Today's Image

This morning’s moon, July 31, 2013

The waning moon, as captured by our friend Tom Wildoner this morning (July 31, 2013).
The waning moon, as captured by our friend Tom Wildoner this morning (July 31, 2013).

Here is this morning’s waning crescent moon – July 31, 2013 – as captured by our friend on Google+ and Facebook, Thomas Wildoner. Thank you, Tom!

The Delta Aquarid meteor shower, which has been going on for some days now, has been mostly obliterated by the light of the bright moon. We’ve seen a few photos so far of this year’s Delta Aquarids, but not many.

But the year’s most exciting meteor shower for us in the Northern Hemisphere – the Perseid meteor shower – is still ahead of us.

And that is why this waning moon is such good news. By the time the Perseids peak, on the mornings of August 11-13, the moon will be back in the evening sky, leaving the peak meteor-watching hours of midnight to dawn free and clear.

EarthSky’s meteor shower guide for 2013

Everything you need to know: Perseid meteor shower

Posted 
July 31, 2013
 in 
Today's Image

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