Moon phase ruins my Stargazing!

[sufiyan]

TL;DR Summary

I was out a few days ago to watch a meteor shower and i noticed that there were less meteors visible in the night sky as compared to last year! Because this year the moon phase was bright!

This experience of mine is based on the Geminids meteor shower this year because during the Geminids this year the moon was 95.9% illuminated! How can I deal with this issue when stargazing next time?

Moon phase data from:
https://www.wondersinspace.com/geminid-meteor-shower-peaks-tonight-in-india-know-everything/

 

[DaveC426913]

TL;DR Summary: I was out a few days ago to watch a meteor shower and i noticed that there were less meteors visible in the night sky as compared to last year! Because this year the moon phase was bright!

Meteor showers vary from year to year. You might have seen fewer because of the Moon, or you might have seen fewer because there were fewer to see.

This experience of mine is based on the Geminids meteor shower this year because during the Geminids this year the moon was 95.9% illuminated! How can I deal with this issue when stargazing next time?

Moon phase data from:
https://www.wondersinspace.com/geminid-meteor-shower-peaks-tonight-in-india-know-everything/

Not much you can do about moving the Moon to a more convenient place.

What can help is:

• Find a dark sky location near you. https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/
• Block the Moon from your sight with a building or your hoodie or just a piece of cardboard.

These will improve your night vision.

 

[gmax137]

Not much you can do about moving the Moon to a more convenient place.

Maybe Archimedes can help?

 

[D H]

Because this year the moon phase was bright!

I live in Houston. It seems to me that in Houston, every interesting astronomical event is inevitably obscured by clouds.

 

[bland]

It's kind of your own fault because the moon wouldn't be there if you weren't looking.

 

[sophiecentaur]

I live in Houston.

Sorry but you can expect very little sympathy from me or most other people. There are very few parts of the world that would suit amateur astronomy. There are many tricks of the trade to help astronomers but meteors are very short lived so you have to be out there for hours before you can be sure of a good view.
As far as the Moon is concerned, you have to treat it as a cup half full and not a cup half empty; it is one of the most fantastic sights in the sky, even with the unaided eye. It's a consolation prize.

PS Never stop trying.

 

[Ammaniya]

Yeah, I've noticed that too when the moon's bright. Maybe try checking the lunar calendar and plan your stargazing for nights when the moon's a lot less visible? Or find a spot with less light pollution. Not sure if those will really help much, though. Could also just pick a different meteor shower to watch next time.