Video Transcript:
Whats Up for August? See Saturn at dusk and dawn, the Perseid meteors return, and a “super blue moon.”
In August, weve lost Venus and Mars from the evening sky, but well have terrific views of Saturn all night. Saturn reaches opposition this month, suggesting its directly opposite the Sun as seen from Earth. Planets at opposition increase simply after sunset and are visible till dawn, and its when they appear at their biggest and brightest for the year. Search for the huge planet low in the eastern sky around 9 pm by mid-month, appearing a bit greater each night as August continues.
Sky chart showing the Moon near the Pleiades star cluster on the early morning of August 9. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
On the early morning of August 3rd, Saturn appears simply a couple of finger widths apart from the almost complete Moon. And then the Moon has a super-close meetup with the reddish star Antares– brightest star in the constellation Scorpius– on the evening of August 24th.
The Moon appears extremely close to the bright star Antares in Scorpius on the evening of August 24. Audiences in the Eastern and Southern U.S. may have the ability to observe the Moon pass in front of (occult) Antares. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
August brings one of the best known annual meteor showers, the Perseids. And this year the stage is set for an excellent show, as the peak night– August 12th and into the 13th– is near the new moon.
The radiant– the point in the sky where the meteors appear to come from– is toward the northeast, appearing in-between the upside down “W” of constellation Cassiopeia and intense star Capella. Observing the Perseids is easy– just find yourself a safe, dark area to lie down with your feet pointing approximately toward the northeast, and look straight up. The best time to see them is between midnight and dawn, as the radiant increases higher in the sky. Meteor activity likely will be at its biggest in the hour preceding dawn.
Now, the crescent moon likewise rises in the couple of hours before dawn, but its just about 7% brightened, and so it should not present a considerable issue for seeing the meteors. You may also see a couple of meteors in the early morning hours throughout the week before and after the peak.
Super blue moons take place about every 10 years, on average– though the time between any 2 incidents can differ from 2 months to 2 years or more. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
August starts and ends with a full moon, making for a special event that only occurs every couple of years. When that occurs, we get a blue moon.
But theres more! The August 30th blue moon is also a supermoon. The moons orbit isnt an ideal circle, so often its a little further away from Earth and sometimes closer. At its closest point, called perigee, its 14% closer than at its farthest. About 3 to 4 times a year, the full moon phase takes place to accompany the Moon reaching perigee, and we call that occasion a supermoon. While it technically appears a bit bigger (and a little more vibrant) than the typical complete moon, the difference is not super obvious to the eye.
Comparison of the size of a typical moon, compared to the size of a supermoon. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The combination of these two unique complete moons, producing a “very blue moon,” happens about every 10 years, on average– though the time in between any two events can differ from 2 months to 20 years or more.
Enjoy this months two complete moons. And while the 2nd one wont appear super-sized, or any bluer than usual, now you understand what makes it unique.
Here are the stages of the Moon for August:
The phases of the Moon for August 2023. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Stay up to date with all of NASAs missions to explore the solar system and beyond at nasa.gov. Im Preston Dyches from NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and thats Whats Up for this month.
August offers a celestial extravaganza with clear views of Saturn at its opposition, the return of the annual Perseid meteor shower, and a rare “incredibly blue moon” incident. In addition, the 2nd complete moon is likewise a supermoon, lining up with the moons closest method to Earth. And this month brings 2 full moons– the second of which is a “Super Blue Moon.”
The August 30th blue moon is also a supermoon. About 3 to 4 times a year, the complete moon phase occurs to correspond with the Moon reaching perigee, and we call that event a supermoon.
August provides a celestial extravaganza with clear views of Saturn at its opposition, the return of the annual Perseid meteor shower, and an uncommon “extremely blue moon” occurrence. Saturns opposition allows it to be noticeable throughout the night, while the Perseid meteor shower is set for a grand phenomenon, accompanying the new moon. The lunar cycle provides 2 full moons this month, the second of which is referred to as a “blue moon.” Additionally, the 2nd moon is likewise a supermoon, aligning with the moons closest technique to Earth. This uncommon combination, a “extremely blue moon,” takes place approximately every years.
Saturn shines brightly all night in August, while the Perseids return for an excellent program on the 12th/13th, and a Super Blue Moon!
What are some skywatching highlights in August 2023?
Saturn reaches opposition this month, suggesting its at its greatest and brightest for the year, and noticeable all night. The “shooting stars” of the yearly Perseid meteors are a must-see, over night on August 12th. And this month brings 2 moons– the second of which is a “Super Blue Moon.”