8 night time sky occasions to see in August, from a ‘sturgeon moon’ to a surprising 6-planet lineup

August is likely one of the greatest months of the yr for stargazing within the Northern Hemisphere, due to heat nights and the well-known Perseid meteor bathe. Though the Perseids might be dampened by brilliant moonlight this yr, it’s best to nonetheless be capable to see meteors if the skies are clear.

But meteors aren’t the one factor lighting up the heavens. This August, you may catch a uncommon six-planet lineup, a superb full moon, and one of many largest asteroids in our photo voltaic system glowing at peak brightness. Here’s all the things to search for within the skies above.

The “sturgeon moon”—August 9

The month’s full “sturgeon moon” happens on the night time of August 9. The nickname, popularized by the Farmer’s Almanac, comes from the large fish historically caught in late summer season by Indigenous peoples of the Great Lakes area.

Though the precise timing varies by location, the moon typically rises round sundown, glowing brightly all through the night time and setting after dawn. That provides skywatchers loads of time to look at the textured floor of the moon intimately by way of binoculars or telescopes.

A “big four” asteroid reaches peak brightness—August 10

One of the photo voltaic system’s largest asteroids, 2 Pallas, reaches peak brightness on the night time of August 10. That’s when the area rock reaches opposition—positioned immediately reverse the solar in Earth’s sky—making it seen all night time lengthy because it rises at sundown and units at dawn.

Discovered in 1802, Pallas is our photo voltaic system’s third-largest identified asteroid by mass, with a mean diameter of about 318 miles. It belongs to a bunch often known as the “big four,” which incorporates the dwarf planet Ceres. Although Pallas received’t be seen to the bare eye, skilled stargazers with a telescope or high-powered binoculars would possibly be capable to spot it within the constellation Delphinus.

Six planets march throughout the sky—round August 10

In the early morning hours round August 10, skywatchers can catch a surprising planetary parade: Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will all seem within the sky without delay. Mars, the lone outlier, will solely be seen earlier within the night.

(Here’s the best way to see a planetary alignment.)

According to NASA, such “planetary parades” usually are not very uncommon. In truth, we had one earlier this year. But they’re generally restricted to 4 or 5 planets, making this six-planet present one to catch. Just notice: Mercury could also be exhausting to identify resulting from its proximity to the solar, and Uranus and Neptune would require a telescope.

Perseid meteor bathe peak—August 12–13

The Perseid meteor bathe—one of the vital dependable and beloved annual shows of capturing stars—is predicted to peak in a single day on August 12 into the morning of August 13. Under ideally suited dark-sky circumstances, the Perseids can produce as much as 100 meteors per hour.

But this yr, the waning gibbous moon will put a damper on the present. At 84 % brightness, it may wash out greater than three-quarters of the meteors, in keeping with the American Meteor Society.

Mercury at biggest western elongation—August 19

On the morning of August 19, Mercury reaches its biggest western elongation—its farthest obvious distance from the solar within the sky, making it among the finest instances this yr to identify the elusive planet.

Around the identical time, Venus and Jupiter may also be seen, making it well worth the effort to rise early this morning.

The Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter converge—August 21

In the early hours of August 21, an in depth strategy of the crescent moon, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter will create a good looking tableau within the predawn sky. The brilliant stars Castor, Pollux, and Procyon will be part of the show.

This eye-catching grouping might be most seen throughout the hour earlier than dawn, low within the jap sky.

Prime stargazing circumstances—August 23

The new moon on August 23 brings prime stargazing circumstances, because the absence of moonlight permits for optimum viewing of distant galaxies, wispy nebulae, and even the final meteors from the Perseids. It’s a superb time to scan the Milky Way with binoculars or a telescope in case you have darkish sufficient skies.

(A practical guide to stargazing.)

Late August additionally marks the beginning of peak season for recognizing the Andromeda galaxy, our closest neighbor, within the Northern Hemisphere. Without any mild air pollution from the moon, the galaxy might be seen with the bare eye.

The Moon and Mars meet—August 26

Just after sundown on August 26, look low within the western sky to identify the crescent moon cozying as much as Mars, solely about 2.5 levels aside. Depending in your location, the pair might solely be seen briefly round sundown, very low within the sky.

Though Mars is at present dimmer than normal resulting from its orbital location, its crimson hue remains to be clearly seen to the bare eye.