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An aurora, and the start of meteor season

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David Callejas

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Deborah Byrd

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July 18, 2013

aurora-alongside-meteor-Jeremy-Friebel — An aurora and a meteor from Jeremy Friebel. More of his photos can be seen on Facebook at ExtremeWeatherPhotographer.

Jeremy Friebel captured this meteor streaking past against a background of the aurora borealis, or northern lights, on July 15, 2013. He was in Center Valley, Wisconsin. Thank you, Jeremy!

What are the prospects for northern summer meteor season this year? The best warm-weather weeks for watching meteors in the Northern Hemisphere always begin around now. The season peaks from late July to about mid-August. But, right now, the moon is waxing toward full. The July 2013 full moon – on July 22 – will be another supermoon, and it’ll drown the beginning of the 2013 summer meteor season in its glare. Meteor aficianados will be waiting for the days after full moon, when the moon will be waning and casting less light in the sky. The best time for watching summer meteors in 2013 will probably begin around the first week of August.

Does that mean you should wait until August to start watching for meteors? Heck, no. As Jeremy’s photo shows, the meteors are beginning to fly. Start watching now, whenever you find yourself beneath a clear country sky, and maybe you’ll see a meteor (or two or more!) streaking along in bright moonlight.

For more about 2013 meteors, check out EarthSky’s meteor guide.

What is a supermoon?

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July 18, 2013

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David Callejas

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About the Author:

David Callejas, Marketing Director, helps bring EarthSky's content to the world via online ads and other products. He creates strategies that help people around the world find us and appreciate the work we do. He helps manage the EarthSky Store and bring to you the new products that you love. He's the chief liaison between EarthSky.org and the world of commerce. All that, plus he helps post content and populate our pages on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter. Go David!

Deborah Byrd

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About the Author:

Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.