Moonlight
Moonlight brightens the night sky and can hide fainter meteors, so the Moon's phase matters for meteor watching.
The Moon's light can spoil a meteor watch. A bright Moon scatters light through the atmosphere, making the sky less dark, so faint meteors disappear. Around full Moon, observers may see only a fraction of the meteors they would see on a moonless night.
Before a meteor shower, check the Moon's phase. A new Moon, when the Moon is not visible, is ideal. A thin crescent is fine, especially if it sets early. If the Moon is bright, try observing when it is low or has set, and turn your back to it, perhaps standing in the shadow of a building or tree.
The Moon's phases repeat about every 29.5 days, so the conditions for a given shower change from year to year. Calendars of meteor showers often include a note on the Moon, so you can plan which showers will be best each year.
Related terms
Level: Beginner Ages 7 and up