Next peak: Orionids, the night of Wed Oct 21 into Thu Oct 22. At Fletcher Cove the moon is 83% lit (waxing gibbous) at midnight and the sky is fully dark 3:19am to 5:36am (2h 17m).
The darkest peak night of the next six months: Northern Taurids, Wed Nov 11 into Thu Nov 12, with 10h 28m of moon-free dark sky (6:23pm to 4:51am).
Already active as of Tue Oct 6: Orionids (through Nov 7); Southern Taurids (through Nov 20).
Peak nights, the next six months
| Peak night | Shower | Moon at midnight | Moon that night | Dark sky (moon down) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Oct 21 into Thu Oct 22 | Orionids active Oct 2 to Nov 7 | 83% lit, waxing gibbous | Sets 3:19am | 3:19am to 5:36am (2h 17m) |
| Wed Nov 4 into Thu Nov 5 | Southern Taurids active Sep 20 to Nov 20 | 16% lit, waning crescent | Rises 2:43am | 6:19pm to 2:43am (8h 23m) |
| Wed Nov 11 into Thu Nov 12 | Northern Taurids active Oct 20 to Dec 10 | 9% lit, waxing crescent | Sets 6:23pm | 6:23pm to 4:51am (10h 28m) |
| Mon Nov 16 into Tue Nov 17 | Leonids active Nov 6 to Nov 30 | 48% lit, first quarter | Sets 11:06pm | 11:06pm to 4:55am (5h 49m) |
| Sun Dec 13 into Mon Dec 14 | Geminids active Dec 4 to Dec 17 | 23% lit, waxing crescent | Sets 8:58pm | 8:58pm to 5:15am (8h 17m) |
| Mon Dec 21 into Tue Dec 22 | Ursids active Dec 17 to Dec 26 | 95% lit, waxing gibbous | Sets 5:27am | No dark window: the moon is up from dusk to dawn |
| Sun Jan 3 into Mon Jan 4 | Quadrantids active Dec 28 to Jan 12 | 11% lit, waning crescent | Rises 4:30am | 6:23pm to 4:30am (10h 06m) |
Dark sky means after astronomical dusk and before astronomical dawn (the sun 18 degrees below the horizon) with the moon below the horizon. Moon and sun times computed for Fletcher Cove, Solana Beach, Pacific time. Peak nights and activity dates from the American Meteor Society.
On the bluff
Go in the dark-sky hours listed for the night, face out over the ocean away from the lights along the 101, put the phone away and give your eyes time to adjust. Check posted beach hours before heading down after dark. Daytime at the beach: king tides · Beach Day Picker · tides and surf this week.
Sources: American Meteor Society meteor shower calendar; moon and sun computed with the astral library.
Meteor night, handled
Hot cocoa, snacks and an extra blanket dropped at your door before a peak night: PJ does one-stop errands for $35 a stop in Solana Beach, Del Mar and Cardiff (things, not passengers). Text PJ.
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This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
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Questions people ask
When is the next meteor shower in Solana Beach?
The Orionids, peak night Wednesday October 21 into Thursday October 22, per the American Meteor Society. At Fletcher Cove the moon is 83% lit at midnight and the sky is fully dark 3:19am to 5:36am (2h 17m).
What time should I go out to see meteors?
In the dark-sky hours listed for each peak night: after astronomical dusk, before astronomical dawn, and while the moon is below the horizon. The times are worked out for Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach.
Which meteor shower has the darkest sky this season?
The Northern Taurids on November 11: 10h 28m of moon-free dark sky at Fletcher Cove, 6:23pm to 4:51am.
Know someone who needs this?
Something changed here? Text PJ and we'll update this page.
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