This August, stargazers are in for a treat. The night sky offers a variety of spectacular events that will captivate astronomy enthusiasts. Here’s what’s happening this month.
A Sturgeon Moon Full Moon
The full moon on Friday and Saturday, August 8-9, will be visible in the eastern horizon. Expect a stunning orange-hued rise shortly after sunset.
Venus-Jupiter Conjunction
On Tuesday, August 12, look for the pre-dawn sky’s rare planetary pairing: Venus and Jupiter, separated by just one degree. This is an exceptional sight that can be seen with the naked eye.
Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks
The Perseids meteor shower peaks between midnight on August 12-13, but its brightness will be affected by a large moon. For better views, observe before midnight or wait until August 15.
Jupiter-Venus-Mercury Parade
Every morning from August 17 to 20, Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury form an impressive arc in the pre-dawn sky. The highlight occurs on August 20, when the crescent moon is at a slimmer angle next to Venus.
Milky Way Visibility
The best views of the Milky Way will be available between August 16-26, during the month’s moonless evenings. Find the Summer Triangle stars in the southeast and track its arc through Scorpius and Sagittarius.
A ‘Black Moon’ New Moon
On Saturday, August 23, a seasonal new moon occurs, marking the start of an entire night with dark skies for stargazing and astronomy.
Venus and the Beehive Cluster
Finally, on August 31, look east an hour before sunrise to find Venus alongside the beautiful Beehive Cluster in Cancer.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2025/07/31/a-planet-parade-a-black-moon-and-a-meteor-shower-the-night-sky-in-august-2025