August constantly gives among the greatest skygazing of the yr, thanks largely to the prolific Perseids meteor bathe that peaks mid-month. However there are a handful of different planetary occasions value staying up late for—here is when and learn how to catch the very best celestial occasions this month.
The place and when to see the Perseids meteor bathe
The Perseids provide among the greatest meteor viewing all yr, with as much as 100 meteors per hour on the bathe’s peak. This yr, the Perseids span from July 14 to Sept. 1 and are anticipated to peak within the early morning hours of Aug. 12 because the Earth passes by the mud trails left behind by the 109P/Swift-Tuttle comet.
These within the Northern Hemisphere could have the very best view after the moon units between midnight and 1 a.m. native time on Aug. 12, with the best variety of meteors within the few hours earlier than daybreak. For optimum outcomes, head to a location with little to no mild air pollution and an open view of the sky, and look towards the Perseus constellation within the northeast/east. In case you can stand up excessive—above any haze—even higher.
In case you want a information for the place to look and when, stargazing apps like Sky Tonight and Star Stroll 2 can level you in the best path.
The place and when to see August’s supermoon
A supermoon is a full or new moon that passes particularly near the Earth in its orbital path, which makes it seem larger and brighter than a daily moon. The primary supermoon of 2024 might be seen on August 19. You will get the very best sighting round sundown towards the east-southeast horizon. The August supermoon has a lot of names from Indigenous cultures, such because the Sturgeon Moon, Corn Moon, Ricing Moon, and Black Cherries Moon, in addition to the Flying Up Moon and Pink Moon.
The place and when to see Mars and Jupiter in August 2024
On the finish of the month, stargazers will have the ability to see Mars and Jupiter close to the moon. NASA predicts the very best view within the japanese sky on Aug. 27, about one hour earlier than dawn. Mars and Jupiter may also be shut to at least one one other on Aug. 14 and visual close to the east-northeast horizon round 2 a.m. native time.
On Aug. 28, six planets—Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn—might be in shut proximity to at least one one other, with Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn being essentially the most seen. In response to Star Stroll, Saturn might be seen close to Aquarius beginning within the late night, whereas Jupiter and Mars will seem at evening.
