Hello Stargazers! August promises to be a spectacular month for all astronomy enthusiasts. From planetary alignments to meteor showers, here’s a guide to help you navigate the night sky and make the most of the celestial events this month.
August 1: Jupiter and Mars
Start the month by observing Jupiter and Mars in the early morning sky. Look west one to two hours before sunrise to catch Jupiter and Mars together. Mars will be about five degrees north of the orange-hued star Aldebaran and six degrees west of Jupiter. Over the next few weeks, Mars will gradually approach Jupiter, culminating in a close conjunction on August 14. For the best telescopic views of Jupiter, look early in the morning twilight when the planet is high in the eastern sky. Jupiter will be visible from around 2 a.m. at the start of August and around midnight by the end of the month.
August 4: New Moon
On August 4, the New Moon will rise at 6 a.m., making it invisible in the night sky. This is the best time to observe faint celestial objects such as galaxies and star clusters, as there will be no moonlight to interfere with your view.
August 5: Mercury Retrograde Begins & Venus Kisses the Moon
Mercury begins its retrograde motion on August 5, which will last until August 28. This phenomenon can make Mercury appear to move backward in its orbit. Additionally, if you’re up for a challenge, try to spot Venus and the thin waxing crescent Moon immediately after sunset. Venus will set about 45 minutes after the Sun at the beginning of August and an hour later by the month’s end.
August 6: Vega
Vega, the brightest star in the Summer Triangle and part of the constellation Lyra, will be passing overhead around 11 p.m. local daylight time. Vega was the first star photographed in 1850. Look for Epsilon Lyrae, known as the “Double-double” star, which can be split into four stars with a telescope.
August 11-13: Perseids Meteor Shower
The Perseids meteor shower, one of the best meteor showers of the year, will peak on the night of August 11 and the morning of August 12. Produced by comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids can produce up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. Although the first-quarter Moon may block some fainter meteors, it will set shortly after midnight, providing dark skies for an excellent early morning show. Best viewing is from a dark location after midnight.
A 360º composite image of 100 meteors captured in 4 consecutive nights during the Perseid meteor shower 2023 as seen from the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve in Portugal. (Image credit: Miguel Claro)
August 14: Mars Kisses Jupiter
On August 14, Mars and Jupiter will be closely aligned in the east-northeast sky. From 1:30 a.m., you’ll be able to see Mars and Jupiter within the same field of view in a medium-power telescope. This alignment, the closest planet pairing of 2024, is a must-see!
August 18: Mercury Conjunction
Mercury reaches its inferior conjunction with the Sun on August 18, making it invisible as it is lost in the Sun’s glare.
August 19: Full Blue Moon
The Full Blue Moon, also known as the Full Sturgeon Moon, will be fully illuminated on August 19 at 2:26 p.m. EDT. This rare event, where there are four full moons in a single season, is known as a Blue Moon. Historically, this moon was named after the large sturgeon fish found in the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water.
August 20: Saturn Kisses the Moon
Look east (east-southeast) after dark to see Saturn closely aligned with the Moon. They will be less than one degree apart, making for a beautiful sight. Saturn will be well-placed for telescopic observation later in the evening.
August 27: Mars, Moon, Jupiter Triangle
On August 27, observe a striking celestial triangle with the Moon, Jupiter, and Mars in the early morning sky from 1 a.m. until sunrise. Jupiter will be positioned five degrees below the Moon, and Mars will be nine degrees to the lower left of the Moon.
August 28: Six Planets Alignment
A significant planetary alignment occurs on August 28, with Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn all visible in the morning sky. While Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn can be seen with the naked eye, Neptune and Uranus will require a telescope or high-powered binoculars. Mercury will be challenging to spot as it is closer to the horizon.
Deep Sky Objects to View in August
- M13 - The Great Hercules Cluster: A globular cluster in Hercules.
- M31 - The Andromeda Galaxy: The nearest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way.
- M57 - The Ring Nebula: A planetary nebula in Lyra.
- M27 - The Dumbbell Nebula: A planetary nebula in Vulpecula.
- M8 - The Lagoon Nebula: A large interstellar cloud in Sagittarius.
- M20 - The Trifid Nebula: A combination of open clusters, emission nebulae, reflection nebulae, and dark nebulae.
- M16 - The Eagle Nebula: Known for the "Pillars of Creation" in Serpens.
- M17 - The Swan Nebula: An H II region in Sagittarius.
- M11 - The Wild Duck Cluster: An open cluster in Scutum.
- M15 - A globular cluster in Pegasus.
Tips for Observing:
- Check the Weather: Ensure clear skies and minimal light pollution.
- Use a Star Chart: Have a printed star chart or an app to help locate the objects.
- Plan Your Observation Time: Some objects are best viewed when they are highest in the sky.
With so many celestial events and deep sky objects to explore, August 2024 promises to be a thrilling month for all astronomy enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or a curious beginner, there’s something magical waiting for you in the night sky. So grab your telescopes, binoculars, or just your eyes, and enjoy the cosmic wonders above. Clear skies, everyone!
