By Heather Durham | July 31, 2023
Greetings, young astronomers of New Hampshire! August is a wonderful month for stargazing in our region. The warm summer nights provide a perfect opportunity to explore the night sky with the naked eye. Let’s embark on a celestial journey to witness some fascinating astronomical events that will grace our skies throughout this month.
August 1: The Sturgeon Super Moon
To kick off the month, we have a remarkable event – the Sturgeon Moon! On this day, the Moon appears as a full super moon, shining brightly in the night sky. A super moon occurs when the Moon reaches its perigee, the closest point to Earth in its orbit. As a result, the Moon seems larger and more luminous than usual. The name “Sturgeon Moon” dates back to Native American tribes, who named it after the abundant sturgeon fish caught during this time of year.
August 3: The Moon and Saturn Conjunction
As we venture into the night of August 3rd, cast your gaze towards the eastern horizon. There, you’ll witness a celestial dance between the Moon and Saturn. These two celestial bodies will appear close together in what we call a conjunction. While you won’t need any special equipment to observe this event, a pair of binoculars might help you get a clearer view of Saturn’s majestic rings alongside our Moon.
August 8: The Moon and Jupiter Duo
Keep an eye on the eastern sky once again on August 8th, as the Moon and Jupiter will put on a delightful show. Both will appear in close proximity as they rise towards the right. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, will be a prominent and brilliant companion to the Moon. At the same time, today marks the first full Moon of the month, presenting a captivating sight known as the last quarter phase.
August 9: Half Phase of Mercury
On this day, let’s turn our attention to the innermost planet in our solar system – Mercury. Although observing Mercury can be a bit challenging due to its proximity to the Sun, on August 9th, it will be in a half phase. This means that we will see exactly half of Mercury illuminated by the Sun. Keep in mind that Mercury’s appearance quickly changes as it orbits between the Earth and the Sun, causing it to fade from view soon after.
August 13: The Perseid Meteor Shower Continues
Have you ever seen a shooting star? Well, you’re in for a treat! The Perseid Meteor Shower, one of the most popular annual meteor showers, started in July and will continue until around August 24th. This celestial spectacle occurs when the Earth passes through the debris left by Comet Swift-Tuttle. Find a dark spot away from city lights, lie back, and enjoy the show as bright meteors streak across the night sky.
August 18: K-Cygnid Meteor Shower Peak
Tonight’s the night for the K-Cygnid Meteor Shower! These meteors appear to radiate from the Constellation Draco, adding an extra touch of astronomical delight. Remember, you won’t need any fancy equipment to witness this event; just your eyes and a bit of patience will do the trick.
August 24: The First Quarter of the Second Moon
As the month progresses, we encounter the first quarter of the second full moon. A first quarter moon appears half-illuminated and is an ideal time for observing lunar features with just your naked eye or a basic pair of binoculars.
August 27: Saturn at Opposition
Today is a special day for observing Saturn! The ringed planet reaches opposition, which means it is directly opposite the Sun in the sky. As a result, Saturn will rise as the Sun sets and remain visible throughout the night. Don’t miss this chance to catch a glimpse of Saturn’s breathtaking rings through a telescope.
August 30: Saturn and the Blue Moon
We end the month with a fantastic finale! Saturn once again graces the night sky, rising alongside the Moon. But that’s not all; today’s full Moon is a Blue Moon – the second full Moon of the month. Moreover, this Moon also qualifies as another super moon, appearing larger and more awe-inspiring in our New Hampshire skies.
I hope you enjoy observing these celestial events in the beautiful nights of August in New Hampshire. Remember, the wonders of the universe are waiting for you to explore and appreciate. Happy stargazing!
References:
DEEPSPACE. (2023, July 24). Astronomical Events August 2023. YouTube, uploaded by DEEPSPACE. Retrieved from youtube/9A4PXo0OJOQ
Ford, D.F. (n.d.). July 2023. Retrieved from in-the-sky.org
Now Next. (2022, December). Don’t Miss These Astronomical Events in 2023. YouTube, uploaded by Now Next. Retrieved from youtube/qj6hbxbO9zc
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