hour - Look to the Northeast near the constellation of Lyra which has a very bright star called Vega
May 6-7 Eta Aquarids up to 30 an hour - This is a very spread out meteor shower in terms of when it happens. It doesn't really peak but for a week around May 6-7 it is generally at its best. Look to the constellation of Aquarius
July 28 - 29 Delta Aquarids – up to 20 an hour - Another meteor shower spread out in time, generally the best rates are around July 28-29 Look to the constellation Aquarius
August 12-13 Perseids up to 60 an hour - This can be a very prolific meteor shower - look to the constellation of Perseus which will be in the northern sky
Oct 7 Draconids meteor shower – up to 10 an hour - This is typically a weak meteor shower but because it is the remnants of a comet the Earth will occasionally pass right through the path of the comet and the meteor rate can spike into the hundreds per hour. Look to the Northern sky in the constellation of Draco.
Oct 21-22 Orionids up to 20 per hour - This meteor shower can on some years peak to 60-70 per hour. It is associated with Halley's comet and look to the constellation of Orion to find it.
Nov 4-5 Taurids meteor shower 5-10 an hour - This is a shower of spread out and slow meteors. Often called the Halloween Fireball shower. Look to the constellation of Taurus.
Nov 17-18 Leonids meteor shower – up to 15 an hour - Look to the constellation of Leo
Dec 13 -14 Geminids – up to 120 an hour (dec 7-17 with peak around 13th. - Look to the constellation of Gemini. It is thought that this meteor shower is growing in intensity each year.
Dec 21 22 Ursids – 5-10 an hour - This is another spread out meteor shower that usually peakes around the dec 21-22. Look to the little dipper in the north sky, not far from the north star.
Do you like making projects and exploring a variety of hobbies?
Sign up for my free newsletter. I give you regular updates on hobbies and projects you can make. it is totally free and I don't share your email with anybody.
|
