When to Watch Lyrid Meteor Shower

Shooting stars of the 2013 Lyrids expected peak later this week.

Peachtree Corners astronomers and sky gazers it's time to prepare for another meteor shower The skies have been largely empty of visible meteor showers since the Quadrantids of early January, but the shooting stars of the Lyrids have been a reliable spectacle for some 2,600 years. The Lyrid meteor shower is expected to make its 2013 debut this week. The Lyrids meteor shower peaks in 2013 on April 21 and 22, but some meteors may be visible beginning April 16. You can see what to look for in this video of the Lyrid meteor shower. Or check out photos of the Lyrids. And these charts of the Lyrids may help you locate the shooting stars. The Lyrids tend to be bright and often leave trails and tend to peak at about 10-20 meteors per hour. One of …

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Quadrantid Meteor Shower to Peak Thursday

For Peachtree Corners residents who aren't too tired from celebrating the new year, another skywatching experience maybe headed our way.

In 2012, we had more than a few skywatching opportunities, and 2013 isn't going to be any different. The next meteor shower you might be able to get a glance of overhead is expected to produce its greatest number of meteors in the wee hours before dawn tomorrow: Thursday, Jan. 3. Before dawn on Jan. 4 might also be a possibility.  The Quadrantid meteor shower is named for an extinct constellation, but the shooting stars that seem to sprout from it still arrive yearly. The Quadrantids is one of the lesser-known meteor showers of the year, but that doesn't mean it's anything less than spectacular. Take a look at this Quadrantids meteor shower video or these pictures of the Quadrantids. While the shower begins overnight on the first day of …

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Geminid Meteor Shower 2012 Peak: When to Watch

The year's most reliable meteor shower is on the way – with no moon to obscure the show.

  The Geminid meteor shower 2012, the final major meteor shower of every year and likely to be the best, peaks overnight Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, and you may be able to see a great show on either side of those dates in Waukesha. If you liked the Perseids meteor shower 2012 in August, you should love this show. NASA reports that the Geminids are a relatively young meteor shower, with the first sitings occurring in the 1830s with rates of about 20 per hour. Over the decades the rates have increased, regularly spawning between 80 and 120 per hour at its peak on a clear evening. How spectacular is it? Just take a look at this video of the Geminid meteor shower. You can also look at some great photos of the Geminids. Earthsky.org reports the …

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Geminid Meteor Shower: When and Where to Watch

The most reliable meteor shower of the year, the Geminids, is on its way.

The Geminid meteor shower 2012, the final major meteor shower of every year and likely to be the best, peaks overnight Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, and you may be able to see a great show on either side of those dates. If you liked the Perseids meteor shower 2012 in August, you should love this sky show. NASA reports that the Geminids are a relatively young meteor shower, with the first sightings occurring in the 1830s with rates of about 20 per hour. Over the decades the rates have increased, regularly spawning between 80 and 120 per hour at its peak on a clear evening. How spectacular is it? Just take a look at this video of the Geminid meteor shower. You can also look at some spectacular photos of the Geminids. Tips for best viewing Earthsky.…

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When Will The Leonid Meteor Shower be Visible?

The Leonid Meteor Showers are fast and bright and will appear to radiate from the constellation Leo the Lion in the pre-dawn hours of Nov. 17.

As you begin hanging holiday lights, cast your gaze upon the universe's natural fireworks, as well.  Astronomers anticipate several meteor showers to take place between now and the end of the year. Nov. 17: Leonid Meteor Shower Dec. 13: Geminid Meteor Shower Be sure to schedule a night this season to bundle up with some blankets, hot chocolate, and enjoy the light show in the sky. Don't have access to a telescope? The North Georgia College & State University’s Coleman Planetarium in Dahlonega (about 40 miles from Peachtree Corners) invites you and your family for star gazing. Check out the fall schedule featuring "Public Education Nights" on most Fridays at 8 p.m.

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Taurid Meteor Shower Expected to Peak Sunday Night

Look to the skies for some stunning light displays this November and December - starting with the Taurid Meteor shower just after midnight.

Astronomers anticipate three meteor showers to take place over the next month, starting late tonight. Nov. 12: Taurid Meteor Shower Nov. 17: Leonid Meteor Shower Dec. 13: Geminid Meteor Shower Be sure to schedule a night this season to bundle up, lay out some blankets and enjoy the light show in the sky.    Share your tips for photographing the showers, and tell us your favorite place in Peachtree Corners to view the skies.

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Orionids Meteor Shower Expected to Peak Oct. 20

Shooting stars will be flying all week with the best show expected early Saturday morning in Peachtree Corners. The Orionids meteor shower promises to be a show worth watching.

Orionids Meteor Shower Expected to Peak Oct. 20

Shooting stars will be flying all week with the best show expected early Saturday morning in Peachtree Corners. The Orionids meteor shower promises to be a show worth watching.

The offspring of Halley's Comet are about to put on quite a show in the skies of Peachtree Corners. Earth will pass through a stream of debris from Halley's Comet beginning this week, which will give us the benefit of the annual Orionids meteor shower—though you probably won't see much until a bit later. The shower should be at its peak the night of Saturday, Oct. 20, until just before dawn on Oct. 21. This year, the moon will be setting at approximately midnight, which will keep the sky darkened enough that—barring cloud cover—you should be able to see up to 15 meteors per hour. What makes this shower so cool? First of all it's a show of shooting stars. Also, though, there's no question about where to look for this one. Meteor showers get…

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Perseid Meteor Shower Will Dazzle on Aug. 11, 12

Viewers should be able to observe around 80 "shooting stars" per hour during this year's Perseid Meteor Shower.

According to Astronomy.com, the Perseid Meteor shower has some added bonuses this year: it will occur on a night when the moon is in its waning crescent phase, which means the moonlight won't interfere with your view of the dashing meteors, and it's on a Saturday night, which means people can stay up late and sleep in the next day. You don't even need a telescope. Just spread out a blanket, maybe a late-night picnic, lay back and enjoy!   Perseid Meteor Trivia: Where to view: If you snap a great photo of the shower, upload it our pics and clips!

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