Sunrise Sunset

Fri., July 29 5:32 8:02

Sat., July 30 5:33 8:01

Sun., July 31 5:34 8:00

Mon., August 1 5:35 7:59

Tues., August 2 5:36 7:58

Wed., August 3 5:37 7:57

Thurs., August 4 5:38 7:56

Fri., August 5 5:39 7:55

The best meteor watching takes place in the nights ahead, but don’t wait. The full moon comes in the second week of August and it is a spoiler.

Full moon is Saturday, August 13, and that means the brilliant moon will make it difficult to see the best of the Perseid shower on August 12. Most meteors are faint and sometimes barely bright enough to see. Don’t get caught looking for meteors on the night of a full moon; it is a real challenge. You’ll only see the brightest of them and that could mean you are waiting a while. Also, know that the nights leading to the full moon and after the full moon are still bright and will minimize the chances one will see a lot.

So this weekend and next week is the time to go meteor watching and stargazing.

The Delta Aquarids meteor shower peaked in the early hours of this morning, but it is possible those looking in the nights ahead, through this weekend, will see a few Aquarid stragglers.

August is a popular month for looking for meteors not just because of both the Delta Aquarids and the Perseid meteor showers. It is also popular because it offers the viewer fair weather and comfortable nighttime temperatures. More go outside looking at meteors at this time of year than any other, mostly because it is so comfortable outside.

M.A.L.